Director of the Pasvik Nature Reserve Natalya Polikarpova, PhD in Geography, speaks about the problems, key projects and Nornickel’s role in scientific research at the Reserve.
What makes the Pasvik Nature Reserve unique?
First and foremost, the uniqueness of our reserve lies in its geographical location at Russia’s Norway border. Russia has few protected areas located along national borders. Pasvik’s western border is the state border, with Norway, and the entire territory is located outside the boundaries of engineering facilities. So we always coordinate our field activities with the Border Service.
The reserve’s second unique feature is that it is the first nature reserve created in Russia after the collapse of the USSR, on July 16, 1992.
Its third distinctive feature has to do with its geographical position: the valley of the Pasvik River is the border between the northern taiga and wooded tundra, which gives way to the tundra. The reserve preserves and studies pine forests located at the edge of the pine range in Europe.
Furthermore, it aims to preserve vast wetlands and a wide array of waterfowl and shorebirds, including ducks, geese, swans, various gull species and waders — 242 species in total.
First and foremost, the uniqueness of our reserve lies in its geographical location at Russia’s Norway border. Russia has few protected areas located along national borders. Pasvik’s western border is the state border, with Norway, and the entire territory is located outside the boundaries of engineering facilities. So we always coordinate our field activities with the Border Service.
The reserve’s second unique feature is that it is the first nature reserve created in Russia after the collapse of the USSR, on July 16, 1992.
Its third distinctive feature has to do with its geographical position: the valley of the Pasvik River is the border between the northern taiga and wooded tundra, which gives way to the tundra. The reserve preserves and studies pine forests located at the edge of the pine range in Europe.
Furthermore, it aims to preserve vast wetlands and a wide array of waterfowl and shorebirds, including ducks, geese, swans, various gull species and waders — 242 species in total.
Threats to biodiversity
What are the current threats to the reserve’s ecosystem?
We regularly conduct environmental monitoring of various ecosystems. It is fair to say that there are few natural threats. One of them is insect population spikes in the North. But we keep things under control, the forests are stable.
Negative anthropogenic influences are more pronounced. Seven hydroelectric power plants were built on the Pasvik River, of which five are Russian and two are Norwegian. As a result, the river is regimented, and fish populations are isolated. We have been studying the genetic diversity of fish and can tell that the hydropower facilities have taken a toll; fish populations sometimes differ significantly from one another. There are also water-level fluctuations: rising water levels cause flooding, while dropping water levels cause shorelines to advance.
It can’t be good for wetland flora and fauna: vegetation, invertebrates, fish, and birds. Until the end of 2020, the smelting shop of the Nornickel’s Kola Division was in operation in the town of Nikel and exacted a toll on the local ecosystems, including those in the reserve. After the shop was closed and the threat was removed, the ecosystems began restoring themselves.
Unauthorized grazing of Norwegian domesticated reindeer also poses a serious threat. They regularly cross the state border searching for food, since there’s nothing left for them to eat in Norway and Finland. Reindeer disturb and eat lichens, which can lead to the extinction of various species and cause changes in forest ecosystems, including soil erosion.
We regularly conduct environmental monitoring of various ecosystems. It is fair to say that there are few natural threats. One of them is insect population spikes in the North. But we keep things under control, the forests are stable.
Negative anthropogenic influences are more pronounced. Seven hydroelectric power plants were built on the Pasvik River, of which five are Russian and two are Norwegian. As a result, the river is regimented, and fish populations are isolated. We have been studying the genetic diversity of fish and can tell that the hydropower facilities have taken a toll; fish populations sometimes differ significantly from one another. There are also water-level fluctuations: rising water levels cause flooding, while dropping water levels cause shorelines to advance.
It can’t be good for wetland flora and fauna: vegetation, invertebrates, fish, and birds. Until the end of 2020, the smelting shop of the Nornickel’s Kola Division was in operation in the town of Nikel and exacted a toll on the local ecosystems, including those in the reserve. After the shop was closed and the threat was removed, the ecosystems began restoring themselves.
