Transformation of the territory by deforestation in the habitat of the golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos and determination of the parameters of buffer zones for the protection of its nests
https://doi.org/10.21266/2079-4304.2026.258.98-113
Abstract
The study was conducted in 2021-2025 in northwestern Russia (in the Leningrad and Pskov regions) on the nesting territories of 5 pairs of golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos, where 6 nests were found. An analysis of the transformation of the territory by deforestation within a 5 km radius from the golden eagle nests is provided. The percentage of the area affected by logging, the minimum distances from residential nests to the logging disturbance zones, the size and age of nesting trees are determined. The presence of visual buffer zones in the form of a screen of forest areas, forest islands and ridges between all six golden eagle nests and clearings is established. The legislative basis for the allocation of protective areas in the habitats of rare bird species and restrictions on economic activities in them is discussed. Existing recommendations for the sizes of buffer zones in neighboring countries are provided. Based on the study results, the parameters of buffer zones around the golden eagle nests are proposed with the exclusion of all types of logging throughout the year. Recommendations are given for maintaining the structure of forest plantations in the nesting territory of golden eagles, whereby disturbances by logging over 15 years should not exceed 3% of the total area within a radius of 5 km from the nests. The importance of preserving visual buffer zones to prevent birds from abandoning nests as a result of disturbance is emphasized. It is proposed to preserve the forest edge along the perimeter of swamps, forest islands on them, ridges and capes of forest protruding into the swamp, which will not only preserve the reserve of nesting trees, but also provide a visual buffer zone.
About the Authors
L. Yu. Pukinskaya
St.Petersburg State Forest Technical University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
PUKINSKAYA Lyudmila Yu. – PhD student, Department of Forest Protection, Wood Science and Game Science
194021. Institute per. 5. St. Petersburg
M. Yu. Pukinskaya
Komarov Botanical Institute of the RAS
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
PUKINSKAYA Marya Yu. – PhD (Biological), Senior Researcher, Laboratory of General Geobotany
197376. Professora Popova str. 2. St. Petersburg
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Review
For citations:
Pukinskaya L.Yu., Pukinskaya M.Yu. Transformation of the territory by deforestation in the habitat of the golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos and determination of the parameters of buffer zones for the protection of its nests. Izvestia Sankt-Peterburgskoj lesotehniceskoj akademii. 2026;(258):98-113. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.21266/2079-4304.2026.258.98-113
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