The integrity of the Earth’s living shell (biosphere) is based on the totality of the variety of species of microorganisms, plants, animals, fungi, etc. that have formed during evolution. There is nothing superfluous or unnecessary in this system; one well-coordinated mechanism has been working for millions of years. The development of human society is also associated with it, the influence of which on the wildlife is only increasing from year to year. It is often not beneficial and as a result leads to the need for measures aimed at maintaining species diversity.
In the Komi Republic, work of this kind has been going on since the 80s. In 1998, the Red Book was established, which reflects all rare and endangered species. The frequency of its publication is once every ten years. Red Book animals of the Komi Republic are evaluated according to six criteria and categories characterizing the status of the species.
Criteria for evaluation
- 0 - probably, extinct or extinct, that is, they previously lived on the territory of the Republic, but over the past 100 or 50 years (for invertebrates and vertebrates, respectively), their presence has not been confirmed.
- 1 - are threatened with extinction, that is, their numbers have decreased to a critical level with the probability that in the near future they can completely disappear.
- 2 - species, the number of which is steadily declining.
- 3 - rare. These include populations, subspecies that live in a limited area with naturally low numbers.
- 4 - the status is uncertain, that is, about which insufficient information has been collected, but they probably belong to one of the listed categories.
- 5 - recovering or restored. Microorganisms, animals and plants of the Red Book of the Komi Republic, the number of which is approaching that figure when they will not need protection and assistance.
Mushrooms
One of the most mysterious and interesting kingdoms for science - Mushrooms. Currently includes about one and a half million species. In the Red Book of Komi, it is represented by two departments and 42 species. Including:
- autumn line - it grows in coniferous, small-leaved and mixed forests, it is found not every year, by individual specimens in the Vychegda river basin;
- morel cap - humus saprotroph, is rare, solitary, in many ways similar to the previous species;
- white oiler (photo above) is widespread in Russia, but is rare in Komi, the main reason is the destruction of its places of growth.
Seaweed
Contrary to popular belief, not only birds, plants and animals are protected. Representatives of the oldest spore organisms (algae) belonging to the kingdom of lower plants also got the Red Book of the Komi Republic. There are four types of them: river lemaney, plum-shaped nostrum, spiky tolipella, and common hara. The first is a columnar algae, reaching a size of up to 4 cm. If taken on a global scale, then this is a cosmopolitan species, widespread. However, only small populations in rivers and tundra lakes are noted in Komi.
River Leman has a large thallus up to 30 cm long, usually simple, much less abundantly branched. Specific color: dark purple, brown, pinkish. A rare species of red algae in the world, only 4 populations are found in Komi. The same can be said about the spiky tolipella, growing at the bottom of tundra lakes. Populations and their numbers have been little studied, but need protection, since in Russia it grows only in the tundra.
Red Book Plants
The whole flora of the Komi Republic totals 1,158 species of plants (vascular), of which about 1,000 belong to the taiga zone and 500 to the tundra. Dominance belongs to representatives of the angiosperms. Of particular note are some species. For example, Siberian cedar pine (photo), which is mistakenly called cedar. This tall tree (34-35 m) has a spreading crown and lives, according to some sources, up to 500 years old, especially valued for nuts rich in useful compounds. Assessed by the second criterion, the reason is fires and deforestation by poachers. The book also presents various types of sedge, swamp, bluegrass, Siberian iris, violets, elm (smooth and rough), etc.
Chordate animals listed in the Red Book of the Komi Republic are numerous and diverse, so we will consider more specifically for each class.
Fish class
The most beautiful reservoirs of the republic have become home to 44 species of bone fish. Severe climatic conditions and a large number of rivers and lakes have determined the role of fishing as a traditional occupation in the region. This factor, together with poaching, pollution of lakes and rivers, industrial development of the territory led to a decrease in the number of commercial fish. The following are at risk, including the following.
- Common Taimen - a fish that prefers to live in clean mountain rivers with a fast flow. Previously, specimens of up to 70 kg were found, but the last caught individuals were no more than 4 kg. These chord animals of the Red Book of the Komi Republic are few in number due to the limited ecological niche.
- Siberian sturgeon is a very large fish up to 1.5 m in length and with an average weight of 50 kg. Very rare species due to active poaching and pollution of water bodies.
- Nelma is a large river fish, the problem lies in the pollution of spawning and feeding areas.
In addition, Arctic char, Siberian grayling, and ordinary sculpin are listed in the Book.
Reptiles, or Amphibians
These animals of the Red Book of the Republic of Komi belong to primitive vertebrates, leading an aquatic or semi-aquatic lifestyle. The section is presented in only two types. The first is the Siberian coal-toothed. It has an elongated and rounded body with a wide and flattened head. The size of adult individuals is 11-15 cm in length. The reasons for its small number have been little studied, but according to some data this is associated with the relict of resettlement. The second species is the red-bellied toad. Small amphibian up to 5-6 cm in size with a bright orange or red belly covered with purple spots. The threat lies in the pollution of its habitats or their transformation.
Birds
In the Komi Republic, 250 species of birds nest. Of these, the following are listed in the Red Book of the region: large and red-necked grebe, European black-throated loon, common bittern and small, small and whooper swan, red-throated goose, gray goose, piskulka, osprey, marsh harrier, golden eagle, beetle, white-tailed eagle, peregrine falcon, small falcon, gyrfalcon, gray crane, quail, moorhen, coot, coriander, sandpiper, magpie, red hollow, great gingerbread, owl, white owl, gray, bearded and long-tailed owl, eagle owl, common shrike and red nightingale.
Komi Republic Red Book (animals): list of mammals
These are the most highly organized chordal animals, they are characterized by a complex structure of the nervous system and, as a result, difficult adaptive and behavioral reactions. 60 species of mammals live in the Republic, and five are classified as rare and endangered.
- Reindeer is a migratory species, threatened mainly by poaching. It has long been considered among the polar peoples a valuable source of meat and materials.
- The northern pika is a small animal, resembling a rat in size and appearance, but with a short tail, rounded ears, its color is rusty yellow. The threat is the industrial development of land, destroying the habitat of the animal.
- The badger is also included in the list of "Animals of the Red Book of the Republic of Komi", although it is a fairly common species within the Russian Federation. The small population is associated with a limited food supply, harsh climatic conditions, and extermination by poachers.
- European mink lives in many regions of Russia, but is not numerous in Komi, the reasons are unknown, possibly due to changes in living conditions.
- Brown earflaps are small bat, the reason for the low prevalence is very cold winters and deforestation.
As you know, everything in the world is in equilibrium, but under the influence of human economic activity it can easily shift in an unfavorable direction. Rarely, but there are cases and the opposite, when rare animals of the Red Book of the Komi Republic are independently restored. Forest ferret is a direct example of this. It was listed in the first edition, but so far the population has recovered and does not cause concern from zoologists, and therefore the animal is excluded from the list.