Unauthorized grazing of Norwegian domesticated reindeer also poses a serious threat. They regularly cross the state border searching for food, since there’s nothing left for them to eat in Norway and Finland. Reindeer disturb and eat lichens, which can lead to the extinction of various species and cause changes in forest ecosystems, including soil erosion.
Sustainable tourism
What do tourists need to know in order to visit nature reserves without harming nature?
There is such a thing as sustainable tourism. It refers to tourism that is low-impact and helps conserve nature. When visitors develop an environmental mindset, they may want to become eco-volunteers, help protect natural areas, and sort garbage.
Effective interaction between government authorities, businesses and environmental organizations is the backbone of sustainable tourism. Such interaction is essential to building an appropriate infrastructure, regulating the visitor flow, controlling their impact on the ecosystem, preventing forest fires, and engaging people in the local economy and nature conservation.
What advice would you give to people who want to be sustainable tourists?
First of all, leave nature as you found it. Or better. For example, if you spot a piece of garbage during your outing, as a responsible tourist you should pick it up and take it away.
Visitors should remember about fire seasons. During such periods, setting fire in undesignated places is prohibited. Designated fire pits are usually marked on tourist maps, trail signs, route and eco-trail plans. If there are no designated fire pits, it means that lighting fires is prohibited altogether. And the prohibition should be taken seriously. Humans cause over 90% of wildfires.
Also, you should behave delicately when you are in the wilderness: do not make noise, do not destroy anthills, do not pick up chicks, do not catch and take home wild animals. Do not feed wildlife because it teaches animals to associate humans with food. Feeding wild animals alienates them from nature.
In an attempt to take a selfie or a stunning shot, people destroy wildlife and fauna. By posting such photos online, they behave irresponsibly and encourage bad behavior in others by making them think that such behavior is appropriate. We spend a lot of time and effort trying to beat these stereotypes.
There is such a thing as sustainable tourism. It refers to tourism that is low-impact and helps conserve nature. When visitors develop an environmental mindset, they may want to become eco-volunteers, help protect natural areas, and sort garbage.
Effective interaction between government authorities, businesses and environmental organizations is the backbone of sustainable tourism. Such interaction is essential to building an appropriate infrastructure, regulating the visitor flow, controlling their impact on the ecosystem, preventing forest fires, and engaging people in the local economy and nature conservation.
What advice would you give to people who want to be sustainable tourists?
First of all, leave nature as you found it. Or better. For example, if you spot a piece of garbage during your outing, as a responsible tourist you should pick it up and take it away.
Visitors should remember about fire seasons. During such periods, setting fire in undesignated places is prohibited. Designated fire pits are usually marked on tourist maps, trail signs, route and eco-trail plans. If there are no designated fire pits, it means that lighting fires is prohibited altogether. And the prohibition should be taken seriously. Humans cause over 90% of wildfires.
Also, you should behave delicately when you are in the wilderness: do not make noise, do not destroy anthills, do not pick up chicks, do not catch and take home wild animals. Do not feed wildlife because it teaches animals to associate humans with food. Feeding wild animals alienates them from nature.
In an attempt to take a selfie or a stunning shot, people destroy wildlife and fauna. By posting such photos online, they behave irresponsibly and encourage bad behavior in others by making them think that such behavior is appropriate. We spend a lot of time and effort trying to beat these stereotypes.
Cooperation with Nornickel
What implications does Nornickel's ESG strategy have for the Pasvik Nature Reserve?
We have been working with Nornickel for years and have implemented many projects. One of the biggest and most successful projects involved the construction of the Pasvik Nature Reserve visitor center in the town of Nikel. Previously, the reserve had no visitor center.
We have been working with Nornickel for years and have implemented many projects. One of the biggest and most successful projects involved the construction of the Pasvik Nature Reserve visitor center in the town of Nikel. Previously, the reserve had no visitor center.
