Bublichenko A.G. 2009. Coastal and island theriofauna of the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland // Russian J. Theriol. Vol.8. No.1: 37–46 [in English].
Andrey G. Bublichenko [museum_up@zin.ru and abublichenko@mail.ru], Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya nab., 1, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia.
KEY WORDS: biodiversity, Gulf of Finland, insular isolation, southern taiga species, rare and vulnerable species, anthropogenic impact.
ABSTRACT. The history of fauna of the East Coast of the Gulf of Finland and its state under increasing anthropogenic pressure are described in this study. Short characteristics of the current coastal ecosystems of the Gulf of Finland were done. The list of mammal species inhabited the Russian coastal territories of the gulf and adjacent islands is provided. The obtained data demonstrated, that despite of high pressure, which has been brought upon the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland by anthropogenic factor, the main body of the coastal and island mammal fauna, which is inherent for southern taiga forests, has not been lost yet. However, the quota of accidental and rare species is reducing within the major part of the territory. So, the increasing building activity and recreational pressure upon this area call for a close attention to the situation.