|
|
Established: 1990
Area: 22,531 ha (225 km2)
Buffer zone: none
Contact information: Kosarev, Mikhail Nikolaevich, Director
Russia 453535, Republic of Bashkortostan, Burzyansky raion,
s. Irgizly
Tel: (7-347-55) 3-22-17, 3-37-21
Email: kapova@bashnet.ru
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 The
magnificent landscapes of the Shulgan-Tash
Zapovednik, situated in the lolling hills of the
southern Ural Mountains, boast exposed cliffs and
thickly forested mountains, luscious green slopes
and flowering meadows, pristine rivers and
mysterious caves. Wildflowers and the sweet
blossoms of the linden tree support wild
populations of rare Burzyan honeybees. The
Bashkirian people have upheld the tradition of
wild-beekeeping in these mountain forests for
centuries. Another natural treasure, the Kap Cave
with its ancient drawings, stretches nearly three
kilometers beneath the Earth's surface. Tourists
come to the reserve each year to explore the cave
and raft down the picturesque Belaya River, which
winds along the southern border of the nature
reserve.
|
|
|
Photo ©
1999 Igor
Shpilenok
Zapovednik Images
Zapovednik Facts
|
Articles featuring this
nature reserve in
Russian Conservation
News
journal:
|
|
|
Facts: Shulgan-Tash
Zapovednik
|
Animals
|
The Shulgan-Tash Zapovednik provides refuge to
wildlife from nearly all the biogeographical zones
found in Eurasia and includes representatives of
European, Mediterranean, Asian, and western
Siberian fauna. Near the boundary of the steppe and
forest-steppe biomes, grassy meadows, forests, and
steppe ecosystems support this variety of
wildlife.
Bears (Ursus arctos) are prevalent in the
reserve, particularly in summertime when they feed
in broadleaf forests. Badgers (Meles meles)
roam these forests, using the cracks and crevices
of caves as resting areas and for hibernation.
Otters (Lutra lutra) can be seen frolicking
in the numerous rivers in the reserve. Among
ungulates, moose (Alces alces) often winter
in the zapovednik, swimming across the Belaya River
in the spring to larch forests to the west. Wild
boar (Sus scrofa) is a more recent arrival,
having gradually extended its range southward since
the 1980s. Among insectivores, hedgehogs
(Erinaceus concolor) are common in valleys
and low mountains.
Rodents are the most numerous mammals in the
reserve. Mountain hare (Lepus timidis) can
be seen feeding in grassy meadows on mountain
slopes. Red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris),
Russian flying squirrels (Pteromys volans),
and Siberian chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus)
nest in hollow trunks in oak and linden forests.
Common shrews (Sorex aranues) live in
forests and more rarely in dry meadows, while
common and root voles (Microtus arvalis, M.
oeconomus), prefer willow thickets near rivers.
The golden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus), and
wood and yellow-necked mice (Apodemus
sylvaticus, A. flavicollis) inhabit oak
forests.
Bats dwell in the hollow cavities of trees in
broadleaf forests. Long-eared bats (Plecotus
auritus) and northern bats (Vespertilo
nillsoni) overwinter in niches of caves. In all
there are 57 mammals in the zapovednik.
Of the 198 birds in the reserve, the Northern
shoveler (Anas clypeata), tufted pochard
(Aythya fuligula), common golden eye
(Bucephala clangula), and greater greenshank
(Tringa nebularia) are common along rivers
in the spring and fall. The Eurasian dipper
(Cinclus cinclus), which catches small
invertebrates by running along the bottom of
rivers, lives here year round. The little bird
spends the winter near areas of open water, for
example, where the warmer waters of the Shulgan
River surge from underground into the Belaya.
Common crane (Grus grus), common quail
(Coturnix coturnix), and corn crake (Crex
crex) nest in meadows in low mountains. The
great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopus
major), capercaille (Tetrao urogallus),
and woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) prefer
broadleaf forests.
Tawny and great gray owl (Strix aluco, S.
nebulosa), common buzzard (Buteo buteo),
and Eurasian scops-owl (Otus scops) feed on
mice and other small rodents found in meadows and
broadleaf forests. Osprey (Pandion
haliaëtus), peregrine falcon (Falco
peregrinus), white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus
albicilla), black stork (Ciconia nigra),
and short-toed snake-eagle (Circaëtus
gallicus) are among the endangered species of
birds protected in the zapovednik.
The viviparous lizard (Lacerta vivipara)
is ubiquitous in the reserve among reptiles.
Amphibians include the moor frog (Rana
terrestris) and common toad (Bufo
bufo).
Fish are common in the dense network of rivers
and streams in the zapovednik. Minnows
(Phoxinus spp.) are the most common species,
particularly in small streams. Siberian grayling
(Thymallus arcticus), eelpout (Lota
lota), pike (Esox lucius), and taimen
(Hucho taimen) are common in larger rivers,
such as the Belaya and Nugush.