Before it came into existence, we would ask schools and kindergartens for permission to hold our events on their premises, and sometimes we would be allowed to use a room in the administrative office or the library. It went on for 10 years.
Then the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment provided us with a building, which Nornickel and the Kola Division fully renovated and furnished. The visitor center opened its doors in 2017, the Year of Ecology in Russia. The center accommodates an interactive multimedia museum space, a laboratory, a conference room, a coffee area and employee offices.
Please tell us about joint projects that aim to protect the environment in the region.
Together with the Russian Academy of Sciences and Russia’s leading universities we are studying ecosystems and their components in the northwest of the Murmansk region, close to the industrial estates of Nikel and Zapolyarny. The company receives annual reports. Research results are not swept under the carpet, they actually get published. Nornickel encourages honest dialogue, so if there is contamination, we talk about it. Our work benefits the company, community and authorities and helps them quickly respond to threats.
Also, Nornickel supports studies of ecosystems in the Murmansk region. The company gave us a mobile environmental lab for fieldwork. We have been using it since 2018 and want to upgrade it: we have ideas on how to use it, not only for fieldwork, but also for eco-tourism involving researchers.
We use the lab to study species on the Red List. This year we plan to study the European pearl mussel, a rare Red List species. This freshwater mollusk is at risk of becoming extinct. This is due to various factors, including pearl hunting which has been practiced since the beginning of the 20th century, and overfishing of salmon.
Everything in nature is interconnected: the mollusk’s livelihood depends on salmon since its larvae live on the gills of fish. The Nornickel’s Kola Division proposed a project to study and protect pearl mussels as Pasvik’s flagship species. We have the necessary competencies and a team of professionals who have experience in this area. This year we plan to take the lab out for additional research in several rivers.
In general, the company’s support makes a big difference. It is not only about funding, although it makes it so much easier for us to keep the environmental situation under control and communicate with residents and visitors. What matters just as much is the company management’s fundamental position, which gives preference to environmental projects, encourages honest dialogue with nature protection institutions and fosters cooperation.
Then the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment provided us with a building, which Nornickel and the Kola Division fully renovated and furnished. The visitor center opened its doors in 2017, the Year of Ecology in Russia. The center accommodates an interactive multimedia museum space, a laboratory, a conference room, a coffee area and employee offices.
Please tell us about joint projects that aim to protect the environment in the region.
Together with the Russian Academy of Sciences and Russia’s leading universities we are studying ecosystems and their components in the northwest of the Murmansk region, close to the industrial estates of Nikel and Zapolyarny. The company receives annual reports. Research results are not swept under the carpet, they actually get published. Nornickel encourages honest dialogue, so if there is contamination, we talk about it. Our work benefits the company, community and authorities and helps them quickly respond to threats.
Also, Nornickel supports studies of ecosystems in the Murmansk region. The company gave us a mobile environmental lab for fieldwork. We have been using it since 2018 and want to upgrade it: we have ideas on how to use it, not only for fieldwork, but also for eco-tourism involving researchers.
We use the lab to study species on the Red List. This year we plan to study the European pearl mussel, a rare Red List species. This freshwater mollusk is at risk of becoming extinct. This is due to various factors, including pearl hunting which has been practiced since the beginning of the 20th century, and overfishing of salmon.
Everything in nature is interconnected: the mollusk’s livelihood depends on salmon since its larvae live on the gills of fish. The Nornickel’s Kola Division proposed a project to study and protect pearl mussels as Pasvik’s flagship species. We have the necessary competencies and a team of professionals who have experience in this area. This year we plan to take the lab out for additional research in several rivers.
In general, the company’s support makes a big difference. It is not only about funding, although it makes it so much easier for us to keep the environmental situation under control and communicate with residents and visitors. What matters just as much is the company management’s fundamental position, which gives preference to environmental projects, encourages honest dialogue with nature protection institutions and fosters cooperation.
October, 2023
