In 2011 researchers of the Department of Science published 28 scientific articles, 45 press releases, 17 popular science news stories. The next volume of “Nature Records” (volume 40, parts 1-2, 545 pages) was duly prepared and published. The Altaiskiy Biosphere Reserve (BR) hosted ten integrated scientific research expeditions in the framework of scientific cooperation, involving 44 researchers from various scientific institutions. The first-ever snow leopard (ounce – Uncia uncia) and manul cat images were obtained from camera traps in the Altai Republic in 2011 with the assistance of the Reserve’s staff.
The key resource day (man-day) data of the Department of Science staff is the following: 1,073 field resource days, including 320 marathon field resource days, 1,038 cameral resource days. The staff processed 2,262 units of source documentation (one-time survey cards). The next volume of “Nature Records” (volume 40, parts 1-2, 545 pages) was duly prepared and published.
The Altaiskiy BR hosted ten integrated scientific research expeditions in the framework of scientific cooperation, involving 44 researchers from various scientific institutions. In 2011 the Altaiskiy Reserve welcomed 52 internship students from Russia’s six higher educational institutions, whose field resource days at the Reserve stood at 196. All in all, four graduation and 13 term papers were written.
The first stage of scientific surveys of transboundary (Russia – Mongolia) snow leopard population along Chikhachev ridge involving data of camera traps was completed in 2011. It resulted in obtaining the first snow leopard and manul cat images from camera traps placed on the Russian side of Altai Republic’s Chikhachev Ridge.
2011 also witnessed continued surveys of geomagnetic variations using the QUARTZ-3 digital magnetic variation station, as well as works within the UNDP/GEF project – “Biodiversity Conservation in the Russian Portion of the Altai-Sayan Ecoregion”. Automatic weather station for the long-term monitoring of Reserve’s climate change and ecosystems was installed in Chiri cordon.
In 2011 the Altaiskiy Reserve signed scientific cooperation agreements with Russia’s 23 leading research institutes and higher educational institutions, including eight SB RAS (Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences) research institutes. In 2011 the following works were published in the Reserve: collection of scientific papers by G.G. Sobanskiy– “Stories about Altai’s wild animals” - this 3d enlarged and arranged edition contains new data on Altai Mountains’ animals; a guidance manual by S.V. Spitsin and joint authors - “Preserving Altai Argali in Russia-Mongolia transboundary zone”.
In 2011 researchers of the Department of Science published 28 scientific articles, 45 press releases, 17 popular science news stories; apart from that two graduation papers and one thesis paper were reviewed. The staff of the Department participated in three sessions and a number of international, all-Russia and regional conferences.
The article is written with the assistance of S.V. Chukhontseva, Deputy Director for Science
P.S. 8 February – the Day of Russian Science – is also the birthday of Svetlana Valerievna Chukhontseva , Deputy Director for Science of the Altaiskiy Reserve. Staff members of the Reserve wish Svetlana Valerievna a very Happy Birthday, happiness, health and luck to her and her family!