MOSCOW, March 31. /TASS/. The Russian Arctic Zone’s Red Data Book must be in the format of a database to ensure ongoing work, experts of the environmental watchdog, Rosprirodnadzor, said.
"The traditional format of a book cannot answer the requirements from users, including investors, regional officials and scientists," the Center for Development of the Arctic (PORA) said. "The Arctic Red Data Book’s new format <...> must be a database. This, for example, will make it possible to reflect data on species and taxa in relation to the environment."
Electronic databases can accumulate and analyze new scientific and monitoring information thus providing ongoing accuracy and update of the Red Data Book, PORA’s press service said. At the same time, an electronic version will have an option to regulate access for various categories of users to information on the species, which may have certain commercial values.
An electronic database, the press service continued, can give a comprehensive image of the situation in the Arctic Zone, thus users will not have to search for information in nine regional Red Data Books. The Arctic Red Data Book in the new format meets the goals and objectives of the Arctic Council’s working group on preservation of the Arctic flora and fauna. A broader initiative - Red Data Book of Circumpolar Flora and Fauna in the Arctic - may be implemented by the Arctic Council’s all member countries. In the future, the books from participating countries could be merged into one database. They may be used to make GIS mapping layers or to put information onto paper carriers.
"We must focus on the domestic ecology agenda now," the press service quoted Nikolay Doronin, PORA’s Chairman of the Board, as saying. "By having the Russian Arctic Red Data Book we will have an instrument to demonstrate responsible work in the Arctic Region - this is what Russia has announced as a motto at the Arctic Council."