Red Data Book of the Russian Federation
Soviet biologists began their work between 1961 and 1964 to create the first Russian Red Data Book. This early effort represented only the Soviet Union's initial organized list of endangered species rather than a formal legislative document. The Ministry of Agriculture adopted an official version in 1974 which was published two years later in 1978. A second revision appeared in 1984 as the Red Data Book of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic for animals exclusively. In 1988 the publication expanded to include plants with 533 total species listed within its pages. That plant volume contained 465 vascular plants, 22 bryophytes, 29 lichens and 17 fungi species.
The Constitution of the Russian Federation from 1993 established the foundational legal framework for species conservation on the federal level. Additional laws followed including the Law on the Animal World enacted on the 5th of May 1995. The Law on the Protection of the Environment arrived in 2002 to further strengthen these regulations. As of 2003 the current federal edition remained the 1998 version of the Red Data Book. Regional authorities must list all species found in their local Red Data Books if they appear in the federal volume. Federal law does not make creating regional books compulsory though many regions choose to do so anyway. Municipal-level territories sometimes issue their own separate lists despite lacking mandatory requirements.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union each former republic instituted its own regulations regarding endangered species protection. By 2003 the absence of a unified federal regulation resulted in chaotic and uncontrolled regional listing practices across the country. Thirty-seven regional Red Data Books covered only 42 out of 89 total Russian regions at that time. Most of these regional publications failed to meet federal standards required for official legal acts. Many lacked sufficient expertise or resources needed to maintain accurate lists and enforce common regulations effectively. A common ecological treaty was eventually created with mutual recognition of endangered species to address these gaps.
Category Zero designates taxa and populations that inhabited Russian territory in the past but whose presence has not been confirmed in 50 years. Category One marks species whose abundance has decreased to critical levels where extinction could occur in the near future. Category Two identifies populations whose numbers are constantly decreasing and may move to Category One if negative factors continue. Category Three applies to taxa with low individual numbers inhabiting limited territories or sporadically distributed over extensive areas. Category Four covers species belonging to other categories but suffering from considerable knowledge gaps or failing exact criteria. Category Five includes populations recovered or recovering due to protective measures approaching stable existence without urgent intervention.
The introduction of regional Red Books sometimes provokes negative reactions described as Red book Bacchanalia by critics. Allegations claim funds meant for proactive ecological activities are squandered on useless paperwork since the federal document already fulfills all requirements. Some suggest local illegal animal traffickers use regional books to track down endangered species more easily. Proponents argue the connection between illegal hunting and Red Books remains unclear and unproven. They note local biologists can be bribed by entrepreneurs regardless of whether a list exists. Funds used to create these books do support local biological research efforts according to defenders. Regional lists allow for more accurate environmental protection like greater bird protection in cities and flora protection in Arctic regions.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When was the first Red Data Book of the Russian Federation created?
Soviet biologists began work on the first Red Data Book between 1961 and 1964. The Ministry of Agriculture adopted an official version in 1974 which was published two years later in 1978.
What legal framework established species conservation for the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation?
The Constitution of the Russian Federation from 1993 established the foundational legal framework for species conservation on the federal level. Additional laws followed including the Law on the Animal World enacted on the 5th of May 1995.
How many species were listed in the 1988 edition of the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation?
In 1988 the publication expanded to include plants with 533 total species listed within its pages. That plant volume contained 465 vascular plants, 22 bryophytes, 29 lichens and 17 fungi species.
What does Category Zero mean in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation?
Category Zero designates taxa and populations that inhabited Russian territory in the past but whose presence has not been confirmed in 50 years. This classification identifies species no longer present in the region despite historical existence there.
Why do critics call regional Red Data Books of the Russian Federation a Bacchanalia?
Critics describe the introduction of regional Red Books as Red book Bacchanalia because they claim funds meant for proactive ecological activities are squandered on useless paperwork. Some allege local illegal animal traffickers use these books to track down endangered species more easily.