Mikhail Efimovich Nikiforov (b. 21.01.1956, v. Novoielnya, Dyatlov district, Grodno region), biologist, zoologist, ecologist. Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (2014; corresponding member since 2009), Doctor of Biological Sciences (2006), Professor (2007). Liquidator of the Chernobyl accident.
Scientific research in the field of zoology, including molecular genetic profile, ornithology, zoo and phylogeography, ecology, nature conservation and rational use of biological resources. The main areas of research: the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors, including the consequences of the Chernobyl NPP accident, on the state of the faunistic complexes and the dynamics of biological diversity; studying the structure and dynamics of avifauna, migrations and territorial aggregations of birds throughout the Holocene and at the present stage; genetic structure of populations of vertebrate species in the range and molecular genetic aspects of the Central and Eastern European faunogenesis in the Holocene.
The patterns and models of bird population distribution in central Europe and Belarus during the late stages of the ice age and after its completion are described. The localization of the system of refugia and refugial zones of Europe, which caused glacial isolation and morphological differentiation of bird populations and gave rise to their settlement after the completion of glaciation, is substantiated. A wide series of works was carried out to identify the factors determining the change in the number of bird species in modern conditions, as a basis for developing international and national action plans for the conservation of globally threatened species, and proposed measures to reduce the negative impact of problematic bird species. Scientific foundations and practical measures have been developed for the conservation and sustainable use of animal biodiversity and ecosystems, the formation of a national ecological network and its integration into a common European ecological network.
Organizer and leader of a new direction in the development of the Belarusian zoological science - molecular zoology. With his direct assistance, a genetic bank of wild fauna has been formed and is actively used. Created a national center for ringing and studying bird migrations, which is part of the European system of ringing centers.
The scientific results and materials used in the preparation of various editions of the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus are reflected in the relevant sections of the National Atlas of the Republic of Belarus, applied in the preparation of forecasts and national reports on the state of the environment of the Republic of Belarus, in the elaborations of the Republican Development Scheme of Specially Protected Natural Territories, concepts and schemes the formation of the National Ecological Network and its integration into the pan-European ecological network.
Organizer of the Belarusian Ornithological Society, in 1998-2004 - President of the public organization “Akhova ptushak Batskaushchyny”, which is the representative of “BirdLife International” in Belarus. Chairman of the Belarusian Ornith-Faunistic Commission. Chairman of the editorial board of the journal “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Biological Series ”, chairman of the ABN section of the Scientific Council of the BRFFR, member of the editorial and publishing commission of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Included in the editorial boards of the scientific ornithological bulletin “Subbuteo”, the inter-agency bulletin “Natural Resources”, the magazine “Forestry and Hunting”.
Author of more than 200 scientific papers, including 10 monographs, copyright certificate, 4 patents for inventions.
Prepared 8 candidates of biological sciences. For success in professional and scientific-organizational activities, he was repeatedly awarded diplomas of relevant ministries, the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the State Inspectorate for Flora and Flora Protection under the President of the Republic of Belarus.