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Kabardino-Balkarsky
Zapovednik
Facts:
Animals •
Vegetation • Geographical
Features • Conservation Status •
References
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Animals
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Kabardino-Balkarsky Zapovednik is situated at such high altitude
that relatively few animals are able to survive in its severe
conditions. Caucasian turs (Capra caucasica, C. cylindricornis)
are a notable exception, perfectly adapted to the zapovednik’s
steep rocky slopes, alpine meadows, glaciers, and heavy snows.
The ranges of the two endemic subspecies -- the West Caucasian
and East Caucasian turs -- overlap in the Chegem and Bezengia
Valleys, although truly every mountain valley in Kabardino-Balkaria
has a population of tur that differs in color, size, or form
from the tur in other valleys. The zapovednik provides rare sanctuary
to tur, which have been so well protected that they have little
fear of people. It is not unusual to find males weighing more
than 150 kilograms bounding effortlessly across the cliffs, or
herds of more than 100 individuals. In all, more than 5,000 tur
live in the reserve.
Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra caucasica), a mountain goat
native to the Caucasus, can also be found in the zapovednik,
though its numbers are few. Two subspecies of brown bears (Ursus
arctos meridionali, U.a. caucasicus) wander throughout the
reserve, finding varied meals everywhere they go, while lynxes
(Lynx lynx) and occasional wolves (Canis lupus)
feed on young tur and wild boars (Sus scrofa). Foxes (Vulpes
vulpes), wildcats (Felis silvestris), badger (Meles
meles), beech and pine martens (Martes foina, M.
martes), ermine (Mustela erminea), and weasels (M.
nivalis) also live in the zapovednik. Some voles (Microtus
daghestanicus) live in subalpine meadows, while others such
as the snow vole (M. nivalis) prefer rocky areas. Wood
mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) and red squirrels (Sciurus
vulgaris) are ubiquitous in the forests. European hares (Lepus
europaeus) and shrews (Sorex caucasica, S. volnuchini)
also make their homes in the zapovednik.
Kabardino-Balkarsky Zapovednik plays an important role in providing
habitats to a number of rare birds. The Caucasian black grouse
(Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi) can be found in subalpine areas
and is a favored prey of the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos).
Other rare birds, such as the bearded vulture (Gypaetus
barbatus), imperial eagle (A. heliaca) and
peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) also nest in the zapovednik.
Caucasian snowcocks (Tetraogallus caucasicus) spend most
of the year at higher elevations, forming flocks of 20 to 30
birds. Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus, P. pyrrhocorax)
also form large flocks along cliffs, and great rosefinches (Carpodacus
rubicilla) and alpine accentors (Prunella collaris)
can be found in the broad, open spaces of alpine areas. Thrushes
(Turdus sp.) live throughout the zapovednik’s forests,
while red crossbills (Loxia curvirostra), bullfinches
(Pyrrhula pyrrhula), and boreal owls (Aegolius
funereus) prefer pine forests. Rock finches (Petronia
petronia) can be found everywhere in the zapovednik.
Five species of reptiles three snakes and two lizards live
in the zapovednik: grass snakes (Natrix natrix), Renard’s
and Caucasus vipers (Vipera ursine, V. kaznakowi), Caucasian
rock lizards (Lacerta saxicola), and slow worms (Anguis
fragilis). Though often mistaken for a snake, the slow worm
is actually a legless lizard, distinguishable from snakes by
its blinking eyelids. The reserve also houses the brown frog
(Rana macrocnemis), European green toad (Bufo viridis),
and the rare and endemic Caucasian parsley frog (Pelodytes
caucasicus). A local subspecies of brown trout (Salmo
trutta morpha fario) inhabits the high mountain rivers.
Leopards
(Panthera pardus) once roamed through these mountains,
but there have been no recorded sightings since 1982. |
Vegetation
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Although scientists have yet to complete a full inventory of
plant species in the zapovednik, preliminary counts have shown
a high level of plant biodiversity. More than 1,000 species of
vascular plants have been identified, including 87 species that
are endemic to the Caucasus (of these 55 are endemic to the Central
Caucasus, and six of these are endemic to the Kabardino-Balkaria
Republic).
The sharp changes in altitude that characterize the zapovednik
in turn create five distinct belts of flora. Forests are found
in the lowest reaches of the reserve; sub-alpine flora can be
found up to 2,600 meters above sea level; alpine flora stretches
between 2,400 and 3,700 m; subnival between 3,300 and 3,700 meters;
and nival above 3,700 meters. Together these last three categories
cover more than 80 percent of the zapovednik’s total area.
Pines (Pinus sosnowskyi) and birches (Betula raddeneana,
B. litwinowii, B. pendula) dominate the zapovednk’s forests.
The birches grow smaller and more gnarled at higher elevations,
until eventually, at around 2,400 meters above sea level, they
give way to dense groves of Caucasian rhododendron (Rhododendron
caucasicum). These shrubs, which display vigorous clusters
of pale-pink blossoms each spring, account for more than one-fourth
of the zapovednik’s forests. Other shrubs that fill the forests
include guelder-rose (Viburnum opulus), European black
elder (Sambucus nigra), hazel (Corylus avellana),
dog rose (Rosa canina), and local species of mountain
ash (Sorbus caucasica). The grove of sea-buckthorn (Hippophae
rhamnoides) in the East Balkarskaya Valley at the mouth
of the Gyulch-suu River is considered a natural treasure of
Kabardino-Balkaria.
