EXTRACTS FROM THE JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SECOND
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE ROLE OF PROTECTED AREAS IN PRESERVING EURASIA'S
DISAPPEARING STEPPES AND THE EIGHTH CIS MEETING ON MARMOTS, MARMOTS IN STEPPE
BIOCENOSES OF EURASIA
The Second International Conference on the role of protected areas in preserving
Eurasia's disappearing Steppes and the Eighth CIS Meeting on Marmots devoted
to marmots in steppe biocenoses of Eurasia took place June 7 - 10, 2002, in
Cheboksary, Chuvash (Russia), within the framework of European Parks Day 2002
(Europark - 2002). These scientific forums were organized by the Prisursky State
Nature Reserve and the Russian Academy of Sciences' Mammalogy Society (its Commission
for Study Marmots). The CIS Meeting was a success thanks to the Chuvash Ministry
of Nature Use and Land Resources, the Chuvash Ecology Fund and the Zapovedniki
Ecology Center.
Prisursky State Nature Reserve published two volumes of scientific studies
ahead of the conference. The published materials were based on research from
Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia.
More than 40 experts in the study of steppes and marmots from Russia (Novosibirsk,
Kemerovo, Orenburg, Moscow, Nizhni Novgorod, Kazan, Saransk, Samara, Cheboksary)
and the Ukraine (Kharkov) participated in the Conference and the Meeting. During
the plenary meetings, participants heard and discussed 38 scientific reports
on various issues related to marmot and steppe eco-system studies and preservation
work. These included a report on the activities of the Mammalogy Society's Commission
to Study Marmots between the since the last (Seventh) Meeting on Marmots. Within
the framework of the Conference on steppes, an expedition group from the Steppe
Institute of the Uralian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences visited steppe
areas along the northern border of Chuvash and in the Nizhni Novgorod Region.
During the forums it was agreed that the research on steppes and marmots is
proceeding well in the CIS, while the subjects of research have grown in number.
It was also noted that protected areas, where they exist, usually become centres
of biodiversity. Nature reserves play a positive role in preserving and restoring
steppe ecosystems.
The Meeting participants unanimously agreed to dedicate the event to the memory
of Professor Valentina Rudi, a well-known zoologist and marmot expert, who inspired
many committed young scientists.
Participants in the conference and the meeting agreed:
1. To support the initiative of the Steppe Institute (under the Russian Academy
of Sciences) and to develop and establish new forms of steppe protected natural
areas that will contribute to the restoration and conservation of landscapes
and biodiversity (pattern steppe area sites, pastoral reserves, steppe nature
parks);
2. To make studies and activities aimed at improving the recreational appeal
and value of steppe ecosystems a top priority;
3. To propose that preserved steppe areas be included in the register of protected
natural areas. To support the initiative by the Prisursky State Nature Reserve
to include steppe areas within the reserve's borders;
4. To recommend that the nature conservation authorities create a register and
inventory of preserved steppe areas;
5. To recommend creation of a database of researchers and experts engaged in
the study and protection of marmots and steppe biocenoses;
6. To recommend better protection of the forest-steppe marmot in Novosibirsk,
Tomsk and Kemerovo Regions and the Altai Territory due to the change in its
taxonomy status;
…
9. To publish a book of scientific articles based on the papers read at the
Conference and the Meeting and their results;
10. To thank the organizers of the Conference on Steppes and the Meeting on
Marmots;
11. To hold more Meetings on Marmots and Conferences on Steppes and to schedule
the next Meeting on Marmots for 2005.
