International Scientific Cooperation
Sustainable development of the Pechora region in a Changing Environment and society (SPICE)
BRIEF PREHISTORY OF PROJECT
The Pechora region, which includes the North and East of the Komi Republic and a major part of the Nenets Autonomous Region, faces considerable challenges both in terms of socio-economic development and environmental conditions. The region has extraordinary natural resources, both renewable (e.g. forests) and non-renewable (e.g. coal, oil and gas). In addition, traditional livelihoods such as reindeer herding and fishing are important subsistence factors. In terms of the environment, the region is unique in continental Europe with extensive lowland tundra and permafrost in the North and the largest continuous old-growth taiga forest in the Ural mountains. The Pechora region has also a range of anthropogenic impacts, from almost uninhabited to relatively densely populated regions, from Indigenous economies to modern industries, and from pristine to heavily polluted areas.
Like the rest of Russia, the Pechora region faces economic difficulties related to the transition from a centralized system to a market economy. The conditions in the region are very special due to its rich renewable and non-renewable resources and its northern location. The oil and gas are of particular strategic importance to the region and to the European Union, and are expected to expand significantly. Some segments of the coal industry are in decline due to poor quality of the coal and expensive transport costs. Both the booming oil and gas sectors and the prospects of closing coal mines bring about significant risks of environmental pollution. The forestry sector has a high economic potential but management practices need to safeguard the high biodiversity. As a result of the present difficult economic times, an informal economy is prominent which if maintained could result in over-harvesting of wildlife and fish populations.
DATES OF IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECT
2000-2003
FUNDING ORGANIZATION
INCO-COPERNICUS 2 Programme of the
European Commission
PROJECT CO-ORDINATORS
Dr P.Kuhry, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland Dr V. Ponomarev, Institute of Biology, Syktyvkar, Russia
RESPONSIBLE SCIENTISTS
- Dr V. Ponomarev
- Dr O. Lavrinenko
- Dr. C. Bobkova
