WWF selects seven most unusual protected areas in Russia
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) of Russia has selected seven most remarkable protected areas (PAs) for the centenary of the appearance of the first reserve - Barguzinsky, which was created on January 11, 1917 in a new style.
Over the past hundred years, about 200 million hectares or about 11% of the territory of the entire country have been taken under protection in Russia. At the same time, about 52 million hectares of protected areas were created with the support of WWF Russia. On the initiative of the Fund, since 1997, January 11 is celebrated as the day of creation of the reserve system of Russia, — said WWF.
The smallest
The smallest in Russia is the reserve "Galichya Gora" in the Lipetsk region. Its area is only 2.3 square kilometers, on which more than 650 plant species grow. However, many of them are not typical of these latitudes, and scientists still argue how they could get here. There are Caucasian, Altai and even alpine flora. In addition, in the "Galic Mountain" is an incredibly large variety of insects. Also here you can find a black kite, an oscopus, a fox, a raccoon dog, a badger, a boar and even an elk.
The biggest.
The largest in area is the Great Arctic Reserve (Krasnoyarsk Territory) - 42 thousand square kilometers. Here is the most "rich" polar bears place of mainland Eurasia, as the reserve is one of the most important migration routes of this species. Also, populations of wild reindeer have been preserved here, and rare species of birds are found: the black Cossack, the red-haired Cossack, the white-tailed eagle, the sapsan, the small swan.
The most feline
National Park "Land of the Leopard" (Primorsky Krai) is the only place in Russia where two representatives of the subfamily "big cats" live at once: the Amur tiger and the Far Eastern leopard. Here you can find ancient relict plants, as well as representatives of tropical fauna. Of the animals inhabiting the park, 40 species are rare and endangered. In addition to tigers and leopards in these places there are: Far Eastern forest cat, lynx, Himalayan bear, brown bear, boarga, deer, goral, wild boar, raccoon dog, Manchurian hare and others.
The most prolific
The reserve "Wrangel Island" (Chukotka) is called the main maternity home of polar bears. Every year a record number of females preparing to give offspring lies in the dens – from 300 to 500. In addition, on the island of Wrangel is the world's largest rookery of the Pacific walrus. Here are the largest bird bazaars in the Chukchi Sea, including the only large permanent colony of the white goose in Eurasia. It is the richest Arctic island in terms of biodiversity.
The furiest
The first reserve in Russia - Barguzinsky (Buryatia) was created to preserve the sable, which the fur hunters brought to the brink of extinction. When creating the reserve, only 20-30 sables remained in it. Today there are several thousand individuals of all kinds of color. Also on the territory of protected areas, you can meet a brown bear, moose, cabbage, white hare and other animals.
The most mystical
In the Pechoro-Ilychsky Reserve in Komi there is the Manpuner plateau with seven stone statues with a height of a 15-storey house. Legend has it that once the giants tried to steal the daughter of the leader of the people who lived here. The son of the chief went to save his sister, and with the help of good spirits turned giants into stones. However, according to scientists, it was without magic: 200 million years ago on the site of stone pillars stood high mountains, which collapsed under the influence of weather phenomena. The shape of the pillars still continues to change, which is why there is a myth that the pillars change places. The inhabitants of these mystical places are moose, bears, wolves, wolverines, boars, badgers, reindeer, raccoon dogs.
The highest.
Above others in Russia is the national park "Elbrus" (Kabardino-Balkaria), which includes the highest peak of the country - Elbrus. There are waterfalls, lakes, healing mineral springs, alpine meadows. A large part of the territory is occupied by forests. The park is home to a huge number of animal species, including: tours, chamois, lynx, brown bears, wolves, boars, peregrines, Caucasian grouse, white-tailed eagles and others. The regime of the national park allows you to use the Elbrus region as a center of mountain tourism and skiing.
Source: RIA Novosti