Kabardino-Balkar high mountain nature reserve
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Kabardino-Balkar high mountain nature reserve
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 East Caucasian Ibex in the nature reserve |
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| location | Caucasus , Russia | |
| surface | 812 km² | |
| WDPA ID | 1708 | |
| Geographical location | 43 ° 2 ' N , 43 ° 8' E | |
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| Setup date | 1976 | |
The Kabardino-Balkarian High Mountain Nature Reserve ( Russian Кабардино-Балкарский высокогорный заповедник ) is a high mountain protected area in the central Russian Caucasus . The highest point in the protected area is the Dychtau at 5204 m.
Forests only occur in the lowest areas. These consist mainly of pines ( Pinus sosnowskyi ) and birches ( Betula raddeneana , B. litwinowii , B. pendula ). Above that, up to about 2600 m, subalpine vegetation dominates . Alpine vegetation extends to heights of 3700 m. From there the nival level begins . The reserve provides habitat for several large animal species, such as the East Caucasian ibex ( Capra cylindricornis ), Caucasian chamois ( Rupicapra rupicapra caucasica ), wild boar ( Sus scrofa ), brown bears ( Ursus arctos ) and lynxes ( Lynx lynx ). Wolves ( Canis lupus ) are relatively rare, the Persian leopard ( Panthera pardus saxicolor ) has not been detected in the area since 1982. Numerous rare bird species such as the black grouse ( Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi ) and bearded vultures ( Gypaetus barbatus ) find refuge in the reserve. There are also the eastern imperial eagle ( Aquila heliaca ), golden eagle ( A. chrysaetos ), peregrine falcon ( Falco peregrinus ) and Caucasian king grouse ( Tetraogallus caucasicus ).