Baikal Lena Nature Reserve
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Baikal Lena Nature Reserve
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 Baikal Lena nature reserve approx. 10 km from the Lena source |
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| location | Irkutsk , Russia | |
| surface | 659,919 ha | |
| WDPA ID | 15778 | |
| Geographical location | 55 ° 13 ' N , 107 ° 45' E | |
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| Sea level | from 455 m to 2201 m | |
| Setup date | 5th December 1986 | |
| administration | Irkutsk | |
| particularities | The longest river in Russia, the Lena, has its source in the nature reserve. | |
The Baikal-Lena Nature Reserve ( Russian Байкало-Ленский заповедник ) is a Russian nature reserve located in the Irkutsk Oblast in the Baikal Mountains . The protected area covers a total area of 6599 square kilometers and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site . It extends from Cape Oncholoi in the south to Cape Jelochin in the north along the western shore of Lake Baikal . It ranks 14th among the largest Russian nature reserves. The Lena , the world's tenth largest river, has its source on its territory . It is the habitat for thousands of plant species, a large brown bear population , the unique freshwater baikal seal , 50 other mammal species and 240 bird species, including black stork and velvet duck .
history
The Baikal Lena Nature Reserve was established on December 5, 1986 in the territories of the Katschug and Olkhon Rajons of Irkutsk Oblast by a resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) . 93 percent of its area is in the Katschug district alone. The nature reserve extends about 120 km from south to north along the western shore of Lake Baikal. Its mean width is about 65 km and its total circumference about 520 km. Its establishment is connected with the restoration and expansion of the area of the Barguzin Nature Reserve , the area of which was reduced in 1951. In the second half of the 1950s, environmental activists campaigned for the protection of nature around Lake Baikal, including the ecologist OK Gussew , the geographer and chairman of the Baikal Commission of the Geographical Society of the RSFSR WW Lamakin and GI Galasi. They suggested protecting not only the eastern shore of Lake Baikal and the Ushkani Islands , but also parts of the western shore from the Ryty estuary to the Kotelnikov estuary. Gusew advocated the name Brown Bear Bank ( Russian Берег бурых медведей ) for this part of the protected area. In May 1960, the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR issued a decree on the protection and use of natural resources in the Lake Baikal basin , which was not implemented in 1961 due to a reorganization of the protection system. In 1969 another government decree came into force, on the basis of which a nature reserve between Lena and Kirenga was proposed. Interest in establishing this protected area grew in the mid-1970s with the start of construction on the Baikal-Amur Mainline and the associated anthropogenic changes in the adjacent landscapes. In 1976, an investigation expedition was sent to Irkutsk Oblast, which was entrusted with the planning of the Vitimsky nature reserve in Bodaibo district . The proposal of some specialists to establish the Baikal Lena nature reserve in this context was rejected by the executive committee. It was not until 1984, when the biocenosis had already suffered major damage from fires and poaching, that the design of a protected area under the direction of AS Alexandrow began in this part of the landscape. Scientific director of this work was the employee and ecologist of the Biological Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR JG Schwezow. Several scientific institutions in Irkutsk, hunting and forestry managers, cartographers and other specialists were also involved.
The reserve consists of three forestry zones: Brown Bear Bank, Upper Lena and Kirensk. Originally it was subordinate to the Higher Hunting Authority of the RSFSR and then to the Russian environmental protection agencies. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation has been responsible since 2000. In December 1996, the Baikal-Lena , Bargrusinsk and Baikal nature reserves were added to the UNESCO list of world cultural and natural heritage.
