The availability of specially protected natural areas of regional importance in municipal districts (on the example of the Samara Region)

At present when legislative requirements are strengthening, local administrations are empowered to do ecological activities, the demand for ecological tourism is growing, which is reflected in strategic documents of territorial development etc., the necessity to preserve natural diversity at the municipal level is increasing. In the paper on the basis of analysis, logical presentation, statistical research the dynamics, peculiarities of creation and provision of Samara Region’s municipal districts with specially protected natural territories of regional importance are established. On the territory of the studied region there are 211 protected areas of regional importance, as well as three objects of federal importance: Zhigulevsky State Nature Biosphere Reserve and two national parks (Samarskaya Luka and Buzuluksky Bor). The paper shows a significant variability of areas, specific size and provision of local population with protected areas, the relationship between individual parameters, a rating and classification of municipal districts according to the given indicators. The categories of municipal districts with high, medium and low shares of protected areas in the total area of the sub-regional area and the provision of the population with protected areas have been identified. Various options or models of compensatory benefits and environmental costs of municipal districts have been considered, taking into account specially protected natural areas of federal importance and the influence of the urban environment. The results of the analysis allow us to use the materials obtained to make current management decisions and modernize the development strategies of the territories.