Russian Federation

This biosphere reserve is situated in the Manchurian-Japanese Mixed Forest biogeographical region in the far south-east of Russia. It comprises the complex system of the central eastern part of the Sikhote-Alin Mountain ranges and marine areas of the Japanese Sea. Main habitats of interest are pine-spruce woods with Rhododendron fauriei, meadow-birch-oak associations, steppe meadows and yew groves. The most characteristic mammals are the critically endangered Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica), the Manchurian red deer (Cervus elaphus xanthopygus, the main prey of Amur tigers), Himalayan black bear (Ursus thibetanus) and brown bear (Ursus arctos). The presence of these species was one reason for the designation of the area as a World Heritage site.

There are about 75,000 permanent residents plus 2,000 seasonal residents who all live in the transition area (1997). Their main economic activities are timber logging and processing, fishing, mining, chemical industry and metallurgy. The local population is included in the biosphere reserve management through consultations, meetings and discussions.