Major environmental challenges:

1. Major environmental challenges: • Desertification • Soil degradation and exhaust • Salinisation and mineralisation • Air pollution • Sand storms • Risk of flooding • Fresh water resources degradation • Loss of biodiversity • Exhaust of fish resources

5. GLOBALLY THREATENED BIRD SPECIES IN CAUCASUS ECO-REGION Caucasus eco-region is one of 25 most biologically diverse areas of the Earth selected by the experts of Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) as being under the threat of degradation. The northern limit of Caucasus eco-region is drawn along Kuma-Manych depression. 14 globally protected bird species occur within the Russian part of Caucasus eco-region.

7. Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanuscrispus)

8. Great Bustard (Otis tarda) is a globally rare and threatened species

9. Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) is a globally rare and threatened species

10. Egyptian Vulture (Neophronpercnopterus) is a globally rare and threatened species

11. Siberian Crane (Grusleucogeranus)

12. Lesser White-fronted Goose (Ansererythropus) is a globally rare and endangered species

13. References Gabunshina, E. (January 1997). "Desert Reaches Europe". Our Planet. Vol. 8.5. Glazovsky, N.F. and A.S. Shestakov (2000). Environmental Migration Caused by Desertification in Central Asia and Russia. Moscow: Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences. Glazovsky, N.F., N.V Kudinova, L.Yu Odinokova, A.S Shestakov and V.N Streletsky. (2000). Migrations induced by Desertification and drought in CIS member-states. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Gogo, N.V. (1944). Chichikov's Journeys. New York: The Limited Editions Club. Ilyumzhinov, K. (1998). The President's Crown of Thorns. Moscow: Vagrius. Kuo-yi, P. (1965). Studies on the Secret History of the Mongols, Mongolia Society Incorporated. Pandita, Z. (circa 1650 AD). Todo Bichig (Clear Writing). Kalmykia. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (1998). National Strategies to Combat Desertification in the Kalmyk Republic of the Russian Federation and Kazakstan. Badmaev V., Ubushaev B. (2004). Chernyje Zemli Biosphere Reserve and its role in the conservation of biodiversity in dryland ecosystems. Traditional knowledge and modern technology for the sustainable management of dryland ecosystem. Proceedings of the International Workshop, Elista, Republic of Kalmykia, Russian Federation, 23–27 June. UNESCO–MAB Drylands Series, 4, 155-157. Bananova, V. B. (1993). Anthropogenic desertification of arid areas of Kalmykia. Synopsis of thesis for Doctor’s Degree of Geographical Sciences. Ilym, Ashgabad. In Zonn, I., S. (1995). Desertification in Russia: problems and solutions (an example in the Republic of Kalmykia – Khalmg Tangch). Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 37, 347-365. Basanov, A. A. (2005). Personal interview. July 29. Bell, S., Morse, S. (1999). Sustainability indicators: measuring the immesurable? London: Earthscan Publications, Ltd. Borlikov, G. M. (1998). Sovremennie ekologo-geographicheskie problemi ratsionalnogo prirodopolzovania v prikaspiskom regione [Contemporary environmental problems of the sustainable land use in the Caspian]. International conference “Caspian ecosystems – for the 21st century”, 23-30 May. Elista: Kalmyk State University. Carter, N. (2001). The politics of the environment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Dregne, H. E. (1983). Desertification of arid lands. New York: Harwood academic publishers.

14. МОУ «Ачинеровская СОШ» Черноземельский район Республика Калмыкия Ecoproblems in the Kalmyk Steppe Лиджиева Анна Хулхачиевна, учитель английского языка. Лукшанова Ольга Александровна, учитель географии и экологии.