Lotus lake and forest wealth: secrets of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain (July-August)

Volga-Akhtuba floodplain is a unique natural zone, in its features and soil fertility, occupying the 2nd place in the world after the floodplain of the Nile River, which gave life to a whole civilization. In this excursion, we will explore the diversity of flora of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain in the summer.

First we will go to Lotus Lake - a unique reservoir of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain, where the northernmost lotuses in Russia grow. Lotus is a large water-loving plant, which in different cultures is considered a symbol of purity, peace and spirituality. When flowering, the lotus exudes a pleasant smell, and its huge flowers are pink or white. On Lotus Lake, a nut-bearing lotus grows; its flowers are pink. There you can take unforgettable photos of lotuses.

After that, we will go to the village of Kuibyshev to study the most remarkable types of trees of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain: cherry oak, ordinary poplar, silver poplar and elm. Let’s talk about what mycorrhiza is and how mushrooms choose to be their “owners” of trees. Separately, consider the mulberry tree, which now grows as a wild species in the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain, although in the XVIII century under Peter I it was specially grown for the production of silk. You will learn the history of silk production on the Lower Volga and learn to distinguish the mulberry tree from other trees.

At the end of our trip, we will talk about the difference between the concepts of river and erik, you can also swim in the largest floodplain river - Akhtuba - and learn its history.