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Established: 1989
Area: 21,642.5 ha (216 km2)
Buffer zone: 10,000 ha (100
km2)
Contact information:
Pulyaev, Anatoly Ivanovich, Director
Russia 460023, Orenburg Ul. Magistralnaya 9
Tel/Fax: (7-3532) 56-76-79
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 "A
calm, clean wind, and such a wind! How wild and fresh the air is!
How alive everything is: the steppe blushes, burning, and shining
blue with flowers. Quails, bustards, gulls, grasshoppers, thousands
of insects, all of them whistling, buzzing, crackling, shrieking,
and suddenly forming a harmonious choir. And none of it stops even
for a moment." With these words the famed writer Nikolai Gogol described
the steppes as they appeared at the end of the 19th century. Today
the Orenburgsky Zapovednik, comprised of four regions spread along
the border between Kazakhstan and Russia's Orenburg Region, is the
only nature reserve that protects Russia's last remaining wild steppe
ecosystems. These expansive grasslands burst into bloom each spring,
supporting a multitude of insects, birds, and mammals. The protected
area also preserves sites of great historical and archaeological
significance: as early as the seventh century B.C., nomadic Sarmat
tribes inhabited these steppes, leaving stone monuments in the sea
of grasses.
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Photo ©
2001 Hendrik Zeitler
Zapovednik Images
Zapovednik Facts
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Facts:
Orenburgsky Zapovednik
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Animals
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Because of its location on the border of several
geographical zones, the reserve is home not only to
traditional steppe species, but also to those that
live in broadleaf forests and semi-desert
ecosystems. A total of 48 species of mammals, 193
birds, 7 reptiles, 5 amphibians, 6 fish, and around
1,000 insects may be found in the zapovednik.
Rodents are plentiful in the reserve. The
European hare (Lepus europaeus) bounds
across grassy hillsides. Two species of ground
squirrels (Citellus pygmaeus, C. major) take
advantage of the expansive plains to build burrows
and search for food. Numerous small mounds of earth
scattered along the hilly grasslands signify
burrows of the steppe marmot, or bobak (Marmota
bobak), an animal often seen socializing with
other family members in the sun. Once listed as an
endangered species in the Soviet Union's Red Data
Book, the steppe marmot was gradually declining
toward extinction as a result of intensive hunting
and habitat loss. Thanks to the protection offered
by the zapovednik, however, its numbers have more
than quadrupled over the past decade.
Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), and wild
boar (Sus scrofa) take shelter in the small
tracts of forests that dot the grassland. Moose
(Alces alces) also forage in these forests.
Beavers (Castor fiber) build dams along
rivers, and muskrats (Ondatra zibethica)
bathe in the reserve's lakes. Badgers (Meles
meles) make dens in small rocky caves in the
mountains. Weasels (Mustela nivalis),
American mink (Mustela vison), and ermine
(Mustela erminea) prey on the large variety
of rodents in the reserve. The locally endangered
steppe pika (Ochatona pusilla), an endemic
of the Paleoarctic, darts between rocks and shrubs
along the hills in search of plants to store as
food for the long winter.
Larger predators, such as lynx (Felis
lynx), wolves (Canis lupes), and red
foxes (Vulpes vulpes) all occasionally
wander into the reserve, but the zapovednik is not
large enough to sustain significant populations of
these animals. Saiga (Saiga tatarica), a
vanishing antelope once common in the steppes, used
to migrate through the reserve annually, but no
saiga have been seen in the Orenburg region since
1994.
The Orenburgsky Zapovednik plays a significant
role in providing sanctuary for birds as they
migrate between Europe, Central Asia, and Siberia.
Nearly 200 species of birds have been sighted in
the zapovednik, more than 100 of which nest in the
reserve. The great bustard (Otis tarda),
once considered extinct in the region, now nests in
the Talovskaya Steppe. The endangered little
bustard (Tetrax tetrax) has become a common
species in the reserve. Populations of vulnerable
species like the upland buzzard (Buteo
hemilasius), and imperial eagle (Aquila
heliaca Savigny) are increasing. The lovely
demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo) finds
refuge in the zapovednik during its annual
migration. The mute swan (Cygnus olor) and
several ducks (Anas spp.) swim in the
reserve's multiple streams and ponds. The mighty
steppe eagle (Aquila nipalensis), soars high
above the ground in search of food and dives
hundreds of feet to catch small rodents. Meanwhile,
the distinctive whistle of the common quail
(Coturnix coturnix) is frequently heard as
evening falls over the steppes: "Time for bed! Time
for bed!"
