Protection of phytodiversity in a mining area (Khibiny mts., Murmansk region)

The paper discusses regional protection of phytodiversity within well-developed mining area of the Arctic zone of Russia (case study of the Khibiny Mts and surrounding plain). A large industrial hub with mining and processing enterprises is situated there, and the resident population is over 80 000 people. The Khibiny Mts and their piedmont plain are characterized by an exceptional variety of landscapes and vegetation and also high biodiversity. Information on rare and endangered species of plants and lichens was collected through floristic and geobotanic surveying in 2010-2020s and the analysis of herbaria and published data. About 20% of the total number of rare and endangered species of the Murmansk Region was found in the Khibiny Mts and the adjacent plain, mainly within 11 special protected areas (SPA), which cover 123 220 ha. Some rare plants inhabit the anthropogenically transformed areas. The most critical factors of biodiversity loss in the Khibiny Mts are the expansion of mining industry, deforestation and fires. Organization of small SPA near mining areas and cities is very important because they essentially contribute to the conservation of regional biodiversity. The existence and evolution of a polarized landscape requires nature protection in the form of a large SPA, otherwise it is anthropogenically transformed and fragmented even in its remote areas, and loses its biodiversity. At present the existent system of SPAs makes the region a successful model of territorial conservation of biodiversity, which combines local and extensive areal protection of rare and endangered species and plant communities.

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