Abstract: Altai Nature Reserve. General information and history of creation

Altai State Natural biosphere reserve, founded in April 1932, has an area of ​​8812.38 km 2, which is 9.4% of the territory of the entire Altai Republic.

Location of the central estate of the reserve (territory of the Turachak and Ulagansky districts, northeast Gorny Altai) - the village of Yailyu, the main office is the administrative center of the Altai Republic, Gorno-Altaisk. The reserve is part of the Golden Mountains of Altai object, included in the list World Heritage UNESCO.

Territory

The reserve is located in the central part of the Altai-Sayan mountainous country, its boundaries are outlined high ridges Altai Mountains, northern - Torot ridge, southern - spurs of the Chikhachev ridge (3021 m), northeastern - Abakan ridge (2890 m), eastern - Shapshal ridge (3507 m). The western limits of the reserve run along the Chulyshman River and the right bank and 22 thousand hectares of Lake Teletskoye, this is the pearl of the Altai Mountains or the “little Baikal” of Western Siberia.

The main goal of creating this environmental facility was to preserve the biodiversity of the flora and fauna of the shores and waters of Lake Teletskoye, its natural landscapes, to protect and restore cedar forests, populations of rare animals (sable, elk, deer) and endemic plants, for carrying out research work in ecological, biological and environmental sphere.

Animals of the reserve

Abundant and varied vegetation contributes to the creation favorable conditions life for large quantity various animals: more than 66 species of mammals, 3 species of reptiles, 6 species of amphibians, 19 species of fish, such as taimen, whitefish, grayling, dace, perch, char, sculpin, teletska sprat.

The population of a valuable representative of the marten family - the sable - has been restored here; among the predators in the reserve there are numerous animals such as bears, wolves, lynxes, wolverines, badgers, otters, and ermine is often found. 8 species of artiodactyls live here: deer, musk deer, elk, Mountain sheep, Siberian roe deer, ibex, reindeer, boar. Numerous squirrels jump from branch to branch; several species live in the forests near Lake Teletskoye rare representatives bats: Whiskered bat, Brandt's bat, Brown long-eared bat, Rufous bat, etc., listed in the Red Book of Altai and living exclusively in local landscapes.

Species diversity of avifauna

The reserve is home to 343 species of birds. Nutcrackers live in the forests; they eat pine nuts and also bury them in the ground as a reserve, thereby increasing the number of new, young seedlings. The motley hazel grouse lives here; it is practically invisible due to its camouflage, ruffed plumage.

Gray partridges and quails flutter in the valley of the Chulyshman River. They fly to protected lakes migratory birds (different kinds waders), 16 species of ducks nest, for example, in the lakes and swamps of the Chulyshman Highlands there are nests of the small teal duck. The rare bird Altai Ular lives on the Shapshalsky ridge.

Vegetable world

The reserve occupies a huge territory, in which there is room for both mountains and coniferous forests, and alpine meadows, and mountain tundra, and stormy rivers, and the purest alpine lakes, all this splendor stretches for 230 km, gradually increasing in its southeast. The most common tree species in the reserve are Siberian cedars, fir, larches, spruce, pine and dwarf birch. The reserve can be proud of its high-mountain cedar forests, because the trunk diameter of these ancient 300-400-year-old trees can reach two meters.

The flora is rich and diverse, these are higher vascular plants (1500 species), fungi (136 species), lichens (272 species), algae (668 species). There are no roads here; gigantic grasses grow under the trees in impenetrable thickets of raspberries, currants, rowan, viburnum and bird cherry. On the rocky slopes of the mountains grow wild gooseberry bushes and evergreen shrubs - Daurian rhodendron or maralberry. More than 20 species of relict plants grow here: European hoofweed, woodruff, black crow, and circe.

Red Book flora and fauna of the reserve

Among the 1.5 thousand species of vascular plants of the reserve, 22 are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, 49 in the Red Book of Altai. Plants of the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation: feather grass, feather grass, 3 species of lady's slipper, Altai rhubarb, Chuysky hornwort, Siberian toothwort, Altai drupe, etc.

Among the 68 mammals of the reserve, 2 species are listed in the International Red Book - Snow Leopard and the Altai mountain sheep, in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation - reindeer (forest subspecies - Rangifer tarandus), rare species of insects - Rhymnus blueberry, Apollo vulgaris, Kinderman's Erebia, Mnemosyne.

Among 343 species of birds, 22 are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation: spoonbill, black stork, common flamingo, bar-headed goose, steppe eagle, white-tailed eagle, etc., 12 species in the IUCN (International Red List) - Dalmatian pelican, white-eyed pochard, steppe harrier, imperial eagle, long-tailed eagle, white-tailed eagle, bustard, black vulture, steppe kestrel, etc.

