Yesterday, the KarRC RAS Academic Council met on its first session in 2026. Traditionally, the year begins with reports on previous year’s results by CEOs of KarRC RAS scientific divisions.

– Today, the divisions’ activities will be presented by directors of four institutes whose profiles are more closely related: Institute of Biology, Forest Research Institute, Northern Water Problems Institute, and Institute of Geology. On its second working day, the Academic Council will hear reports from three other institutes and the Department for Multidisciplinary Research, – said KarRC RAS leader Olga Bakhmet opening the first session.
Institute directors talked about the main scientific results, key themes and lines of activities, implementation of the state assignment, grant-based project work, contracted studies, international cooperation, quantitative performance, situation with personnel and funding.



The meeting was opened by KarRC RAS leader, Corresponding Academician Olga Bakhmet

Specifically, the Institute of Biology in 2025 conducted general biology studies within 45 research themes, including 10 projects supported by the Russian Science Foundation. During this year, 252 articles were published in various scientific journals.
According to the Director of the Institute, Nikolai Ilmast, scientists have achieved significant fundamental and applied results. In particular, researchers analyzed the outcomes of the successful introduction of pike-perch into Lake Sundozero from Lake Syamozero and Lake Onego in 1965-1970.
The Zoology Laboratory documented the ongoing expansion of animals from the south, including the so far unsuccessful attempts of the white stork to establish itself in Karelia, and two records of the golden jackal in 2025. On the other hand, scientists noted a reduction in the range and population size of a typical Arctic inhabitant, the Arctic fox, on the Kola Peninsula.
In the Kalevalsky National Park, the results of a long-term inventory of mosses were summarized, and a list comprising 170 species was compiled.
In 2025, methodology-focused research was conducted to improve the cultivation of salmonid fishes – Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout – to obtain high-quality products.



The first report was delivered by Nikolai Ilmast, Director of the Institute of Biology KarRC RAS


Audience of the meeting

The Forest Research Institute KarRC RAS implemented research within three state-ordered themes and under 27 contracts with Russian partners. The research results were published in 55 articles in scientific journals.
Director of the Institute Aleksey Pekkoev informed that they have adopted an integrated and multi-tiered approach to investigating forest ecosystems seeking to address modern global challenges, i.e. climate change, loss of resources and biodiversity. Aleksey Pekkoev presented a range of outputs that contribute to the understanding of the climate-regulating role of old-growth boreal forests and exposing the mechanisms behind forest ecosystem stability and dynamics.



Aleksey Pekkoev, Director of the Forest Research Institute KarRC RAS

Special attention was given to the exploration of the physiological and biochemical mechanisms for the adaption of woody plants to forestry operations and the molecular genetic mechanisms controlling xylogenesis (the wood formation process). In his talk, Aleksey Pekkoev stressed the practical significance of the results.


The name of KarRC RAS Doctoral Student Foma Vozmitel mentioned in a Science-group journal

Research at the Northern Water Problems Institute KarRC RAS in 2025 was carried out within six state-ordered themes, one RSF project, one project funded by a grant from the Russian Geographical Society, 12 commercial contracts. The results of the studies were summarized in 111 academic papers.
Other key scientific results mentioned by the Institute’s Director Yulia Lukina are elaboration of the continental sediment genesis theory, prediction of waterbody’s response to natural and anthropogenic external impacts. Scientists evaluated the current the landscape structure in mid-boreal lake catchments of Karelia under human interference. The results of these studies can be used when planning the region’s economic development.


Yulia Lukina, Director of the Northern Water Problems Institute KarRC RAS, speaking

Research on Lake Onego water quality was continued. Based on the results, scientists classify the water as “very clean” (except in Kondopoga Bay). In a separate study performed within an RSF-funded project, water quality in the Kizhi Skerries region was also described as high, although heavy water traffic in the summer affects some hydrochemical parameters.
Large-scope interdisciplinary studies were carried out at the White Sea – in Blagopoluchiya Bay, Solovetsky Archipelago. Their findings point to heavy detrimental effects of human activities.