Significance of specially protected nature areas in protection of resource potential of urbanized regions (the case of Volgograd region)

Abstract

Strengthening of the functional role of cities in the development of regions is always associated with a change in local geographical characteristics connected with the joining of the areas beyond the fixed boundaries of urbanized territories. As a result of this process, the areas occupied by natural ecosystems are reduced, new resources are involved into the technogenic use, and the natural potential of the neighboring territories is exhausted and depleted. That is why such a method of resources’ protection as conservation of nature areas is of a particular importance for the regions with a high level of urbanization, for example, Volgograd region. The main idea of the article determined the logic and methods of research. The cartographic analysis made it possible to distinguish specially protected nature areas of the region according to their location in respect of urbanized administrative entities. On the basis of the statistical processing of the data found in the reports of the authorized regional authority, the current state and dynamics of development of specially protected nature areas are found according to categories, level of subordination, number, areas, types of resources’ diversity. Particular attention is paid to the degree of vulnerability and to the threats of the impact of human activity on nature and resource potential of specially protected nature areas when the cities are spatially planned. Attention is also paid to the ways of protection from negative effects. The study showed that the limitation of anthropogenic processes within the boundaries of specially protected nature areas makes it possible to preserve thousands of biological resources from destruction, protect hundreds of water sources from pollution, and provide a compliance of “friendly” human habitat to industrial and technological requirements. As a result, the article proves high importance of specially protected nature areas as a way of conservation of the natural potential of Volgograd region. It also determines the relevant tasks of security activities and methods for its effectiveness growth.