Nature reserves of Russia- amazing beautiful places, if you set a goal to go around everything protected places Russia, then you need to devote your whole life to this. Therefore, we invite you to virtual trip in Russian nature reserves. A brief description of each of them contains information about location, creation, features and photos. There is enough information about Russian nature reserves to decide where you want to go. We suggest starting your visit to Russian reserves from the Altai Territory and its reserves.

Altai reserves

Altai Nature Reserve, Katunsky nature reserves, a three-kilometer protective strip around Lake Teletskoye, natural Park The Belukha whale and the Ukok rest zone together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site called the Altai - Golden Mountains.

Nature of Altai

Altai, Altai Mountains is a complex system of the highest ridges in Siberia, separated by deep river valleys and vast basins. Mountain system Altai is located where the borders of Russia, Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan meet. The name of the mountainous country Altai comes from the Mongolian word altyn - golden. Other Russian interpretation this word means motley mountains, and it more accurately reflects the picture that you will find in Altai: climbing high up the mountain, you will see that the slope facing north is overgrown with dense taiga, and the opposite southern slope is covered with dry steppe grasses and thorny acacia bushes and barberry. At the bottom of the valley, where the white waters of the Chui flow, summer is in full swing, and on the crests of high ridges, early spring is just beginning.

Why Altai is interesting

Tourists to Altai are attracted by Altai nature reserves and archaeological sites: thousands of burial mounds and ground burial grounds, ancient settlements and settlements, Stone Age cave sites, religious buildings and mining sites for copper and gold. Altai is a place of many religions: Christianity, Islam, Lamaism and Buddhism, and some Altai tribes still retain their pagan faith, and worship the good god Ulgen and the evil Erlik. Environmentally friendly products of natural origin have healing properties , for example, antlers, honey and propolis from mountain apiaries, mumiyo, golden root.

Altai State Nature Reserve

Brief information about the Altai Nature Reserve

Location: Altai Nature Reserve is located in the mountains Southern Siberia in the Turochaksky and Ulagansky regions of the Altai Republic.

Area of ​​the reserve: 881,238 hectares according to the 1981 forest inventory.

The length of the territory of the Altai Nature Reserve: from northwest to southeast - 230 km, width 30-40, up to 75 km.
The territory of the Altai and Katunsky reserves is included in the list of World Cultural and natural heritage UNESCO entitled "Golden Mountains of Altai" (1998)

Physiographical features of the Altai Nature Reserve

Along the boundaries of the reserve there are high ridges: in the north - the Torot ridge (a spur of the Abakan ridge, extending from it to the west almost at a right angle), in the northeast - Abakansky (Mount Sadonskaya, 2,890 m above sea level), in the extreme in the south - the spurs of the Chikhachev ridge (Mount Getedey, 3,021 m), in the east - Shapshalsky (Mount Toshkalykaya, 3,507 m). Several isolated mountain ranges are located in the center of the reserve: Kurkure (Mt. Kurkurebazhi, 3,111 m), Tetykol (up to 3,069 m), Chulyshmansky (Mount Bogoyash, 3,143 m). The western border runs along the Chulyshman River and Lake Teletskoye. More than 20% of the reserve's area is covered with rock, scree and pebble. The reserve has 1,190 lakes with an area of ​​more than 1 hectare each. On the Chulcha River, 8 km from the mouth, there is the largest waterfall in Altai - Bolshoy Chulchinsky (Uchar), this is a 150-meter cascade of water. The climate is continental.

Flora of the Altai Nature Reserve

The flora of the reserve is extremely rich. There are more than 500 species of algae and lichens. Plants - 1,480 species. The forests of the reserve mainly consist of coniferous species: Siberian larch, Siberian cedar and Siberian fir. 34 species of mosses, fungi, lichens and vascular plants are listed in the Red Books of the Altai Republic and Russia. More than 200 endemic species, as well as rare steppe, forest, aquatic and alpine communities are located on the territory of the Altai Nature Reserve. This determines its outstanding role in the protection of flora and vegetation of Southern Siberia.

Fauna of the Altai Nature Reserve

Of the mammals in the reserve, there are 11 species of insectivores, 7 chiropterans, 3 lagomorphs, 13 rodents, 16 species of predators (bear, lynx, otter, wolverine, sable, weasel and squirrel) and 8 species of artiodactyls (elk, red deer, mountain sheep, Siberian roe deer, Siberian ibex, reindeer and musk deer). The snow leopard, the snow leopard, is extremely rare in the reserve. This animal is listed in the Red Book of Russia. It lives mainly high in the mountains, above the forest line.
323 bird species have been recorded. Ptarmigan, capercaillie, quail, hazel grouse, sandpiper and others live here. The gray heron, black stork, whooper swan, little gull, pink starling, Altai snowcock, white-tailed eagle, golden eagle, peregrine falcon and osprey are listed in the Red Book.
There are 6 species of reptiles: viper, snakes, lizards and others. There is a great diversity of invertebrates - about 15 thousand species. The reservoirs of the reserve are home to 18 species of fish.

