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Zapovednik
Facts:
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Animals
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Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus)
and wild boar (Sus scrofa) are the most
abundant members of the 44 species of mammals in
Khingansky Zapovednik. These ungulates feed on
grasses and roots in the marshy Arkharinskaya
lowlands of the Amur River basin. Scattered
populations of Asiatic black bear (Solenarctos
thibetanus) and wolf (Canis lupus) roam
higher ground in the forested spurs of the Maly
Khingan Mountain Range. But, Siberian weasel
(Mustela sibirica) is the most common
predator in these forests. Its brightly-colored
cousin, the rare Indian marten (Martes
flavigula), is also found here. A dozen or so
brown bears (Ursus arctos) feed on pine nuts
and acorns in the mountains; one or two female
bears raise their cubs in the reserve each year.
The great Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris)
disappeared from this region more than a century
ago, and is now found only further south in the
Primorye Province.
Raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procynonoides)
- endemic to the Eastern Asian temperate zone -
feel right at home in the wetlands, floodplains,
and open marshes of Khingansky. This ancient
ancestor of the canine family was driven out of
many areas in the Russian Far East by farming and
wetland drainage, which destroyed its habitat and
food base of rodents and small birds. Khingansky
Zapovednik is one of the only places left in the
raccoon dog's native range where its optimal
habitat is fully protected.
More than 300 species of birds, including 19
endangered species have been identified in
Khingansky Zapovednik. The wetlands in the
Arkharinskaya lowlands are prime breeding grounds
for the endangered red-crowned crane (Grus
japonensis), white-naped crane (Grus
vipio), and oriental white stork (Ciconia
boyciana). The oriental white stork, larger
than its European brother and with a black instead
of red beak, prefers to nest in tall trees on small
hummocks overlooking open wetlands and marsh areas.
These marshes are some of the last remaining
isolated areas where red-crowned cranes nest each
year, before flying south to wintering areas in
South Korea and Japan. Once distributed widely in a
continuous corridor along the Middle and Lower Amur
River basin, red-crowned crane populations are
decreasing worldwide despite international
conservation measures. The current population of
this species is estimated at 1,000 on the mainland and 600 on the Japanese island of Hokkaido.
In order to preserve the red-crowned crane and
other rare bird species, Khingansky Zapovednik
launched a progressive breeding program to create
semi-wild populations of cranes in their natural
habitat. Since 1988, the zapovednik's breeding and
reintroduction station has raised 55 individuals
representing 25 species of birds. Some of the birds
were badly injured; of these 19 were rehabilitated
and released back into the wild, including oriental
white stork, golden eagle (Aquila
chrysaetos), greater spotted eagle (Aquila
clanga), cormorant (Phalacrocorax
filamentosus), owls (Tytonidae), and
waterfowl.
The main focus, however, of breeding efforts is
to restore rare crane populations. In 1997, the
breeding and reintroduction station released 13
cranes (red-crowned and white-naped) into the wild.
While observing these birds, scientists at the
zapovednik made an interesting discovery - cranes
reared in captivity, and wild cranes that pair or
live in close proximity with these, have become
accustomed to humans; thus they are less likely to
abandon their clutches when humans are near. This
has led to a gradual increase in local crane
populations. The zapovednik's efforts to reduce
disturbance and protect the crane's natural habitat
from spring fires and pollution help ensure that
the semi-wild populations of these remarkable birds
will survive and flourish.
Another fascinating bird that lives in the open
areas of the Middle Amur basin is the yellow-legged
buttonquail (Turnix tanki). This rare bird,
which looks like a small common quail, prefers to
hide in thickets or run away from danger rather
than fly. Difficult to see, the wary bird is easier
found by its cry, which resembles a piercing howl.
More common birds, such as the colorful mandarin
duck (Aix galericulata), take advantage of
the abundance of lakes in the zapovednik to raise
their young. Other waterfowl that breed in these
lakes include mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
and the rare in Russia swan goose (Anser
cygnoides). Falcated teals (Anas
falcata) commonly inhabit the zapovednik's
protected rivers.
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Vegetation
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Khingansky Zapovednik protects a patchwork of
meadow, swamp, wetland, and forest vegetation types
on two separate territories. In the northern
section of the zapovednik, broadleaf and mixed
broadleaf-coniferous forests dominate the spurs of
the Maly Khingan Range, mainly consisting of
representatives of Manchurian flora. Tangled
undergrowth of Chinese magnolia vine (Schizandra
chinensis), actinidia (Actinidia
colomicta), and Amur grapevine (Vitis
amurensis) forms a nearly impenetrable web on
the forest floor.