climate
The climate in the part of the Baikal region of the nature reserve is essentially determined by the influence of Lake Baikal, which creates a specific complex of climatic factors. This is particularly reflected in the atmospheric circulation, the temperature and the humidity. The thermal interaction of the Baikal with its surroundings (cooling in spring and summer, warming in autumn and winter) can be determined up to 500 m above its water level and up to a distance of 1.5 to 2 km from the bank, depending on the morphology and the landscape of the Bank area. At a certain altitude, where the cooling effect of the lake can no longer be measured in the summer months and the influence of the cooler layers of air is not yet effective, there is a zone of thermal maximum on the bank slope. In this way, two scenic-climatic zones exist in the Baikal Basin: the Baikal's own limnological climate and the climatic belt of the high mountains. In the northern territory of the nature reserve, harsher climatic conditions prevail. Temperatures of 12.1 ° C (July) to 13.9 ° C (August) are measured on the shoreline, which is cooler in summer. In the comparatively mild winter, the average minimum temperatures are between –10.5 ° C (December) and –17.9 ° C (January). The frost-free period lasts about 100 to 120 days. Over the year, an average of 249 mm of precipitation falls, of which 70% of this amount was measured in the warm season. The lowest rainfall occurs in the southern part of the area. In the first half of summer, constant fog is characteristic of the area of the protected area near the shore and the central mountain region. Persistent strong winds ( foehn ) in the transition period between summer and autumn have a dynamic influence on the western macro slope of the Baikal Mountains and the adjacent coastal area and also lower the temperature on the surface of Lake Baikal due to the mixing of the higher with the deeper water layers.
The climate in the Lena-Kirenga area of the nature reserve is characterized by short warm and humid summers. The maximum average temperatures are between 16.1 ° C (July) and 13.1 ° C (August). The winters are long, cold and snowy with a mean minimum temperature between -24.2 ° C (December) and -26.7 ° C (January). The frost-free period is significantly shorter in contrast to the part near the coast: 60 to 89 days. Frosts were observed from late June to early July. Spread over the year, precipitation falls from 315 to 390 mm, the majority of which (66 to 71%) falls in the warm season.
geology
In the southern part of the Baikal Mountains sediments from the younger Proterozoic dominate : sandstone , quartzite , dolomite rock , limestone , slate and others. Intrusions occur as acidic rock such as granite or diabase . Further north there is volcanic tufa . In the Lena-Kirenga area of the nature reserve, there existed a sea up until the Younger Jura that favored the development of a thick sedimentary rock. At the core of the anticlines are rocks from the Cambrian period . The sulfate-carbonate layers consist of dolomites and limestones with subordinate layers of marl and anhydrites . The soil of the Baikal Mountains has a gravelly composition. Acid, organic-gravelly, peat-containing soils spread here. Humus-like bleaching earth predominates at the tree line.
relief
The macro-relief of the territory consists of two large morphostructural units: the southern third of the Baikal Mountains and the eastern edge of the Baikal Depression. The highest elevation of the Baikal Mountains in the protected area is 2201 m above sea level . The watershed line runs at 1700 m. The Baikal Mountains are asymmetrical. The eastern mountain slope drops steeply to Baikal. The foothills of the western mountain slope merge into the sloping foothills and the eastern edge of the Baikal depression. The mountain range divides the nature reserve into two unequal parts (in terms of size and physical-geographical conditions): Baikal and Lena-Kirenga.
flora
947 plant species and subspecies belonging to 355 genera and 90 families are recorded on the area of the nature reserve. The flora is relatively undisturbed because only 5% of the species have immigrated. This condition is caused by the difficult accessibility of the area, the limited number of paths on which people have access and their location on the periphery of the protected area. Compared to other areas of the Northern Baikal Region, the biodiversity of the nature reserve is higher. In its basic features, the flora of the nature reserve is typical for continental areas of the mountain taiga of the Asian part of the Holarctic . Although not very autonomous, it has its own specific properties. 79% of the existing species are included in the stock of the three main species complexes , which are roughly the same size . The forest flora complex combines 27% of the general number of species, the mountain and steppe flora complex each 26%. Although the steppe flora is the richest in species, it takes up less than 5% of the area of the protected area. A quarter of all species are found here. Allochthonous and autochthonous tendencies of florogenesis are balanced in mountain flora, allochtonous predominate in forest flora, and autochthonous in steppe flora.
The distribution of plants in the area of the nature reserve is uneven. Certain sections contain only specific species that are endemic and not found in other parts of the region. There are 250 specific species and subspecies of vascular plants in the Baikal region , 117 in the part of the Baikal Mountains and 116 in the Lena-Kirenga Basin. The forest flora is dominated by species with a large distribution area in which the European influence is visible. In recent times the forest flora has formed in close interaction with the flora of the Sajan and Transbaikal regions . The mountain flora is heterogeneous, there are alpine species of Siberian origin, but also migrants, who mainly come from the north-eastern regions of Asia.