Features of visiting the Altai Nature Reserve

A visit to the reserve is only with the permission of the administration and is issued with the appropriate pass.

The territory of the Altai Nature Reserve is extraordinary natural beauty And aesthetic value, containing the most significant areas of biological diversity and having exceptional worldwide value from a scientific point of view. Altai Nature Reserve is one of the most large reserves Russia, its area is 9.4% of the entire territory of the Altai Republic. The entire right bank of Lake Teletskoye and 22 thousand hectares of its water area are located on protected area. The entire territory of the reserve does not have a single road (except for the recently extended crushed stone road in the north from the village of Biyka to the village of Yailyu.) The territory is practically impassable unless you use rare paths laid by foresters and staff of the reserve. However, you need to know the location of these trails well when going on a trip without a guide.

Altai Nature Reserve website: www.altzapovednik.ru

Katunsky Biosphere Reserve

Brief information about the Katunsky Nature Reserve

Established: Katunsky Nature Reserve was created on June 25, 1991 as a state reserve nature reserve, in January 2000 received biosphere status.
Location: The reserve is located in the highlands Central Altai, on the territory of the Ust-Koksinsky district of the Altai Republic.
Area of ​​the Katunsky Nature Reserve: 151,664 hectares.
Absolute altitudes of the reserve range from 1300 to 3280 m a.s.l. There are 135 lakes on the territory of the reserve with an area of ​​0.9 hectares or more.
Since January 2000, the territory adjacent to the Katunsky Nature Reserve has become the Belukha National Park.
The territory of the Katunsky and Altaisky reserves is included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List under the name “Golden Mountains of Altai” (1998).

Physiographical features of the Katunsky Nature Reserve

It is located in the highest mountainous part of Altai - on the Katunsky ridge. The area of ​​the reserve is 151 thousand hectares. The territory of the reserve is adjacent to Mount Belukha (4,506 m) - the highest point in Siberia, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. The reserve is located at altitudes from 1300 to 3280 m. Within its boundaries there are high mountains with large glaciers, snowfields and rocky deposits and mid-mountains with tundra, alpine and subalpine meadows. Forest communities dominate along deeply incised river valleys and in the lower parts of slopes.
The territory of the reserve is everywhere changed by ancient and modern glaciers, the activity of which is recorded in peaked peaks, karas, trough-shaped trough valleys with many lakes. One of the most powerful centers of modern glaciation in Altai is located here.
One of the largest rivers Altai - Katun. All rivers of the reserve belong to its basin and are mountainous in nature with large slopes. The reserve has 135 picturesque lakes, the origin of which is associated with the work of ancient glaciers.

Flora of the Katunsky Reserve

the vegetation is of the high-mountain taiga-forest-steppe type. Most plant species, especially those listed in the Red Books, are of interest. Of these, the following are noted on the territory of the reserve: Ukok larkspur, Altai rhubarb, steppe peony, rhodopes: frosty, four-cut, pink, coluria gravilate, Siberian kandyk, Altai onion, raponticum safflower and others (18 species in total). Also here there are endemics - species that grow only in this region (Krylov fescue, etc.) and relics of bygone eras (sharp-toothed dryad, etc.)

Fauna of the Katunsky Nature Reserve

The wildlife of the reserve is diverse. Currently, sightings of 55 species of mammals, 180 species of birds, 6 species of reptiles, 2 species of amphibians, 8 species of fish, and 135 species of lepidoptera have been recorded. Among the fur-bearing species of animals found here are sable, squirrel, weasel, ermine, solongoi, marmot, steppe polecat and American mink. No less typical predators are lynx, wolverine, fox and wolf. Their largest representative is the brown bear. Ungulates include elk, deer, roe deer, musk deer, Siberian Mountain goat. A special place is occupied by the snow leopard, listed in the Red Book of Russia and the IUCN. The Red Book of the Altai Republic includes the river otter, the mustachioed and Brandt's bats. Of the birds, the Red Book species are interesting: golden eagle, Altai snowcock, eagle owl, black stork, saker falcon and peregrine falcon. Reptiles are represented by four species of snakes - the patterned snake, the common copperhead snake, the steppe and common viper, and two species of lizards - the sand snake and the viviparous one. The rivers and lakes are inhabited by common taimen, grayling, lenok (uskuch), Siberian gudgeon, char, sculpin and common burbot.