As the dense forest thins in the southern
portion of the zapovednik, it is replaced by the
Arkharinskaya lowlands, a mixture of vast meadows,
bogs, and floodplain forests and lakes. Some of the
lowlands are inundated with water in early spring
and summer. As the water recedes, a carpet of
flowers - lilies, irises, asters, geraniums, and
peonies - takes over the meadows. Tall reeds and
grasses overrun marshes and meadows in summertime.
Manchurian plant species prevail in Khingansky's
vegetation cover, including eleutherococcus and
Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus spp.),
Amur oak (Phellodendron amurense), actinidia
(Actinidia colomicta), Amur barberry
(Berberis amurensis), Korean pine (Pinus
koraiensis), and Mongolian oak (Quercus
mongolica). Mongolian oak is one of the most
cold-tolerant oaks in the world, and its
well-developed lateral roots help it withstand
extremely windy conditions. Mongolian oaks live to
be 300-350 years old, and wear numerous scars from
ground fires.
Yeddo spruce (Picea jezoensis) and
Khingan fir (Abies nephrolepis) are typical
representatives of flora from the Okhotsk Sea and
Kamchatka biomes. Other Eastern species include
Eastern Siberian Daurian larch (Larix
gmelini) and Daurian rhododendron
(Rhododendron dauricum).
Altogether, 1,000 vascular plant species have
been identified in Khingansky Zapovednik. Rare and
endangered plants listed in the Russian Red Data
Book include: lady's slipper (Cypripedium
macranthon), yellow lady's slipper
(Cypripedium calceolus), Japanese pagonia
(Pagonia japonica), water chestnut (Trapa
natans), and the Komarov lotus (Nelumbo
komarovii). The Komarov lotus rings ponds with
its lily pad leaves and large pink flowers, making
a gorgeous summer spectacle.
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Geographical
Features
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Khingansky is situated in the extreme southeast
of Amur Province where the spurs of the Maly Khingan
Mountains gradually recede into the flat
Arkharinskaya lowlands of the Amur River basin. The
Amur River is the second largest in Russia,
stretching 4,345 km (2,700 miles), and forms much
of the eastern border between China and Russia. The
zapovednik consists of two separate territories;
two-thirds of the reserve protects lowland plains
with wetlands, bogs, steppe, and numerous small
lakes. Originally created with an area of 58,300 ha
(583 km2) in 1963, the zapovednik's territory was
significantly augmented from 1978 to 1982 to its
current size of 93,000 ha (930 km2) to include the
area between the Uril and Gryaznaya rivers and
parts of the Maly Khingan Mountain Range.
Today, forested spurs of the Maly Khingan
Mountain Range are protected in the northern
section of the zapovednik. The average height of
the range in the zapovednik is 150-200 meters.
Gryaznaya, the largest river in the zapovednik,
begins in the Maly Khingan foothills. Here rivers
are narrow with fast-moving water, sometimes
forming canyons in their wake. As rivers leave the
mountains, they spread out onto the open plain
where their currents slow and their courses begin
to meander. Two other large rivers, Uril and
Mutnaya, are tributaries of the Amur River
Winters in Khingansky Zapovednik are cold,
sunny, and windy. Snow is generally blown off the
lowlands by strong winds from the northwest,
causing the ground to freeze to a depth of two
meters. A short spring is followed by a warm and
rainy summer. More than 80% of the 550 to 700 mm of
precipitation per year pours down in summer rains.
Autumn is the most pleasant time of year, with warm
sunny days on the beautiful background of fall
foliage.
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Conservation
Status
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Historically, virtually all the landscapes now
protected in Khingansky Zapovednik have been
impacted by humans in one way or another - fires,
logging, grazing, haymaking, fishing and hunting
have all taken their toll on natural ecosystems.
Nevertheless, the zapovednik has given nature a
chance to heal her wounds. Today, wetlands
protected in Khingansky are some of the most
important in the world for saving the rare
red-crowned crane. All significant wetlands in the
Arkharinskaya lowlands are protected either in
Khingansky Zapovednik or in Ganukan Zakaznik, a
special purpose preserve founded in 1985 between
the two sections of the zapovednik. Together these
protected areas cover 157,900 ha (1,579 km2).
