Environmental Transboundary Territories of Siberia and the Far East

Abstract

A specific feature of the term “transboundary” is defined, which is usually perceived as an opportunity to overcome the borders separating the territory, and is used as opposed to the “frontier” objects adjacent to the border but not crossing it. Transboundary interstate territories are discussed, where only regulated activities may be carried out, such as nature conservation in solving the problem of preserving biotic and landscape diversity where a poor involvement of border areas in economic activity ensures an adequate degree of ecosystem preservation. A possibility of establishing transboundary specially protected natural areas arises in the most significant (in terms of natural diversity conservation) areas adjacent to the borders of neighboring States. The main condition for the effective functioning of transboundary specially protected natural areas implies signing bilateral agreements or agreements between a large number of countries with the aim of developing joint scientific and tourist programs as well as weakening of border control. Issues related to the theoretical and practical substantiation of the establishment of transboundary specially protected natural areas are considered. As of the beginning of 2019, there are five such areas established in accordance with interstate agreements: “Altai”, “Dauria”, “Sources of the Amur”, “Lake Khanka” and “Ubsunur Depression”. The most important planned transboundary specially protected natural areas of the Asian part of Russia are also highlighted. The relatively well investigated areas include “Amur Tiger and Leopard”, “Delger-Muren”, “From Khubsugul to Baikal”, “Khentei-Chikoi Highland”, “Sailyugem”, “Sayan Junction”, “Selenga”, “Tumangan”, “Southern Kuriles”, and “Beringia”.