The Baikal Lena Nature Reserve plays a vital role in maintaining biodiversity. 21% of the vascular plant species of Siberia, 36% of the plant species of the Baikal region and about 50% of the native flora of the Irkutsk Oblast grow here. Populations of 142 species have been preserved. There are six types of conifers in the forests of the reserve : Siberian and Chekanovsky larch , Scots pine , Siberian stone pine , Siberian fir and Norway spruce . The five dominant deciduous tree species are: bog birch , silver birch , Ermans birch , aspen and Siberian balsam poplar . Conifer species occupy 70.5% and deciduous tree species 10.2% of the forest-covered area. Closed forest makes up 86.4% of the area of the nature reserve.
fauna
In the protected area, there are four basic types of animal populations, according to a classification of living beings in certain landscapes: steppe, meadow, taiga and high mountains. A total of at least 320 vertebrate species were counted, which could be divided into six classes, 47 groups, 87 families and 190 genera.
fishes
The waters of the nature reserve are home to around 15 species of fish. Arctic grayling , lenok , Prosopium cylindraceum and burbot live in the Lena . Pike and perch can only be found in Lake Severnoye at Cape Pokoiny. It is planned to reintroduce the Taimen , which died out before the creation of the reserve. Grayling and Siberian char can be found in the mountain lakes, and Phoxinus in the rivers .
Birds
The bird life in the reserve comprises 235 species, 146 of which breed here and five overwinter. The great bustard is exterminated. Birds are typically found more frequently in the mountain taiga, less so in the water-swamp areas, the high mountains and in the steppe landscapes. Of the walking birds, black stork (10 to 15 pairs with an upward trend) and gray crane are not uncommon. During the bird migration in spring and autumn, the young lesser crane and gray heron can be found in the region .
All species of waterfowl typical in this region occur in the area of the protected area. Their populations have increased significantly since the reserve was established. Velvet , shoveler , sickle duck and gadfly often live in the shores of Lake Baikal . Rare were Snow Goose , Lesser White , Baikal teal and spot-billed duck observed. In addition to various species of ducks and geese, swans and sawyers also stay in the coastal zone during bird migration . About 30 species of waders breed in the lagoon and bay areas. Common terns gather in large schools in autumn. Mornell ringed plovers , hermit cassins and Asian velvet ducks live on the high mountain lakes .
Of the 20 bird of prey species, the sparrowhawk , goshawk , buzzard , black kite and kestrel are mainly found in the mountain taiga . White-tailed eagles no longer breed in the reserve. Live along the tributaries of the Lena osprey . Characteristic of the Baikal region are different owl species, such as long-eared owl and short-eared owl . In some years snow owls are registered.
Around 120 species of sparrows were also observed. In the lower mountains there are real thrush species , swirls, redstart, warbler, swallows, stilts and the like. a. to be found, besides waxwing, crossbill and several species of corvids in winter. Songbirds such as willow tit , coal tit, nuthatch or warblers are typical of the region's mountain taiga belt, but are less common in the alpine area. Redstart, reed bunting , mountain pipit , brown fish and Asian house martin breed there . In the steppe areas of the coastal region, Isabel's wheatear , ear lark , red chalk and bunting species breed.
Mammals
The reserve's mammals are better researched than other animal groups. There are 52 species of mammals typical of the North Siberian areas of the Palearctic , including:
- ten insectivore species
- seven bat species
- 16 species of rodents
- two rabbits
- twelve species of predator
- a species of seal (the endemic Baikal seal)
- five ungulate species
The sable is the most common predator of the mountain taiga. Almost everywhere kicking Wolverine in appearance. The habitats of weasels , otters and ermines run along the river valleys . The badger is extremely rare, its occurrence was only detected in 1997/98. The habitat of the lynx is in the southwestern part of the reserve and on the eastern slope of the Baikal Mountains . Up to 30 individuals were counted. The range of the wolf is linked to that of the ungulates. Foxes are usually more common in the southern half of the Baikal Coast. Among the large predators, the brown bear is the most common. It is widespread on the entire territory of the reserve.
