Russia Creates Digital Database to Protect Rare Plants of Lake Baikal
The Zelenaya Platforma has emerged as a practical tool for long-term nature conservation.
Russian scientists have developed a unique digital database known as the Zelenaya Platforma (Green Platform) to help preserve rare plant species around Lake Baikal. The platform was created by Zapovednoye Pribaikalye with support from the Lake Baikal Foundation and the World Around You Foundation. It allows researchers to assess Baikal’s ecosystems over the long term and develop a clear, evidence-based plan to protect its shoreline.
Photos and Precise Coordinates
The Zelenaya Platforma was designed to study and protect rare and endangered plant species found in the Priolkhonye region and on Olkhon Island, according to Siberian News. Several species found here cannot be seen anywhere else in the world, including Olkhon astragalus, almost-hairy skull-fruit, three-leafed oxytrope, and Zunduk sweetvetch. All of them are listed in Russia’s Red Data Book and face the risk of extinction. Thyme species that grow in the area are not officially protected but are also under pressure due to tourist collection and livestock grazing.
From May to September 2025, researchers from Zapovednoye Pribaikalye worked in the field, counting plants, assessing their condition and age, and documenting changes in their habitats. Photographs and precise geographic coordinates of each plant population became the foundation of the digital database.
The Zelenaya Platforma and its associated mapping system have become a powerful practical tool for conservation. Digital maps now show all known habitats of rare plants, areas with high biodiversity, and vulnerable sandy ecosystems. The platform already helps planners design tourist routes that avoid harming protected species and adjust protected zones within the national park. At the same time, the database serves as a valuable scientific archive and a foundation for future research.
A Living Tool for Nature Protection
The Zelenaya Platforma is more than a database or a local project. It is a living tool that combines modern technology, years of scientific research, and hands-on conservation. Scientists, environmental specialists, and government agencies now have an accurate digital map showing exactly where special protection measures are needed to preserve Baikal’s unique plant life, said Svetlana Babina, acting director of Zapovednoye Pribaikalye.
In 2025, the creators of the Zelenaya Platforma also carried out extensive public outreach. They launched a dedicated website about rare plants and worked to share collected data with local residents and visitors, aiming to ensure that economic activity does not harm the natural environment. The solution, developed in Russia, is designed to be scalable and could be applied to other regions in Russia and worldwide that require close scientific attention and protection.