Features of visiting the Katunsky Nature Reserve

By visiting the Katunsky Nature Reserve in the coming season or at any other time of the year by prior arrangement, you can:
get acquainted with the nature of the reserve, learn about nature conservation on the Katunsky ridge, touch the Altai and Old Believer culture, see the red deer, visit apiaries in the upper reaches of the river. Katun, test yourself in extreme conditions wildlife, go fishing in mountain rivers and lakes.

Website of the Katunsky Nature Reserve: www.katunsky.h1.ru

Tigirek Nature Reserve

Brief information about the Tigirek Nature Reserve

Tigireksky reserve is a state natural reserve,
The Tigirek Nature Reserve was established: December 4, 1999.
Location: Tigireksky Nature Reserve is located in the southwestern part of the Altai Territory, including the Zmeinogorsky, Tretyakovsky and Krasnoshchekovsky districts bordering Kazakhstan.
Area of ​​the Tigirek Nature Reserve: more than 40 thousand hectares.
The purpose of creating the Tigireksky reserve is to protect the poorly disturbed mountain ecosystems of western Altai.

Physiographical features of the Tigireksky reserve

The territory occupies the watershed between the right tributaries of the Charysh River and the upper reaches of the sources of the Alei River. The area of ​​the reserve is 40,693 hectares, with a protected zone of 26,257 hectares. Initially, the territory of the reserve was supposed to be about 300 thousand hectares. The reserve consists of three sections: Beloretsky - the upper reaches of the Belaya River, Tigireksky - adjacent to the village of Tigirek from the south, Khankharinsky - the upper reaches of the Bolshaya Khankhara River.
The reserve's terrain is mid-mountain with dome-shaped peaks. Absolute heights reach 2200 meters above sea level. There are many rivers in the territory, the largest of which is the Belaya. The climate of the reserve is sharply continental with hot summers and cold winter. In January, temperatures can drop to −49ºC −52ºС, the absolute maximum in July is +33ºC +38ºС.

Flora of the Tigirek Nature Reserve

The characteristics of the reserve's vegetation cover are determined by its geographical location, climate heterogeneity and diversity of environmental conditions. The main area is occupied by black taiga, which is an ancient (relict) formation. The Tigirek Nature Reserve is a refuge for the following tertiary relics: Osmorias spinosa, European hoofed grass, Common wolfberry, and Campanula latifolia. The flora of the reserve includes a large number of medicinal, fodder, melliferous, ornamental plants. Medicinal plants growing in the Tigirek Nature Reserve include: Rhodiola rosea (golden root), Raponticum safflower (maral root), peony marin root, bergenia thick-leaved. Among food plants, the most famous are spinach sorrel, blueberry, common viburnum, prickly rose hip, and common asparagus. The Red Data Books of the RSFSR and the Altai Territory include those growing in the Tigirek Nature Reserve: male shieldweed, Altai Stelleropsis, Altai onion, Bludov's iris, broad-leaved bellflower, marin root peony and others.

Fauna of the Tigirek Nature Reserve

The fauna of the reserve is represented primarily by such large animals as brown bear, deer, roe deer, and elk. Sable, weasel weasel, ermine, squirrel, chipmunk, and mountain hare are common throughout the territory of the Tigirek Nature Reserve. Less common are lynx, weasel, wolverine, solongoi, and a few musk deer.
Also on the territory of the Tigirek Nature Reserve there are many species of birds. The most characteristic forest birds are hazel grouse, black grouse, great owl, great owl, nutcracker, and occasionally capercaillie is found.
Employees of the Tigirek Nature Reserve in the Altai Territory discovered three species of birds that had not previously been seen here. These are the greenfinch, the great magpie and the little grosbeak. The press center of the reserve emphasized that the lesser grosbeak was recorded for the first time not only in Altai, but also, possibly, in Western Siberia.

Tigiretsky Nature Reserve website: www.tigirek.asu.ru

Prepared based on materials from the websites of Altai nature reserves and Wikipedia - the free encyclopedia

On the tops Altai mountains you can see, perhaps, some of the most beautiful places on the planet - alpine meadows. The “kingdom” has not yet begun here permafrost", which is located higher, but the monotonous tundra has already ended. Alpine meadows are found not only in the Alps. This is a collective name that is used to designate low-grass vegetation at the upper limit of its existence in the Pyrenees, Apennines, Cordillera, Caucasus and Altai. During an extremely short warm period, a real miracle is formed here - a continuous carpet of herbs and flowers.

• Full name Altai State Natural Biosphere Reserve.
• IUCN Category: Ia (Strict Natural Reserve).
• Date of foundation: April 16, 1932.
• Region: mountains of Southern Siberia in the Turochaksky region of the Altai Republic.
• Area: 882,000 hectares.
• Relief: mountainous.
• Climate: continental.
• Official website: http://www.altzapovednik.ru/.
• Email: [email protected].

