Animals of the Red Book of the Republic of Komi: list, description and characteristics

The basis of the integrity of the Earth's living envelope (biosphere) is the totality of the entire variety of species of microorganisms, plants, animals, fungi, etc., which were formed in the process of evolution. In this system there is nothing superfluous or unnecessary, one coherent mechanism works for millions of years. The development of human society, whose influence on wildlife is increasing year by year, is also associated with it. It is often not beneficial and as a result leads to the need to take measures aimed at preserving species diversity.

In the Republic of Komi, work of this kind has been conducted since the 80s. In 1998, the Red Book was established, which reflects all rare and endangered species. The periodicity of its publication is once in ten years. Animals of the Red Book of the Republic of Komi are estimated according to six criteria and categories characterizing the status of the species.

Criteria for evaluation

• 0 - probably extinct or extinct, that is, they previously inhabited the territory of the Republic, but for the last 100 or 50 years (for invertebrates and vertebrates, respectively) their presence was not confirmed.
• 1 - are under threat of extinction, that is, whose number has fallen to a critical level with the probability that in the near future they may completely disappear.
• 2 - species, the number of which is constantly decreasing.
• 3 - rare. These include populations, subspecies, which live in a limited area with a naturally low population.
• 4 - undefined status, that is, about which insufficient information is collected, but, probably, they belong to one of the listed categories.
• 5 - recoverable or restored. Microorganisms, animals and plants of the Red Book of the Republic of Komi, the number of which is close to the figure when they will not need protection and assistance.

Mushrooms

One of the most mysterious and interesting kingdoms for science is the Mushrooms. Currently includes about one and a half million species. In the Red Book of Komi it is represented by two divisions and 42 species. Including:

• Autumnal line - grows in coniferous, small-leaved and mixed forests, is not found every year, as individual specimens in the Vychegda river basin;
• A morocco cap - humus saprotroph, is rare, solitary, in many respects similar to the previous species;
• White oil can (photo above) - widespread in Russia, but on the territory of Komi is rare, the main reason - the destruction of places of its growth.

Seaweed

Contrary to popular belief, not only birds, plants and animals are protected. The Red Book of the Republic of Komi also includes representatives of the oldest spore organisms (algae) belonging to the sub-kingdom of lower plants. In total, there are four species: the river Lemaney, the nostril plum, the capilliform tolipella, the common hara. The first is a column-like algae, reaching up to 4 cm in size. If taken on a world scale, then this is a cosmopolitan species, widespread. However, in Komi only small populations in rivers and tundra lakes are noted.

Lemanea river has a large thallus up to 30 cm long, usually simple, much less abundantly branched. Color specific: dark purple, brown, pinkish. A rare species of red alga in the world, in Komi only 4 populations are found. The same can be said about the tolypeel spiky, growing at the bottom of tundra lakes. Populations and their numbers are poorly understood, but they need to be protected, since in Russia it grows only in the tundra.

Plants of the Red Book

The entire flora of the Komi Republic includes 1158 species of plants (vascular), of which about 1000 belong to the taiga zone and 500 to the tundra zone. The dominion belongs to the representatives of angiosperms. Of particular note are some species. For example, Siberian pine cedar (photo), which is mistakenly called cedar. This tall tree (34-35 m) has a spreading crone and lives, according to some sources, up to 500 years, is particularly appreciated for nutlets rich in useful compounds. It is assessed according to the second criterion, the reason is fires and logging by poachers. Also in the book are various species of sedge, bogs, bluegrass, Siberian iris, violets, elm (smooth and rough), etc.

Chord animals listed in the Red Book of the Komi Republic are numerous and diverse, so we will consider more specifically each class.

Fish class

The beautiful reservoirs of the republic have become home to 44 species of bone fish. Harsh climatic conditions and a large number of rivers and lakes have determined the role of fishing as a traditional occupation in the region. This factor combined with poaching, pollution of lakes and rivers, industrial development of the territory led to a decrease in the number of commercial fish. The following are under threat:

• Taimen is an ordinary fish, preferring to live in clean mountain rivers with a rapid current. Previously there were specimens up to 70 kg, but the last caught individuals were not more than 4 kg. These chordates of the Red Book of the Republic of Komi are small due to the limited ecological niche.
• Siberian sturgeon - a very large fish up to 1.5 m in length and an average weight of 50 kg. Very rare species due to active poaching and pollution of water bodies.
• Nelma - a large river fish, the problem lies in the contamination of spawning grounds and feeding grounds.

In addition, the Arctic Arctic char, the Siberian grayling, and the ordinary underbody are listed in the book.

Reptiles, or Amphibians

These animals of the Red Book of the Republic of Komi refer to primitive vertebrates, leading a water or semi-aquatic life. The section is represented by only two species. The first one is a Siberian angler. It has an oblong and round body with a broad and flattened head. The size of adults in the length of 11-15 cm. The reasons for its small number have been little studied, but according to some information this is associated with the relict of settlement. The second type is a red bellied whisk. Small amphibia up to 5-6 cm in size with a bright orange or red belly covered with purple stains. The threat lies in the contamination of its habitats or their transformation.

Birds

In the Republic of Komi 250 species of birds nest. Among them, the Red Data Book of the region includes the following: large and red-necked grebe, European black-throated loon, common and minor bittern, small and swan-swan, Red-breasted Goose, gray goose, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Osprey, Peregrine falcon, Siberian goat, gray crane, quail, reed, coot, corncrake, magpie-magpie, dopel, great godparnee, eagle owl, white owl, gray, bearded and long-tailed owl, eagle owl, common shrike and nightingale.

The Red Book of the Republic of Komi (animals): a list of mammals

These are the most highly organized chordates, they are characterized by a complex structure of the nervous system and, as a consequence, complex adaptive and behavioral responses. In the Republic there are 60 species of mammals, and five are classified as rare and endangered.

• The reindeer is a migratory species, is prone to danger mainly because of poaching. Long since the Polar peoples is considered a valuable source of meat and materials.
• Northern pika - a small animal, in size and appearance resembling a rat, but with a short tail, round ears, color - rusty-yellow. The threat poses the industrial development of lands, which destroys the habitats of the animal.
• The badger is also included in the list of "Animals of the Red Book of the Republic of Komi", although it is quite common in the Russian Federation. The small size of the population is associated with a limited food base, severe climatic conditions, extermination by poachers.
• The European mink lives in many regions of Russia, but in Komi is small, the reasons are unknown, perhaps due to changes in living conditions.
• Brown bunting is a small bat, the reason for its low prevalence is very cold winters and deforestation.

As you know, everything in the world is in balance, but under the influence of man's economic activity, it can easily move in an unfavorable direction. Rarely, but there are cases and the reverse, when the rare animals of the Red Book of the Komi Republic are themselves restored. Forest ferret - a direct example of this. It was listed in the first edition, but by now the population has recovered and does not cause fear from zoologists, and therefore the animal is excluded from the list.