To the history of the creation of biosphere reserves and natural parks in the Soviet Union

By the early 1960's due to the development of industrial production, the natural environment of the Soviet Union faced a threat of reduction of many endemic species. Biosphere reserves became the places where any human activity was strongly forbidden and scientists can conduct ecological research. Soviet biosphere reserves became an important instrument for international ecological cooperation. Creation of new national parks led to the spreading semi-protected territories. The aim of this article is to show how Soviet scientists worked out the principles of natural parks and biosphere reserves in the Soviet Union. That research will be of interest to geographers, biologists and conservation activists involved in different ecological activities.