History of creation

The Altai Nature Reserve is one of the largest in Russia. Initially, it was allocated an area of ​​up to 1.3 million hectares, but gradually they were reduced to the size that exists today. It is interesting that since 1930, a family of Old Believers hermits, the Lykovs, lived in the Altai mountains, completely unfamiliar with modern civilization.

The Altai Nature Reserve is, without a doubt, a treasure of Russia. That is why today it is difficult to understand how it could happen that the reserve was liquidated twice - in 1951 and 1961.

Vegetable world

On the territory of the reserve grow 1,480 species of vascular plants from 107 families, 250 species of mosses, more than 500 algae, among which diatoms of Lake Teletskoe and other reservoirs, and about 37 species of lichens predominate. In total, about 200 plant species are endemic to this region.

The coniferous forests of the Altai Nature Reserve consist mainly of Siberian cedar (Pinus sibirica), Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) and Siberian spruce (Picea obovata). The main deciduous tree species are birch - warty birch (Betula pendula) and downy birch (Betula pubescens).

On the mountain peaks of Altai grows the outlandish edelweiss flower (Leontopodium), translated from Greek as “lion’s paw” (from leon - “lion” and podion - “paw”). It is also called the Alpine star, the silver flower of the rocks. As an image of strong love that overcomes any obstacles, as well as a symbol of inaccessibility and good luck, this flower is found in many Altai tales and legends.

Altai herbs... This phrase always sounds fascinating for admirers of a healthy lifestyle, because Altai herbs mean healing, rare, and have amazing properties. But these ideas are actually close to the truth. The most common here are goldenrod (Solidago dahurica), bitterleaf (Saussurea latifolia), thistle (Cirsiurn helenioides), raponticum (leuzea) safflower, or maral root (Rhaponticum carthamoides), a unique medicinal plant that grows in the Altai mountains. It effectively improves immunity and promotes overall strengthening of the body. It was “suggested” to man by deer - Siberian red deer (Cervus maral).

Animal world

58 species of mammals, 323 of birds, 6 of reptiles, 18 of fish and about 15 of invertebrates live here.

The animal world of Altai is rich and diverse: from squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) and Asian chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus) to deer (Cervus maral), bears (Ursus arctos) and wolverines ( Gulo gulo). One of the most remarkable animals is the lynx ( Lynx lynx). She has mastered all the landscapes and habitats of Altai remarkably well, climbs trees, runs and swims well. Lynx fur is considered a particularly chic item, so these animals are in danger.

Wolverine is a predatory animal of the mustelid family, resembling both a bear and a badger. Having long legs disproportionate to the proportions of the body (with a maximum body length of 86 cm average length limbs - 10 cm), the animal moves easily, like on skis, on the snow cover.

Among all the inhabitants of the reserve, birds most clearly characterize its main feature: altitudinal zonation. In general, 323 species of birds live on the territory of the Altai Nature Reserve. Black-throated loon (Gavia arctica) and red-cheeked grebe (Podiceps auritus) are found in the water bodies. In the forests you can always see the Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) and Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos).

There are 14 species of fish in the waters of Lake Teletskoye, among which the most common are taimen (Hucho taimen), Teletskoye grayling (Thymallus arcticus), and lenok (Brachymystax lenok).

The main attraction of the Altai Nature Reserve is Lake Teletskoye, which is 78 km long and has a maximum depth of 325 m. About 400 years ago, tribes who called themselves Teles lived along the shores of the lake, which is how this name appeared. But the local population called it Altyn-Kel - “Golden Lake”. Except main river Chulyshman 70 rivers and more than 150 temporary watercourses flow into it. Lake Teletskoye flows into the Biya River, feeding the Ob with its waters. Korbu Waterfall, a natural monument since 1978, is located at the foot of the Korbu ridge, a hundred meters from the shore of Lake Teletskoye. It, like the entire right bank of the lake, is located on the territory of the Altai Nature Reserve. The only way to get to Korbu is by boat on the lake. And such excursions are very popular among tourists.

In the Uimon steppe near the Chulyshman valley there is a unique a natural phenomenon- stone mushrooms, rocky formations that have formed over thousands of years under the influence of erosion and weathering.

Information for visitors

Reserve mode

The Altai Nature Reserve can be visited by agreement with its administration. The Teletska School of Youth Ecotourism has been established at the reserve. A number of interesting ecological routes are constantly operating.

How to get there

You can get to Gorno-Altaisk by train, then by car or regular bus to the village of Artybash at the mouth of Lake Teletskoye. After this there is a lake message. By car you can get to the village of Yailyu - the central estate of the Altai Nature Reserve.

