The last intact forest ecosystems of the Archangelsk region: a summary report from 7 expeditions into Archangelsk remote forests 1997 - 2001

Abstract

Based on the initiative from the State Committee of the Environmental Protection of Archangelsk Oblast in 1993, the Program of the creation of new protected areas in Archangelsk Oblast became approved by the Oblasts administration in 1996. During the years 1997 – 2011 there has been 7 International expeditions into Archangelsk remote forests with the purpose to evaluate these forests for a possible network of protected areas. The expeditions have documented that in Archangelsk there are vast, unique areas of pristine forests. Much of it is old forests, but in a complex system of forest succession stages following natural fires and internal gap dynamics. Human influence of these forests is still insignificant and today they serve as the best preserved, large areas of its kind in Europe.