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Established: 1934, liquidated and
re-established twice (1951-59, 1961-67)
Size: 1,142,134 ha (11,421
km2)
Contact information:
Valery Viktorovich Komarov
684010 Kamchatskaya Oblast,
g. Elizovo, ulitsa Ryabikova 48
Email:
zapoved@elrus.kamchatka.su
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 The
Kamchatka Peninsula harbors one of the most
spectacular volcanically active environments on
Earth. Kronotsky Biosphere Zapovednik, abutting the
Pacific Ocean in the very northeast of Russia, is
so remote that its magnificent Valley of the
Geysers was only discovered in the middle of this
century. The towering volcanic range of 11 active
cones and as many inactive ones permeates the
coast, making the nature reserve one of the most
geologically dynamic regions in the world. The
landscape is warmed from below the Earth's crust
and exposed to the wrath of the great Pacific Ocean
from the East. The result is a mixture of volcanoes
and geysers, tundra and glaciers, transparent lakes
and rivers percolating with fish, and dwarfed trees
and unruly grasslands. The rugged coastline and
protected marine habitat host large colonies of
seabirds and marine mammals. Brown bear, caribou,
and other large animals roam the wilderness in the
remote interior. Kronotsky Zapovednik has been
proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
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Photo©
1994 Andrey
Nechaev
Zapovednik Images
Zapovednik Facts
Kronotsky Zapovednik
in
Russian
Conservation News
journal:
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Zapovednik
Facts:
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Animals
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The unique geographical features of the
Kamchatka landscape accommodate a diversity species
found in arctic, boreal, and coastal habitats.
Brown bear (Ursus arctos), arctic fox
(Alopex lagopus), caribou (Rangifer
tarandus), and Kamchatka sable (Martes
zebillina) are all highly sought-after species
that take refuge in the Zapovednik. The sable
especially thrives in the larch forests (Larix
kamtscatica) in the basin of Lake Kronotsky. In
all, the Zapovednik protects 60 species of
mammals.
Swamp, lake, and river ecosystems are home to a
variety of aquatic species and waterfowl. Salmon
species (Salmo mykiss, Oncorhynchus spp.)
swim up-river to spawn in the Zapovednik, dodging
the greedy paws of bears.
Coastal and marine ecosystems make up 10% of the
reserve territory. Otters and seals inhabit the
coastal regions of the Okhotsk Sea, hauling out on
protected shores to breed. One of Kamchatka’s
largest breeding grounds for the eared seal
(Eumetopius jubatus) is safeguarded in the
reserve. Nine rare species of whales inhabit the
seas, as well as the only population of sea otters
(Enhydra lutris) found in the Eastern
Pacific.
There are 260 species of birds in the
Zapovednik, including 13 rare birds listed in the
Russian Red Book. The largest protected population
of Steller’s Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus
pelagicus) nests in the reserve. Enormous
wintering flocks of swans (Cygnus cygnus)
are also found here. Aleutian Terns (Sterna
aleutica) wade in the shallow waters along the
shore and make nests on the rocky coast.
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Vegetation
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Much of the diversity of Kamchatka’s
natural ecosystems is preserved in the Zapovednik.
Tundra, forest, and meadow maritime biomes and
vegetation types are all represented here. Stands
of Erman’s birch (Betula ermani) are
widespread, as are forests of Japanese stone pine
(Pinus pumila). Wind-swept dwarf alder
stands (Alnus fruticosa), found in alpine
areas, cover more than a quarter of the territory
of the reserve.
Genuine tall forests of Kamchatka larch
(Larix kamtscatica), mixed with aspen
(Populus tremula) and Yeddo spruce (Picea
jezoensis) grow in the basin of Lake Kronotsky.
The sole habitat of the Sakhalin (or graceful) fir
(Abies sachalinensis) on Kamchatka is
protected in the Zapovednik.
Alpine and coastal tundra, as well as swamps and
bogs, cover a large portion of the territory. Along
the coast, cereal grasses (Gramineae spp.)
form wind-swept meadows. Water accumulates near the
source of rivers to form swamps of various
types.
There are 745 species of vascular plants
protected in the reserve -- a complete
representation of Eastern Kamchatka’s flora.
Sixteen of these are endemic to Kamchatka. One such
plant is found only of the territory of the
Zapovednik. Thirteen species are rare and listed in
the Red Book of Kamchatka and the Far East.