Where to stay

In the villages of Yogach and Artybash, located near the reserve, at the mouth of Lake Teletskoye, there is a network of campsites, tourist centers and “green” houses. There is an information center of the Altai Nature Reserve, where you can find out all the information about accommodation, excursion and other tourist services. In the village of Yailyu there is a guest house, as well as “green” houses of local residents, where you can stay by prior arrangement.

ALTAIC
reserve

Location and history of the Altai Nature Reserve

The reserve was officially created in 1932, although the need for its creation had been there since 1920. For almost 12 years, the country’s government could not decide on the size of the reserve’s territory; as a result, its actual area was more than 1.3 million hectares. In 1951 it was liquidated due to difficulties with logging. After 7 years it was restored, but with significant territorial losses. Some time later, in 1961, the reserve was liquidated for the second time and 6 years later it was restored again. Today the area of ​​the reserve is 881,238 hectares. The Altai Nature Reserve is located in the central and eastern parts of Altai, including the waters of Lake Teletskoye. Along the boundaries of the reserve there are high ridges, most of them are characterized by high-mountain alpine terrain with narrow ridges and sharp peaks, the rest have high- and mid-mountain weakly dissected terrain. Most of the rivers of the reserve begin on the Abakan and Shapshalsky ridges; they cross the entire territory in width. Among the longest rivers are the Chulcha (98 km), Bogoyash (58 km), Shavla (67 km), Chulyshman (241 km, 60 km in the reserve). Most river valleys have steep, forested slopes. The reserve's rivers are very picturesque; more than ten have waterfalls, the height of which ranges from 6 to 60 km. The most beautiful and largest is considered to be “Unapproachable” on the river. Chulche. The main part of the lakes is located in the highlands, there are 1190 of them in the reserve, the largest is located in the Dzhulukul basin and bears the same name. The most beautiful lake Altai - Lake Teletskoye with surrounding mountains and dark coniferous taiga, its length is 78 km, and its area is only 232 km2, but it contains 40 billion cubic meters. m of clean fresh water.

Nature of the Altai Nature Reserve

The climate is continental in nature, due to the position of the reserve near Asia, but in different parts climatic conditions are not the same. For example, in the northern part, summers are warm and humid, the average July temperature is + 16.0 0C, winters are snowy and mild (the average January temperature is 8.7 0C), while in the southeastern part in winter the temperature drops to - 50 0C , and in summer – up to 30 0С. The soil cover of the reserve is varied. It changes from chernozem - on the steppe slopes to acidic cryptopodzolic - in the taiga. More than 20% of the area is covered with screes, pebbles and rocks. The vegetation is represented by steppes, mountain forests (fir, cedar, larch, spruce), subalpine shrubs and woodlands, meadows and mountain tundra. In the reserve there are plants listed in the Red Book: among mushrooms - double networt, griffola umbellata, coral blackberry, maiden umbrella mushroom; among lichens – lobaria pulmonata and reticulata, stikta fringed; from bryophytes - Krylov's campilium.

There are 1,480 species of vascular plants known on the territory of the reserve. Dahurian goldenrod is widespread in the meadows and forests throughout the reserve. Of the especially protected species, the majestic dendrathema is found - a subshrub with white and lilac inflorescences-baskets, found on the rocks of the coast of Lake Teletskoye and the right bank of Chulyshman. Among the cereals, sphagnum fescue, downy oatmeal, fragrant alpine spikelet, meadow foxtail are common; the rarest are Kitagawa's serpentine, Sobolevsky's bluegrass, Mongolian oatmeal, Vereshchagin's reed grass, as well as feather grass and Zalessky's feather grass. In the meadows and clearings there are rare species from the orchid family, listed in the Red Book - Lezel's liparis, Baltic palmate root, Helmet orchids, lady's slipper and grandiflora, leafless chinwort. Of the specially protected ones, there are Altai onion, used for harvesting, Martyanov's cucumber and vesicularis - recently appeared plants, Altai rhubarb, widely used in breeding. Such rare view, like the amazing bedstraw, found only in the reserve, and Brunnera sibirica, which does not grow in other reserves. True and meadow steppes are most common in the reserve. True steppes are common on gentle slopes. Particularly interesting in early spring look purple flowers a dubious lumbago against the background of dry yellowed grass, bathed in the rays of the first sun. Forests are represented mainly by coniferous species. Larch forms sparse forests; sometimes there are isolated, lonely trees in the highlands. Cedar forms dense stands in the reserve and is the main tree species. Siberian spruce and Scots pine do not play in the reserve leading role, but their plantings are sometimes found along river banks and sphagnum bogs. Silver birch and common aspen are characteristic of the Priteletsky region; they are also found on steep slopes and in the depths of the taiga, where there has never been any clearing. In forests, meadow vegetation is extremely rare, upland meadows can be seen in separate areas, and lowland meadows developed in river floodplains occupy a small area. Only in certain areas of the Abakan ridge, the upper reaches of Chulcha and the right bank of Shavla are subalpine meadows, distinguished by their colorfulness and diversity, well represented. The soils of the birch-moss tundras are completely covered with mosses, creating the effect of a carpet spreading under your feet. Rocky and gravelly tundras occupy the largest area of ​​the highlands. Swamp plants occupy small areas of the reserve, since real swamps are extremely rare. But on the territory of the reserve there are many lakes, rivers, streams, but they are not rich in aquatic vegetation.