The Baikal seal is usually found on the west bank of Lake Baikal. In 1984, during the establishment of the protected area, 100 seals were counted between the mouth of the Bolshaya Ledjanaja river and Cape Kedrovy, and they appeared in larger groups. After the population declined, it is currently recovering.
Among the ungulates, the musk deer are common (15 to 20 individuals per 1000 ha), especially in the forests of the eastern Baikal Mountains. The elk population is concentrated in the summer at individual lakes and along the river valleys. In some areas there are six to eight specimens per 1000 hectares. In autumn they move to the southwest, often outside of the protected area. The main wintering spots for the moose are along the Lena and Tukolon rivers. The distribution area of the red deer extends over the entire reserve. About 600 animals live in two territorial groups on the eastern and western slopes of the Baikal Mountains. Reindeer live in the alpine zone, the mountain tundra, in summer. There are then 300 to 400 animals to be found. Hardly 100 specimens overwinter in the Lena valley. The animals can be hunted outside the reserve, so their numbers stagnate. Siberian deer populations are stable, but no more than 50 animals are counted in winter. Intensive hunting outside of the protected area reduces the population.
There are two types of hare-like: the mountain hare , which can be found in the alluvial forests of the western slope and in the light forests of the Baikal coast, and the northern pika , which occurs in the tundra, but also in the forest belt. The squirrel plays a special role among rodents. In 1984 its population was still large compared to the current one. The flying squirrel is rare but characteristic of the Baikaltaiga . The chipmunk is common. The rare black hat marmot lives on the southwestern border of the territory. Voles are of great importance in the food chain for the predators. Typical inhabitants of the taiga are Asiatic wood mice .
tourism
The remote location, 300 km from the administrative center of the nature reserve, favors its good state of preservation. Some parts of the protected area can neither be reached by paths nor roads, others only by boat in summer or over the frozen Lake Baikal in winter. This seclusion makes maintenance, nature conservation and environmental observation difficult , as the transport costs are high.
Ecotourism is seen as a potential source of income for the nature reserve in order to solve financial problems. The park administration has created three hiking routes to take adventure tourists with guides on expeditions to the Baikal Mountains. There are rafting offered on the Lena, a hike to Lena source and a hike along the Baikal coast.
literature
- Aleksandr M. Zajac: Государственный Природный Заповедник " Байкало-Ленский " . Ed .: Россия Департамент Охраны Окружающей Среды и Экологической Безопасности. tape 2 , 2001, p. 161 .
- Дмитрий Сергеевич Павлов: Заповедники Сибири . Ed .: Институт проблем экологии и эволюции им. А.Н. Северцова. tape 2 . Logata, 2000, ISBN 978-5-900858-23-4 , pp. 255 .
- Сергей Юрьевич Волков: По Байкалу .
Web links
- Baikal-Lena State Nature Reserve. Retrieved April 26, 2014 (Russian).
- Baikal-Lena reserve. Retrieved April 26, 2014 .
- Particularly protected natural areas in Russia. Retrieved April 26, 2014 (Russian).
Individual evidence
- ^ Marc Di Duca: Lake Baikal . Bradt, 2010, ISBN 978-1-84162-294-1 .
- ↑ Заповедник Байкало-Ленский, История заповедника. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on December 8, 2014 ; Retrieved June 15, 2014 (Russian).
- ↑ a b c Н.В. Степанцова: Заповедник Байкало-Ленский, Физико-Географическое описание. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on December 5, 2014 ; Retrieved June 15, 2014 (Russian).
- ↑ Н.В. Степанцова: Заповедник Байкало-Ленский, Флора и растительность. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on December 8, 2014 ; Retrieved June 15, 2014 (Russian).
- ↑ Н.В. Степанцова: Заповедник Байкало-Ленский, Животный мир. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on December 8, 2014 ; Retrieved June 15, 2014 (Russian).
- ↑ Baikalo-Lensky Zapovednik. Center for Russian Nature Conservation, accessed June 16, 2014 .