Accessibility of protected natural areas of regional significance: a case study from Samara Oblast, Russia

A significant role is assigned to the preservation of natural areas in the paradigm of sustainable development both in the international and regional aspects. Protected natural areas of regional importance make it possible to solve the problem of the preservation of natural ecosystems. The aim of the research is to establish for the municipal districts of Samara Oblast: dynamics, formation features and provision of PAs of regional significance. In the course of the study, on the basis of analysis, logical presentation, and statistical research, the authors established: the dynamics, features of the formation and provision of the municipal districts of Samara Oblast with specially protected natural areas of regional significance. The authors show a significant variability in areas, specific value and provision of the local population with specially protected natural areas, the relationship of individual parameters. The authors also built a rating and compiled a classification of municipal districts according to the given indicators. The authors identified the categories of municipal districts with a high, medium and low share of specially protected natural areas in the total area of the subregional area and the provision of the population with protected areas. The authors studied various options or models of compensatory benefits and environmental costs of municipal areas, taking into account specially protected natural areas of federal significance and the influence of the urban environment. The results of the analysis make it possible to use the obtained materials for making current managerial decisions in the interaction of regional environmental authorities with the administrations of municipal districts, for correcting the prospective scheme for the development of specially protected natural areas of regional significance, and for modernizing the development strategies of territories.