TITLE:
Restoration of Damaged Ecosystem Services on Wetlands in Northern Part of the Volga-Akhtuba Floodplain (Russia)
AUTHORS:
A. V. Lukonina, G. Y. Klinkova, N. B. Lopantzeva
KEYWORDS:
Restoration of Wetlands, Ecosystem Services, the Volga-Akhtuba Floodplain
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.3 No.6,
August
25,
2015
ABSTRACT: Due to the regulation of the river Volga
flow, expanding of the territories intended for construction and development of
agriculture wetlands Volga-Akhtuba floodplain are being significantly
transformed and are losing many of their qualities. Non-regulated loads lead to
the break of natural physical and chemical characteristics of water bodies,
loss of biodiversity, degradation of structure and functions of biological
communities and, as a result, to decreasing of potential ecosystem services. Restoration
of the lost qualities of water ecosystems is a key factor in increasing
sustainability of reclaimed landscapes and creating comfortable conditions for
living of locals and their economic activity. On the territory of the biosphere
reserve “Nature park” “Volga-Akhtuba floodplain” a number of model sites were
defined in order for research projects and practical work on restoration of
degraded landscapes to be executed. The widest range of the lost ecosystem
qualities is being restored during work on Lake Zapornoye. Restoration of
ecosystem functions is being implemented according to the main economic
activities carried out in this area. Ecosystem services of the area are specified
in accordance with its functional purpose. The existing landscape and ecology
conditions have been studied and estimated to see if the planned ecosystem
services can be provided. The project suggests the following activities: restoration
of hydro-morphological characteristics, reconstruction of habitats for
biodiversity and their ecosystem services, improvement to restore and preserve
recreational qualities of landscape. The project includes the monitoring the
effectiveness of restoration. Monitoring program is based on indices of
environmental assessment.