Animals of the Altai Nature Reserve

The fauna of the reserve includes 73 species of mammals, 310 birds, 6 reptiles and 2 amphibians. Only the Pravdin galloisiana, which lives under stones in coniferous-small-leaved forests, is considered a specially protected insect of the Altai Nature Reserve. The Red Book includes Apollo, Phoebus, Gero's sennitsa, swallowtail, as well as Eversmann's Apollo and the blue ribbon butterfly.

There are 16 species of fish in the reserve. Lake Teletskoye is home to pike, perch and burbot. Along the coast of Lake Teletskoye there are gobies that feed on burbot. Grayling is considered the most common species in water bodies. The most big fish in the reserve - taimen, and the smallest whitefish - Pravdina, does not exceed 20 g in weight from the salmon family. Through the thin ice in November at the mouth of the Chulyshman you can see a school of fish called Telets dace. If startled, it swims to the shallowest places and turns over on its side, moving between the ice and the bottom.

All types of amphibians and reptiles of the reserve are found in the Chulyshman Valley. Pointy-faced frog is common for the reserve, but it lives much higher than in other places, so, if in Altai it is from 400 to 1800 m, then in the reserve it is found at an altitude of 2140 m. Steppe viper quite rare, but a viviparous lizard and common viper distributed everywhere.

The bird fauna includes 311 species, of which more than 50 species are listed in the Red Book of the Altai Republic. The black-throated loon lives near large fishless reservoirs; the red-necked grebe can be seen on thermokarst lakes. On the islands of Lake Dzhulukul, colonies of great cormorants and herring gulls nest among large boulders. Various species of ducks are found throughout the reserve: bean geese live in the most remote corners, and common geese during their autumn migrations descend to the Kamginsky or Kyginsky bays, filling the area with their cackling sounds. At this time, you can see whooping swans on Lake Teletskoye. Of the 28 species of diurnal birds of prey, 9 are included in the Red Book of Russia - golden eagle, steppe eagle, bearded vulture, peregrine falcon, saker falcon, osprey and black vulture. Small falcons, black kites and common buzzards are found almost everywhere, and goshawks and sparrowhawks are found in the forest zone. There are 10 species of gallinaceous birds and the same number of waders in the reserve. Seeds of cereals and others herbaceous plants partridges feed, capercaillie live in the taiga, the number of hazel grouse is greatest at an altitude of 1200 to 1400 m above sea level. The quail population has unfortunately declined over the past 40 years. From mid-May, the sound of the cuckoo's voice is usually muffled and muffled. In the Pritelets region there are 7 species of woodpeckers: yellow woodpecker, three-toed woodpecker, large motley white-backed, gray-haired and small motley - distributed evenly throughout the territory, and only the whirligig appears in early May.

The Siberian mole lives in valleys up to the subalpine zone. In the northern half of the reserve, caves are common the bats. From the order of rodents there are forest and gray voles, V populated areas – gray rats and the common hamster. Ubiquitous common squirrel and the Asian chipmunk. From carnivorous mammals Wolves and foxes are common. Wolves live along the eastern shore of Lake Teletskoye and in the lower part of the Chulyshman basin; in winter they feed on deer, and in summer on rodents, birds and their clutches. Foxes are found in the southern part of the reserve. They wander through the sun on the slopes of Lake Teletskoye from April to May brown bears and eat insects and the remains of deer after winter. The number of badgers in the reserve is small, and the otter is very rare. Wolverine is the strongest and most agile animal that lives in the forest zone, feeds on the remains of wolf prey, and sometimes kills young deer. The sable is a valuable fur-bearing animal, for the sake of preserving the species of which the Altai Nature Reserve was created. In 1930 it was almost completely exterminated. Currently, nothing threatens the sable population and it can be found throughout the reserve in forest lands and shrubby tundras. The American mink has appeared in the reserve since the 1930s and now its traces can be found in the taiga. Of the ungulates, the most numerous are the deer; their number in the reserve is 2,000 individuals. Elk are found throughout the reserve. The roe deer is currently a fairly small species, but its numbers are currently growing. Since 1970, wild boar entered the reserve from Tuva and successfully settled there; its numbers are increasing every year.

