New Maps Available for Review Please let us know what you think of the new draft GFW Atlas of Russia's Intact Forest Landscapes (Russian version here).

Russia: Overview

Nearly a quarter of the world’s current forest area is in Russia. Russia has retained about two thirds of its estimated original forest area. Given their magnitude, Russia’s forests play an important role in the world’s climate.

A new study by GFW Russia shows that only about a quarter of the forest zone of Russia is still in large blocks of road-less wilderness – so called intact forest landscapes (also known as frontier forests). This is less than the previous estimate of more than two fifths.

The new estimate is presented in an Atlas of Russia’s Intact Forest Landscapes and derives from a two year study in which GFW Russia used satellite images and ground observations to fine comb the forest zone of Russia for signs of disturbances by modern land use. The Atlas, presented in Moscow and Washington on 3 April 2002, is available in English and soon also in Russian.

The Atlas is an extension of the mapping approach that produced the first GFW Russia report, called The Last Intact Forest Landscapes of Northern European Russia, available in Russian and English.

This is the first time that a study of Russia’s remaining wild forests has been based on high resolution images (30 meters resolution on the ground) for critical areas.

• GFW will refine the maps of large intact forest areas for use in official decision making. Individual areas will be described and mapped at finer scales
• Forest areas of high conservation value are scattered all over the forested production landscape. GFW Russia will define and map these areas in priority regions so that logging and mining companies can minimize impact on these important areas.
• Illegal and inappropriate forest practices are costing the Russian federal budget US$1 billion per year, according to the Russian Federal Tax Police. GFW Russia will monitor the performance of individual forest management agencies (leskhozy) and individual logging companies. Wide sharing of results will guide the procurement strategies of wood buyers and help level the playing field for companies that practice responsible forestry.
• GFW Russia will supply local groups with information, training and advice, as needed for them to participate actively in the tasks above.