Till now the existing environment monitoring system of Russia was characterized by sectoral approach and lack of clear coordination. Still there is no federal-level body and infrastructure for collection, processing, analysis and verification of the information supplied by sectoral ministries, scientific institutions and other sources.

The most complete data on the state of biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes serving as habitats for plants and animals, and on country's biological resources are available in the annual State Report on the Status of Environment in the Russian Federation. It has been published since 1989 and contains information received from all ministries and sectoral state agencies, including those associated with biodiversity conservation and use of biological resources. Another official source for such kind of information is the National Report on the conservation of biological diversity in Russia (all available through our portal).

In 2005-2007 six experts from Russia participated in the European project, devoted to the development of the Pan-European set of Biodiversity indicators – SEBI2010 (Streamlining European 2010 Biodiversity Indicators). The general overview was prepared of the background information on biodiversity monitoring and indicators in Russia and a  pilot project was implemented on testing approached to develop harmonized Pan-European indicator on the extent of ecosystems and habitats for territories not covered by CORINE assessment (on the basis of medium resolution remote sensing data).

In this  section we should integrate resouces on development and realization of monitoring programs in Russia, initiatives and efforts directed to the development, use and harmonization of the biodiversity indicators.