Because of the Orenburgsky Zapovednik's location
along a prime migration route between Northern
Russia and Europe and Central Asia, a number of
non-steppe species fly through the reserve. Several
species of geese (Rufibrenta ruficollis, Anser
albifrons, A. fabalis, A. erythropus) pass
through the zapovednik each spring on their way to
nesting sites in the Russian Arctic. The endangered
pied avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) and
golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria) also
stop to rest in the reserve on their way north.
Despite the harsh climate of the zapovednik, 20
species of birds winter in the reserve, including
European sparrow-hawk (Accipiter nisus),
black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix), gray
partridge (Perdix perdix), lesser spotted
woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor), great
titmouse (Paridae major) and long-tailed tit
(Aegithalos caudatus), Euroasian nuthatch
(Sitta europaea), and yellow bunting
(Emberiza citrinella).
Although not common in the reserve, Renard's
viper (Vipera ursini) can be found sunning
itself in the warm grasses. Two species of lizard,
(Lacerta agilis, L. vivipara) can frequently
be seen darting through the grass. Freshwater
turtles (Emys orbicularis) wander along
streams in the reserve. Several species of frogs
and toads also live in the zapovednik.
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Vegetation
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As the steppe begins to bloom each spring, the
yellow-gray grassland bursts into color as wave
after wave of varied wildflowers blossom, painting
hillsides and plains in vivid hues. Because the
territory of the zapovednik has held official state
protection for just over a decade - a short period
of time in the course of steppe development - the
reserve's vegetation is only beginning a return
toward its natural state. With each year, the
diversity of and distribution of plants grows. At
the current time, over 800 vascular plant species
have been found growing within the zapovednik,
including 21 species listed in the Red Data Books
of the Russian Federation and Orenburg Region.
Just after the snow melts early in the spring,
purple pasqueflower (Pulsatilla patens)
sprouts, dotting the hillsides and plains with
clumps of bright azure blossoms. Soon after, four
species of tulip (Tupila schrenkii,T.
biebersteiniana, T. biflora, T. patens), coat
the fields in a rich spattering of reds, yellows,
magentas, purples, and blues. Mugwort (Artemesia
vulgaris) then springs into bloom with yellow
and purple flowers. By the end of April to
beginning of May, the hillsides turn yellow with
the flowering of the Siberian pea-tree (Caragana
arborescens), followed a few weeks later by the
light pink blossoms of Russian almond (Amygdalus
nana) and frutescent cherry (Cerasus
fruticosa). As these blossoms fade, irises
(Iris humilis) lay a cloak of indigo and
purple on the high plateaus. Gladiolus
(Gladiolus imbricatus) and military orchid
(Orchis militaris) add spots of bright
magentas, reds, and purples to the green
background. Depending on temperature and the amount
of precipitation, these colorful blossoms can last
well into July, but eventually wither in the summer
heat, leaving a sea of yellow-green grasses as far
as the eye can see.
Meanwhile, the shadier, damper regions near
forests and streams undergo transformations of
their own throughout the spring and summer. Clumps
of maroon-colored fritillaria (Fritillaria
ruthenica, F. meleagroides) ripple in the cool
spring wind. Common reeds (Phragmites
australis) grow up along streams, providing
shelter for many species of birds, along with wood
club-rush (Scirpus sylvaticus), bur-reeds,
(Sparganium sp.) and arrowheads
(Sagittaria natans, S. Sagittifolia). Small
fields of anemone (Anemone sylvestris)
sprout with delicate white flowers, and small,
pale-blue forget-me-nots (Myosotis
suaveolens) grow throughout the moist regions
of the reserve.
A variety of rare and endangered species that
are endemic to the Urals grow widely in the
zapovednik. Endemic species of pinks (Dianthus
uralensis), milk-vetches (Astragalus helmii,
A. karelinianus), hedysarum (Hedysarum
biebersteinii), and oxytropis (Oxytropis
spicata) grow on the foothills of the Ural
mountains. Other milk-vetches (Astragalus
sulcatus) and viper's-grasses (Scorzonera
pratorum) are endemic to the dry steppes and
saline soils of the semi-desert of southern Siberia
and northern Kazakhstan.
Although no large forests cover the zapovednik,
a number of small forest tracts dot the landscape.
Comprised primarily of birches (Beluta
pendula), aspens (Populus tremula) and
alders (Alnus glutinosa), these forests
support a variety of smaller trees, shrubs and
bushes. Bird cherry (Padus avium), Guelder
rose (Viburnum opulus), and black currants
(Ribes nigrum) provide food for a number of
birds. Marsh fern (Thelypteris palustris),
brooklime (Veronica beccabunga), saw-wart
(Saussurea amara), and elecampane (Inula
helenium) grow in the forest understory,
particularly near streams.