We suggest starting your visit to Russian reserves from the Altai Territory and its reserves. The Altai Nature Reserve, the Katunsky Nature Reserves, the three-kilometer protected zone around Lake Teletskoye, the Belukha Natural Park and the Ukok Quiet Area collectively form a UNESCO World Heritage Site called Altai - Golden Mountains. The total area of ​​the protected zone is 16,178 square meters. km. Within the protected zone there are some places where Pazyryk burial grounds were discovered.

Brief information about the Altai Nature Reserve

Location: The Altai Nature Reserve is located in the mountains of Southern Siberia in the Turochaksky and Ulagansky regions of the Altai Republic.

Area of ​​the reserve: 881,238 hectares according to the 1981 forest inventory.

The length of the territory of the Altai Nature Reserve: from northwest to southeast - 230 km, width 30-40, up to 75 km.
The territory of the Altai and Katunsky reserves is included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List under the name “Golden Mountains of Altai” (1998)

Physiographical features of the Altai Nature Reserve

Along the boundaries of the reserve there are high ridges: in the north - the Torot ridge (a spur of the Abakan ridge, extending from it to the west almost at a right angle), in the northeast - Abakansky (Mount Sadonskaya, 2,890 m above sea level), in the extreme in the south - the spurs of the Chikhachev ridge (Mount Getedey, 3,021 m), in the east - Shapshalsky (Mount Toshkalykaya, 3,507 m). Several isolated mountain ranges are located in the center of the reserve: Kurkure (Mt. Kurkurebazhi, 3,111 m), Tetykol (up to 3,069 m), Chulyshmansky (Mount Bogoyash, 3,143 m). The western border runs along the Chulyshman River and Lake Teletskoye. More than 20% of the reserve's area is covered with rock, scree and pebble. The reserve has 1,190 lakes with an area of ​​more than 1 hectare each. On the Chulcha River, 8 km from the mouth, there is the largest waterfall in Altai - Bolshoy Chulchinsky (Uchar), this is a 150-meter cascade of water. The climate is continental.

Flora of the Altai Nature Reserve

The flora of the reserve is extremely rich. There are more than 500 species of algae and lichens. Plants - 1,480 species. The forests of the reserve mainly consist of coniferous species: Siberian larch, Siberian cedar and Siberian fir. 34 species of mosses, fungi, lichens and vascular plants are listed in the Red Books of the Altai Republic and Russia. More than 200 endemic species, as well as rare steppe, forest, aquatic and alpine communities are located on the territory of the Altai Nature Reserve. This determines its outstanding role in the protection of flora and vegetation of Southern Siberia.

Fauna of the Altai Nature Reserve

Of the mammals in the reserve, there are 11 species of insectivores, 7 chiropterans, 3 lagomorphs, 13 rodents, 16 species of predators (bear, lynx, otter, wolverine, sable, weasel and squirrel) and 8 species of artiodactyls (elk, red deer, mountain sheep, Siberian roe deer, Siberian ibex, reindeer and musk deer). The snow leopard, the snow leopard, is extremely rare in the reserve. This animal is listed in the Red Book of Russia. It lives mainly high in the mountains, above the forest line.
323 bird species have been recorded. Ptarmigan, capercaillie, quail, hazel grouse, sandpiper and others live here. The gray heron, black stork, whooper swan, little gull, pink starling, Altai snowcock, white-tailed eagle, golden eagle, peregrine falcon and osprey are listed in the Red Book.
There are 6 species of reptiles: viper, snakes, lizards and others. There is a great diversity of invertebrates - about 15 thousand species. The reservoirs of the reserve are home to 18 species of fish.

Features of visiting the Altai Nature Reserve

A visit to the reserve is only with the permission of the administration and is issued with the appropriate pass.

The territory of the Altai Nature Reserve is of extraordinary natural beauty and aesthetic value, containing the most significant habitats of biological species and having exceptional worldwide value from a scientific point of view. The Altai Nature Reserve is one of the largest nature reserves in Russia, its area is 9.4% of the entire territory of the Altai Republic. The entire right bank of Lake Teletskoye and 22 thousand hectares of its water area are located in a protected area. The entire territory of the reserve does not have a single road (except for the recently extended crushed stone road in the north from the village of Biyka to the village of Yailyu.) The territory is practically impassable unless you use rare paths laid by foresters and staff of the reserve. However, you need to know the location of these trails well when going on a trip without a guide.

Altai Nature Reserve website: www.altzapovednik.ru