RESEARCH
Scientific work in Pasvik Nature Reserve includes:

  • scientific research,
  • ecological monitoring.

Pasvik Nature Reserve conducts:

  • flora and fauna inventories,
  • thematic mapping,
  • researching the ecology of particular object groups,
  • researching the current state and the development dynamics of primary ecosystems,
  • solving fundamental research and practical issues.
RESEARCH
Scientific work in the nature reserve within the regulations currently consists
of:

  • exploratory research and
  • environmental monitoring.

Pasvik Nature Reserve conducts:

  • flora and fauna inventories,
  • thematic mapping,
  • research on ecology of particular groups of objects,
  • research on current state and dynamics of development of primary ecosystems.
And solves fundamental scientific and practical problems.
The scientists work both on the territory of the nature reserve and in the closest surrounding areas. Since the middle of the 1990s the research has been conducted across from the central part of the nature reserve in the mountain area of Kaskama and Korablekk. Since 2017 this area belongs to Korablekk Nature Park. To the south from the nature reserve near Rajakoski and Janiskoski villages there are several monitoring routes and monitoring spots.

In the first decade the nature reserve carried out inventories of flora and fauna, laid the foundations for monitoring of natural processes, and worked on Nature Chronicles program (Philonov, Nukhimovskaya, 1987; Nature Chronicles, 1997–2014; Makarova, Polikarpova, 2008).
Later the range of scientific activities expanded: fundamental biological and geographical research and ecological monitoring in the areas of industrial facilities have started, the number of international research projects significantly increased (Polikarpova, 2006; Khlebosolov et al., 2007; Makarova, 2008; Sobchuk, Zatsarinny, 2011; Kolskaya.., 2012; Kuznetsov et al., 2012, 2013; Polikarpova et al., 2013).
International Research
Since 1993 Pasvik Nature Reserve together with the Norwegian side have been conducting international transboundary research in the Pasvik River valley.

In 1993 registration of small mammals has started on both banks of the Pasvik River - at Kalkupya (Russia) and Rovavaara (Norway) stations.

Since 1994 the international registration of the waterfowl has been conducted in the Pasvik River - from the former Hestefoss rapid to Jordanfoss at the joint wetland called Fjärvann/Heyhenjärvi/Schaanning Research Site/ or Puhozero. On the Russian side this site was included to the Strategical List of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar List) in 2000. The international registration takes place four times a year: twice in spring and twice in autumn. The research is a part of cooperation within the Pasvik-Inari Trilateral Park. Pasvik Nature Reserve and the Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomic Research (NIBIO) Svanhovd are responsible for the action.
International Research
Since 1993 Pasvik Nature Reserve and colleagues from Norway have been conducting international transboundary research in the Pasvik River valley.

In 1993 countings of small mammals began on both banks of the Pasvik River: at the Kalkupya (Russia) and Rovavaara (Norway) stations.

Since 1994 an international countings of waterbirds has been conducted in the Pasvik River from the former Hestefoss rapid to Jordanfoss at the joint wetland called Fjärvann/Heyhenjärvi/Schaanning Research Site/ or Puhozero. On the Russian side, this site was included to the Strategical List of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar List) in 2000. The international count route is surveyed four times a year: twice in spring and twice in autumn. The research is a part of cooperation within the Pasvik-Inari Trilateral Park. Pasvik Nature Reserve and the Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomic Research (NIBIO) Svanhovd are responsible for the research.
Since 2007 Pasvik Nature Reserve together with the NIBIO Svanhovd and Finnish colleagues from Metsähallitus (Lapland Parks and Wildlife) have been carrying out the brown bear monitoring in the Pasvik River valley, using non-inntrusive methods like DNA-analysis and camera traps. Learn more about brown bear monitoring here.

Since 2017 Russian and Norwegian scientists have started regular ichthyological research in the Pasvik River, first and foremost they study salmonides, genetic characteristics, ecology and toxicology of fish.

Pasvik Nature Reserve faces complex and impressive tasks to improve the scientific program and the associated monitoring network.

This is important for the research within the Pasvik-Inari Trilateral Park, for the studying of the climate change impact in the Barents Region, for the state assessment of the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems affected by industrial enterprises - hydropower and water level regulations in the Inari Lake and the Pasvik River, mining sites in Nikel, and closing of the smelter in 2020.
O. Makarova - science pioneer
Since the establishment and till the beginning of 2005 scientific research in Pasvik Nature Reserve was conducted by Olga Makarova, deputy director for science, PhD, honored ecologist of the Russian Federation. She played a very important role in the development of science, ecological education and international cooperation between Russia, Norway and Finland.

During the first five years the inventories of the key protected species were made, lists of flora and fauna species were arranged and published. It was a challenging task, but the scientists from the eldest nature reserves in the Murmansk region - Laplandsky and Kandalakshsky - came to the aid together with Kola Science Centre, Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden and many other universities.
Основатель научной работы в Пасвике — О. А. Макарова
From the time when Pasvik Nature Reserve was founded to the beginning of 2005 Olga Makarova was the chief scientist. Makarova was a Deputy Director for Science and Research, Ph. D in Biology and Honored Environmentalist of Russia. Her role in the development of science, environmental education and international relations at the borders of Russia, Norway and Finland can’t be overstated.

During the first five years scientists conducted inventories of the key objects of conservation, made and published list of plants and animals. Definitely, it was not easy to invite experts for this work. Scientists from the following institutions helped the nature reserve: Lapland and Kandalaksha Nature Reserves (the oldest ones in Murmansk Region), Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Avrorin Polar-Alpine Botanical Garden and many Russian universities from.
It was important to disseminate information about the new nature reserve and thanks to O.Makarova the annual report on the state of nature ecosystems and species - Nature Chronicles - has been published. (Nature Chronicles..., 1997–2011).

Nature Chronicles - the monitoring of natural processes and phenomena throughout the year - is the top priority of the Department for Science. Learn more about Nature Chronicles here.
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