Arctic Russia with the three Model Areas highlighted:

Kolguev Island

This Model Area is an island ecosystem with lowland tundra. It boasts the highest waterfowl density in the Barents regions and a unique reindeer population (Kolguev Island reindeer). The habitat fragmentation and pollution associated with oil development on the island threaten the waterfowl and reindeer populations and the overall socio-economic fabric of the island community .

Kolyma River Basin

The Kolyma River Basin is a river basin ecosystem, featuring mountain and lowland tundra interspersed with forested river valleys. The major biodiversity values of the area include a high diversity of valuable freshwater fish species (mainly whitefish), habitat and nesting ground of numerous waterfowl, including rare and endangered species, and unique relic larch forests. Threats to the ecosystem come from illegal logging of old-growth valley forests, wildlife poaching, and local habitat destruction from gold-mining.

Beringovsky District

The Beringovsky District is a coastal ecosystem featuring tundra shelf and continental slope. Values to biodiversity of the area include a high diversity of flora, bird, mammal and fish species, many rare and Red Book species, rookeries and calving areas of marine mammals, and large bird colonies. The area is threatened by poaching and unsustainable take of wildlife caused by poverty, and oil extraction poses an imminent threat to important marine habitats and traditional hunting grounds.