MOSCOW, November 23. /TASS/. An expedition of the Russian Academy of Sciences' Siberian Branch found in the Norilsk Industrial District seven bird species, which are listed in the Red Data Books of Russia and the Krasnoyarsk Region. The scientists reported 18 whooper swans and two white-tailed eagles in the significant industrial impact area in Norilsk's Talnakh District, says the expedition's report, obtained by TASS.
"Over the work in the Norilsk Division's territory, experts found four species, which are listed in the Krasnoyarsk Region's Red Data Book: whooper swan, white-tailed eagle, peregrine falcon and gyrfalcon," the document reads. "Additionally, they registered three species listed in the Russian Federation's Red Data Book: European golden plover, black-throated loon, and bean goose (this list includes also white-tailed eagle, peregrine falcon and gyrfalcon)."
Whooper swan, white-tailed eagle, gyrfalcon, European golden plover are species of the third category (rare), peregrine falcon is of the fourth category (undetermined status), black-throated loon and bean goose are of the second category (declining in number and/or habitat).
Habitat
The scientists reported 18 whooper swans in the significant industrial impact area in Norilsk's Talnakh District, and in the medium impact area, in Valyok, they registered 34 birds. In the insignificant industrial impact zone, in Nadezhda, the experts saw 16 birds, and two birds lived not far from the Alykel airport. Two white-tailed eagles were observed in the significant industrial impact zone in Norilsk's Talnakh District.
Another two European golden plovers were seen in the insignificant industrial impact zone in Norilsk's Kayerkan District and by the river in the village of Nadezhda, as well as on the Dudinka - Alykel highway. The scientists saw black-throated loons in the zones of medium and insignificant industrial impact zones in the city of Dudinka, in Norilsk's Kayerkan District, as well as in the significant industrial impact zone in the village of Valyok, within Norilsk's boundaries. Three bean geese were observed in significant and medium industrial impact zones in the village of Nadezhda, and two birds were on the Dudinka - Alykel highway.
The expedition found white-tailed eagles, plovers, peregrine falcons, gyrfalcons and black-throated loons near Norilsk Nickel's industrial facilities at the gas fields located on the Yenisei River's left bank.
The terrestrial ecosystems studies were conducted at 41 sites on the Taimyr Peninsula, including near Dudinka, Kayerkan, Norilsk, Talnakh, which are located at different distances from Nornickel's enterprises in perceived areas of different impact degrees. The studies featured experts of the Russian Academy of Sciences' Siberian Branch: the Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, the Institute of Biophysics, the Central Siberian Botanical Garden, the Institute of Soil Science and AgroChemistry.
The basic biodiversity survey continues the work, which the Norilsk Nickel Company (Nornickel) and the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch began in 2020. Since the Great Norilsk Expedition, this work has extended into another three regions. The survey’s purpose is to identify Nornickel’s impact zones and to assess biodiversity in areas of Nornickel’s operations. The research results will be used in building out a corporate biodiversity management system and biodiversity monitoring and conservation programs.