Because the Zapovednik is located at the transition
zone between tundra and boreal ecosystems, 40 plant
species grow at the northern or southern edge of
their ranges. Hydrothermal fields (near hot spring
outlets) create unique microsites where resilient
forms of rare and endemic vegetation survive.
Although average annual temperatures are
relatively high for this Northern latitude, the
climate is otherwise unfavorable for the growth and
development of woody vegetation, due to high levels
of precipitation, strong winds, frequent fogs, and
cloudiness. Large amounts of snow blanket the
landscape in winter. Spring is cold and dry, summer
short and cool, and autumn is mild, quickly
changing into winter.
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Geographical
Features
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Kronotsky State Biosphere Zapovednik, located in
Eastern Kamchatka, forms part of the Eastern
Volcanic Belt. The highly volatile volcanic system
affected the formation of both the relief and the
plant and animal worlds. Eleven active volcanoes
and as many dormant cones permeate the region. The
highest peak, the Kronotskaya Volcano, towers 3528
m above the neighboring sea.
Alpine glacial landscapes are more common here
than anywhere else in the Russian Far East:
glaciers occupy a significant part of the protected
territory (14,000 hectares). Eleven percent (46) of
Kamchatka’s 414 glaciers are located in the
reserve, including two of the peninsula’s
largest, the Koryto and Tushevski glaciers.
The contemporary area of the Zapovednik is
1,142,134 hectares. Forests make up 640,960 ha;
unforested lands (swamps, glaciers, rivers and
lakes) cover 487,239 ha; glades and other partially
forested areas consist of 13,935 ha; and wetlands
cover 166,720 ha, including 31,720 ha of rivers and
lakes. The marine area protects 135,000 hectares
along a three-mile coastal zone. In 1992 the valley
of the Kamchatka River, with an area of 43,000 ha,
was included in the Zapovednik territory.
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Conservation
Status
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Despite isolated human influences at a local
scale, the natural systems of the Zapovednik,
especially vegetation, are virtually
undisturbed.
There are several natural sites of scientific,
recreational, and aesthetic value on the territory
of the Zapovednik. Among these are the world-famous
Valley of Geysers, Death Valley, Caulders of the
Uzon Volcano, Kamchatka Fir Grove, the Kronotsky
Lake ecosystem, and Kamchatka Volcanoes.
Kronotsky Zapovednik was included on the list of
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1996, thanks to the
large number of unique natural sites in the
Zapovednik formed by volcanic activity.
Although remote areas of the Zapovednik are
relatively pristine, geological and prospecting
work carried out in its central part from 1940-1970
inflicted significant damage on the protected
natural ecosystems. During that period, the
population of caribou (Rangifer tarandus)
was substantially reduced - and has not been
restored to this day. European brown bear (Ursus
arctos) experienced a severe decline due to
hunting. The largest population of Siberian
Capercaille (Tetrao parvirostris), in the
basin of the Kronotskaya and Bogachevka Rivers, has
been almost completely knocked out of existence.
Even 30 years after mining was stopped in the
reserve, the scars on the fragile landscape are
still visible: a system of roads not yet overgrown,
temporary landing fields, construction material,
abandoned equipment, and remains of drilling
areas.
A lengthy encampment by military subdivisions on
the protected territory led to degradation of broad
tracts of land from the coastal zones to the
mountain tundra. No restoration activities have
been carried out on these tracts since the military
units departed. Soil erosion continues along old
roads. Isolated parcels of land are littered with
refuse and covered with spilled oil products.
The most serious threats to the integrity of the
natural system at present include:
• domestic reindeer-herding on the
population of wild caribou;
• timber harvesting in the coniferous
forests of the Kamchatka River valley; and
• industrial fishing in Kronotsky Gulf
coastal waters for populations of rare species of
marine mammals (eared seal, sea otter, whales, and
others).
Regular ranger patrols and creation of a buffer
zone are some of the measures that would help
improve protection of the Zapovednik’s
ecosystems. Scientific monitoring and educational
activities are also important for the long-term
preservation of Kamchatka’s natural
heritage.
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References
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Text by V. I. Mosolov, Deputy Director of
Scientific Research at Kronotsky Zapovednik.
Text translated by Laura
Williams.
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