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Geographical
Features
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The four sections of the zapovednik cover a
broad geographical area that stretches along the
entire Orenburg Region, showing varied faces of
steppe geography. These islands of steppe are
remnants of once vast grasslands that extended from
the deserts of present-day Kazakhstan to the
foothills of the Ural Mountains. Located in a
transition zone from the black earth region to the
brown soil region, the zapovednik includes both
mountains and flat semi-desert.
The westernmost sections of the zapovednik,
called Talovskaya Steppe and Burtinskaya Steppe,
are both generally flat with gently rolling hills.
Nestled between the Ural River and the Republic of
Kazakhstan is Aituarskaya Steppe, the most
mountainous of the four regions. The variety of
landscapes provide ample base for forest, steppe,
and wetland ecosystems. More than 20 freshwater
springs surface in the mountains of the Aituarskaya
Steppe, ultimately flowing into the Ural River. The
easternmost region of the zapovednik, the
Aishchisaiskaya Steppe, is far dryer than the other
three regions. Categorized as steppe-semi-desert,
the Aishchisaiskaya steppe is characterized by flat
plains dotted by low rock outcroppings. Even so,
several small lakes up to 700 meters in diameter
provide oases for water-loving species.
The region's climate is harsh, dry, and
continental, bearing both fierce Siberian winds in
the winter and the hot dry winds from the deserts
of Central Asia in summer. Although the zapovednik
receives little precipitation - from 250-390 cm per
year - temperatures plunge to - 42oC and
snow covers the ground from the end November to the
beginning of April. In summer, temperatures rise to
42oC in July, and dust storms are
common, especially in the eastern part of the
region.
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Conservation
Status
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The idea to create a nature reserve in the
Orenburg Region appeared in the late 1800s, far
before the founding of Russia's first zapovednik in
1916. Aware that the spread of agriculture, in
particular cattle and livestock grazing, was
destroying the last remnants of wild steppe,
members of the Orenburg branch of the Russian
Geographical Society became active supporters of
creating a zapovednik in the Orenburg region.
The desire for economic growth in Russia's
steppe region proved stronger than
conservationists' warnings, however, and government
officials continually delayed plans for founding
the Orenburgsky Zapovednik until a new generation
of conservationists began an active campaign in
1975 to create the zapovednik. Their efforts
eventually proved successful, and in 1989 the four
regions of the Orenburgsky Zapovednik were placed
under official federal protection.
The zapovednik, however, was far from a model of
pristine nature. Regional collective farms had
pastured their herds on the territory of the
zapovednik since the 1920s-1930s. Agricultural
landscapes replaced the natural ecosystems of the
steppes. Some regions of the reserve, such as the
mountainous Aituarkaya Steppe, were comparatively
untouched by human activity; others, such as the
Burtinskaya Steppe, were severely damaged by
overgrazing. Like the delicate ecosystems of the
tundra, so the steppe requires around one hundred
years to recover from environmental damage. In the
first decade since the areas protected by the
Orenburgsky Zapovednik came under protection, the
steppe has begun a process of natural regeneration.
The diversity of plant and animal species in the
reserve grows with each year. The natural flora,
repressed but nonetheless present even after half a
century of intensive grazing, is beginning to rise
from the soil; animals that earlier vanished from
the region have returned in steadily growing
numbers.
Despite the advances in conservation that have
resulted from the formation of the reserve, several
factors still threaten the future health of both
the zapovednik and the unique species it protects.
Occasional fires sparked by lightning in
particularly dry years are a natural and necessary
part of steppe ecosystems, but every year fires
purposefully or accidentally lit by people spread
into the territory of the zapovednik and destroy a
generation of plants and insects, also leaving many
birds and mammals without homes. Severe fires have
raged through three of the four regions of the
zapovednik, burning up to 100 percent of the
territory.
A further problem is the relatively small size
of the reserve, which inhibits the protection of
species that regularly wander beyond the borders of
the reserve. Although together the four regions of
the zapovednik comprise an average-sized small
zapovednik, the four regions are too isolated from
each other (separated by a distance of about 150
kilometers) to create an integrated chain of
protection.
The zapovednik staff is actively involved in
scientific research, environmental education, and
tourism projects.
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References
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Zapovedniks of Russia: Zapovedniks of
Siberia, Volume II. Pavlov, D.S., V. E.
Sokolov, and E. E. Syroechkovsky, eds. Moscow:
Logata, 2000.
Pulyaev, Anatoly. The State Nature
Zapovednik "Orenburgsky" (Booklet in Russian).
Orenburg: Southern Ural, 1999.
Text by Lisa Woodson.
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