Moreover, the entire territory of the Arkharinskaya
lowlands has been granted the status of Wetland
of International Significance and Key Crane
Territory as defined by the Ramsar Convention.
Habitat conservation is a key element for the
survival of endangered crane and stork populations
in Khingansky Zapovednik. One of the major threats
to marsh habitats is careless grass burning on
fields adjacent to the zapovednik. Traditionally,
local residents burn fields each spring to
accelerate new grass growth. These fires frequently
blaze out-of-control, destroying crane nests and
generally wreaking havoc on their breeding
habitats. In an attempt to dampen the effects of
runaway fires, scientists at Khingansky are
currently developing techniques for fire
regulation.
In order to build support among local people for
crane conservation, the zapovednik carries out an
active environmental education program. A favorite
event of kids in the region is "Crane Day," which
marks the festival begun in 1987 to observe the
magical crane dances. Now each year, children and
adults come to Khingansky on this day to
participate in concerts, activities, and exhibits
revolving around the crane conservation theme. In
turn, the zapovednik demonstrates its appreciation
for local support and recognizes those who have
made outstanding conservation achievements.
Long-term crane and stork conservation requires
mutual efforts of all countries where these birds
breed, winter, or migrate. In recent years,
Khingansky Zapovednik has actively collaborated
with a number of conservation organizations
concerned with the birds' fate - the International
Crane Foundation, the American Association of Zoos,
the University of Tokyo, and the University of
Seoul. With the support of these organizations, the
zapovednik embarked on a study to trace crane and
stork movements by satellite in order to obtain new
and accurate information on these species. In 1992,
zapovednik researchers tagged a white-naped crane
with satellite transmitters and tracked its flight
to wintering grounds in Japan. Thanks to assistance
rendered by the Wild Birds Society and Yamasina
Research Institute (both in Japan) in 1993, 10 more
red-crowned and white-napped cranes were tagged,
and their migration routes monitored throughout
Japan and China. More recently, in 1998 and 1999
researchers thoroughly traced the migration of two
oriental white storks to their wintering grounds
along the Yangtze River in southeastern China.
Khingansky Zapovednik invites visitors to share
in its efforts to conserve an undisturbed and
priceless natural area, invaluable for saving the
cranes. Easily accessible by rail and for very
reasonable rates, visitors can see rare semi-wild
cranes up close in their natural habitat. Tourists
can take excursions through East Asian steppe,
Manchurian forest, and Siberian taiga ecosystems.
Lodging is available in homes and in guest houses
at the reserve. Contact the zapovednik headquarters
to arrange your stay in advance.
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References
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Zapovedniks of the USSR: Zapovedniks of the
Far East. Mysl publishing agency. Moscow, 1985.
Darman, Y.A. and V.A. Andronov. The oriental
white stork and other birds of Amur Oblast
(brochure in Russian). MP "RIO." Blagoveshensk,
Russia, 1998.
Greshnevikov, Anatoliy. Cranes out of
Extinction. EkosInfom. Moscow, Russia, 1997.
Smirenski, S.M., S.V. Vinter, and V.A. Andronov.
Birds of the Khingansky State Nature Reserve
(leaflet in English). Amur Basin Project.
Socio-Ecological Union, 1992.
Text by Vladimir Andronov, former Director of
Khingansky Zapovednik. Additional information,
translation, and editing provided by Stephanie
Hitztaler and Laura
Williams.
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Center for
Russian Nature Conservation
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Through
the veil of a dawn mist, fluid shadows take shape
in a grassy marsh. The mist recedes, revealing
red-crowned cranes, the most graceful birds in the
Russian Far East, engaged in an ancient mating
ritual. In an exquisite dance, the cranes leap
upward and then delicately touch the ground again,
tossing wisps of grass and twigs into the air. In
the background, the dark, forest-covered spurs of
the Maly Khingan Mountain Range are barely visible
beyond the cavorting birds. Each year, cranes come
to Khingansky Zapovednik in the Amur Region to
breed and raise their young, who will carry on the
fight for the species' survival. Known as the
"crane" nature reserve, Khingansky Zapovednik's
mission is to conserve extremely endangered cranes
and storks in their natural wetland habitat, along
the Amur River Basin. Appropriately, the
red-crowned crane, one of the rarest crane species
on Earth, is the symbol of Khingansky Zapovednik.
For its role in protecting valuable crane habitat,
the reserve has been declared a Wetland of
International Significance by the Ramsar
Convention.
