Structure of the ecological framework of the Sviyaga River basin

In the following paper the author considers his own ecological framework of the Sviyaga River basin (the right tributary of the Volga River), which was created on the basis of a long-term study of the flora of vascular plants of a natural nature department located in the central part of the Volga Upland. The floristic and geobotanical description of the key areas – the nuclei in the structure of the river basin framework is given, with the justification of the reasons for their isolation and reduction of the rare species of vascular plants of the basin flora that betray the significance of the study area. The author briefly describes corridors and buffer zones in the structure of the ecological framework; they represent continuous linear structures and serve as a kind of bridge for the migration of biological species between the core nuclei. In addition to the cores, corridors and buffer zones in the basin of the Sviyaga River the author identified promising areas (in the number of 7) – reserves of rare and protected plant species. The paper provides information on the existing system of protected areas of the research and perspective sites recommended for inclusion in the network of existing protected areas of the Ulyanovsk Region and the Republic of Tatarstan, in order to preserve the floristic diversity of the region. The presented ecological framework will create good prerequisites for preserving of the biodiversity of the region and contributes to maintaining of the natural potential of the Sviyaga River basin.