In the subalpine belt, fescue grasses (Festuca varia, F.
ovina, F. sulceta) dominate dry, tall-grass meadows, often
called ìmountain steppes.î Higher up, in the alpine belt, plant
communities fall into two categories: alpine meadows and alpine
heathlands. The meadows are filled with sedges (Carex oreophila,
C. hirta, C. tristis, C. humilis, C. capitata, C. tenuiflora)
and sweet vernal-grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum). The
striking blossoms of primrose (Primula ruprechtii, P. algida),
alpine cat’s-tail (Phleum alpinum), forget-me-nots (Myosotis
alpestris), and smartweed (Polygonum carneum) add
color to these meadows. In colder meadows, lingonberries and
bilberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea, V. myrtillus),
as well as local species of avens (Dryas caucasica)
and lady’s mantle (Alchemilla caucasica) grow upon a
thick covering of moss and lichens.
Alpine heathlands, another plant community found in the alpine
belt, consist of grasses or lichens and mosses. Kobresia (Kobresia
schoenoides, K. persica, K. capillifolia) and sheep’s fescue
(Festuca ovina) are common, as are local species of violets
(Viola montana) and pussy’s toes (Anthenaria caucasica).
Few plants survive in the subnival belt, but those that cling
to the bare rocks and cliffs include species of speedwell (Veronica
gentianoides), saxifrages (Saxifraga carinata, S. dinniki,
S. columnaris), cinquefoil (Potentilla cranzii), bellflowers
(Campanula tridens, C. glomerata, C. colina, C. besenginica),
and whitlow-grasses (Draba elisabethae, D. longisiligua).
The purple blossoms of Hedysarum caucasicum open
in the summer and Sempervivum pumilum forms small mounds
of yellowish-green rosettes. At higher elevations, only isolated
pockets of lichens can survive among the eternal snows of the
nival belt.
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Geographical Features
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The Great Caucasus Range slices between
the Black and Caspian Seas, dividing the Northern Caucasus from
Georgia and Azerbaijan.
Kabardino-Balkarsky Zapovednik is divided into five sections
along major river valleys and lies at the southernmost point
of the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic, straddling the Sovetsky
and Chereksky districts. The only zapovednik in Russia whose
title
includes the adjective ìhigh-mountain,î Kabardino-Balkarsky
Zapovednik includes five peaks that tower more than 5,000 meters
above sea
level. The highest point in the zapovednik is Mount Dykh-Tau
(5,204 meters above sea level), followed by Koshtan-Tau (5,152
m), Shkhara (5,068 m), Dzhangi-Tau (5,058), and Mount Pushkin
(5,033). The lowest point in the zapovednik lies at 1,800 meters
above sea level.
With a tongue that stretches 13 kilometers, Bezengi Glacier
is the largest gem in a network of glaciers that crown the Caucasus
Mountains. The runoff from these glaciers forms the many streams
and rivers that run through the zapovednik. Over time, they have
cut deep valleys with steep cliffs and slopes rising on either
side. Numerous waterfalls tumble over the rocky terrain, eventually
joining the zapovednik’s major rivers: the Chegem, Cherek-Bezengiskaya,
Cherek-Balkarskaya, Sukan-Su and Khaznidon. Several mineral water
springs also bubble up from the ground in various parts of the
reserve.
The
climate in the zapovednik is directly dependent upon relief,
and conditions differ according to level of elevation. Snow covers
the high peaks of the zapovednik year round, but its lower reaches
are free of snow from April through November. In winter temperatures
plunge to -50 degrees Celsius (-30 in valleys); July is the warmest
month, with an average temperature of 12.6 degrees Celsius. |
Conservation Status
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An expedition that set out to explore the headwaters of the
Cherek-Balkarskaya River in 1949 recommended that a zapovednik
be founded in the area, but it was only in 1976 that 53,300 ha
were set aside in Kabardino-Balkarsky Zapovednik. Gradually the
territory was expanded to its present size.
But long before the zapovednik ever existed, Bezengia and other
areas of the zapovednik were popular destinations for mountain
climbers from around the world who wanted to test their skills
on the 5,000-meter peaks. The 1960s in particular saw a large
influx of tourists and the founding of permanent camps, such
as the Bezengia mountaineering camp. When the zapovednik was
founded, one challenge was deciding what to do about the hundreds
of tourists who came to visit each year. The zapovednik’s managers
decided to encourage tourism but regulate it with a system of
paid entrance to the reserve. For a nominal fee (about US$1),
hikers are granted a pass to enter the zapovednik and climb up
the mountains. Generally speaking, the hikers are serious about
climbing and are rarely caught poaching.
Fulfilling its scientific mission has been problematic for the
zapovednik and remains a primary challenge for the future. The
combination of low salaries and extreme field conditions (due
to the zapovednik’s high elevation) make it difficult to keep
enough scientists employed. At present, the zapovednik’s rangers
often play dual roles, guarding the territory as well as helping
with scientific research. Although work continues on the annual ìChronicles
of Nature,î a complete inventory of the plants and animals of
the zapovednik has yet to be completed satisfactorily.
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References
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Aiunts, K.P., and A. M. Amirkhanov, 1990. ìKabardino-Balkarsky
Zapovednik.î Published on
the website of the Biodiversity Conservation Center (http://www.biodiversity.ru).
Akkiyev, B.I. ìKarbardino-Balkarsky High-Mountain State Zapovednik,î Zapovedniks
and
National Parks of the Northern Caucasus. Kavkazsky Krai
Publishing Agency, Stavropol, 2000.
Interviews with zapovednik staff also provided information for
this article. Special thanks to Muzhigit Akkiyev, Deputy Director
of Science at Kabardino-Balkarsky Zapovednik, for reviewing this
text.
Written by Lisa Woodson.
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