THE MAP OF WILDLIFE IN THE RUSSIAN ARCTIC REGION (MAMMALS). THE CONCEPT AND DEVELOPMENT
This article deals with the concept of a map displaying the mammal class of animal world in the russian Arctic region and describes the process of its development. The concept means defining the place of mammals in the organic world system where animals are hierarchically differentiated from kingdom to species. Species is the basic unit of life forms system and the basic taxonomic element of mapping. furthermore, the relation between animals and their habitat landscape types (plain and mountain) is displayed and this is a part of map concept. Unlike most zoogeographical maps, displaying only land animals, the Arctic marine mammals are also the target of research and mapping. The paper highlights both land animals and marine animals included in the red Book of the russian federation and regional red Books of russia. The total of 85 mammal species of the unique Arctic regions is presented on the map. The article contains the full list of such species. The matrix form of the legend shown in the figure with the map tile is a subject to coverage of the variety of land animals. The article, along with its valid subject scope, reveals methodological and technological issues in design and mapping research and provides a description of their features. The results of mapping studies performed are essential for evolution of knowledge about the russian Arctic nature and for conservation of biodiversity of vertebrate animals in russia.