Forecasting the impact on endangered wildlife species affected by the planned restoration of wetlands after peat mining (Nizhny Novgorod region, Russia)

Abstract

This paper is aimed to generalize and analyze information about endangered wildlife species in the disturbed fen site (comparing the state of surrounding wetlands) to predict their condition during rehabilitation and restoration of the site and subsequent monitoring during successional processes in the wetland ecosystems. The research was carried out on the territory of the Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO “Nizhegorodskoe Zavolzhye” on the example of the Kamskoe–Osinovye Kotly mire, which is a part of the Ramsar wetlands “Kama-Bakaldino Mires” (Nizhny Novgorod region). The area of the mire is about 15,000 hectares. A part of the mire with a total area of 2,770 hectares was drained and disturbed as a result of peat extraction since the 1970s to 1990s. We carried out surveys of flora and vegetation counts of small mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, butterflies and moths in 2021. Also for the analysis we used research data obtained in 1981-2019. A total of 58 endangered wildlife species listed in the Red Data Book of the Nizhny Novgorod region were registered in the studied territory, 14 species of which were discovered here for the first time. The location of the site which are planned to be restored, in the central part of the mire, surrounded by undisturbed communities is a condition for its successful restoration with the full biota after watering. Secondary watering of the site of former peat mining will not cause damage to endangered wildlife species. To maintain biodiversity and conserve the complex of meadow and semi-forest species we recommend carrying out the haymaking in the open spaces adjacent to the mire on the territory of the projected national park. Also we believe the succession processes in the mire and the endangered wildlife species conditions to have to be controlled.