Perhaps the most important species protected in
the Shulgan-Tash Zapovednik is the wild Burzyan
honeybee (Apis mellifera), listed in the
Russian and Bashkirian Red Books of endangered
species. The Burzyan honeybee differs from domestic
bees in two ways: its darker coloring and its
ability to survive in extremely cold weather. The
bee is prized for its delicious golden honey and
high productivity - in the short time that the
linden tree blooms in summer, the busy Burzyan can
produce enough honey to survive the winter. Wild
beekeeping was at its peak in Bashkiria in the 18th
century. By the 20th century, agriculture,
industry, and logging resulted in the fall of wild
beekeeping. The tradition was nearly lost,
remaining only in the mountain forest areas of
Bashkiria. The purebred Burzyan honeybee almost
disappeared from the region altogether. Today, the
Shulgan-Tash Zapovednik is the only place in the
world where the wild bees are still found. Burzyan
honeybees occupy natural cavities in trees but are
also attracted to artificial dens carved out by
humans. Ranger-beekeepers in the Shulgan-Tash
Zapovednik have developed bear-like agility and
skill to stabilize the threatened bee population.
These rangers, all descendants of keepers of wild
bees, employ instruments and skills that have been
passed down in their families for centuries: how to
select a tree and how to build a hive that would
attract bees. With the help of these experienced
beekeepers, the zapovednik carefully preserves this
valuable genepool of the last bees native to
central Russia, and with it the ancient tradition
of beekeepers gathering wild honey.
|
Vegetation
|
The Shulgan-Tash Zapovednik is located near the
boundary of forest and steppe biomes. Light
coniferous and broadleaf forests with fragments of
mountain steppe and meadows make up the majority of
the terrain. The Ural Mountains, marking the border
of Europe and Asia, have a high level of biological
diversity. Forests and associated ecosystems cover
more than 90 percent of the reserve, while rivers
and other bodies of water occupy less than one
percent. Old growth broadleaf forests interspersed
with open clearings of tall grasses and wildflowers
dominate the scenery in the zapovednik.
On lower mountain slopes, small-leaved linden
(Tilia cordata) and English oak (Quercus
robur) grow alongside birch (Betula
spp.) and aspen (Populus tremula). European
fly honeysuckle (Lonicera xylosteum),
mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia), and ground
cherry (Cerasus fruticosa) are found in the
understory. Higher slopes are occupied by sparse
oak stands with small trees. Norway maple (Acer
platanoides), Russian elm (Ulmus
laevis), and Scotch elm (U. glabra) are
also common here. Siberian spruce (Picea
obovata), white alder (Alnus incana),
and black poplar (Populus nigra) occur in
places. Mountain steppe habitats are rare in the
reserve, occupying only the high southern-facing
slopes of river valleys and rocky areas. Rocky
slopes and cliff faces are covered with lichens,
creating a colorful background.
White birch (Betula pendula), weeping
birch (B. pubescens), and aspen grow on the
lower terraces of rivers and in canyons. Scotch
pine (Pinus sylvestris) takes over the
terrain in places. Wolfsbane (Aconitum
septentrionale) and nettle-leaved bellflower
(Campanula trachelium) are common in the
understory and forest clearings. Small
shade-tolerant species like European pyrola
(Pyrola rotundifolia) and chickweed
wintergreen (Trientalis europaea) grow close
to the ground.
Alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus) is
common in places near rivers. Medicinal angelica
(Angelica archangelica) grows densely in
open areas in the floodplains of streams. Willow
(Salix spp.) thickets are found along the
banks of the Belaya River, interspersed with grassy
meadows.
At the end of June and early July, colorful
wildflowers bloom in mountain meadows. The white
flowers of oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum
vulgare) blanket slopes. Willow bell
(Campanula persicifolia), yellow bedstraw
(Galium verum), and rough-fruited cinquefoil
(Potentilla recta) come into bloom.
Small-flowered buttercup (Ranunculus
parviflorus) with violet patches of pot
marjoram (Origanum vulgare), blue speedwells
(Veronica spp.), and the small white flowers
of the lesser starwort (Stellaria graminea)
create a rainbow of colors. The bright red Maltese
cross (Lychnis chalcedonica) dots flowering
meadows in places.
In all, there are 60 types of plant communities
in the zapovednik made up of 789 species of
vascular plants. Over 100 plant species are rare or
endangered. Lathyrus litvinovii and Knautia
tatarica are two species of endemics found in
broadleaf forests in the Urals. These species are
also relics from the pre-Iceage Pliocene Epoch,
along with creeping juniper (Juniperus
sabina), coltsfoot (Asarum europaeum),
and giant fescue (Festuca gigantea).
|
|
Geographical
Features
|
The Shulgan-Tash Zapovednik is located in the
western spurs of the southern Ural Mountains. The
reserve is situated in the Burzyan administrative
district, between the Belaya (White) and Nugush
rivers. Numerous canyons and ridges, intersected by
river valleys, cut through the narrow floodplain of
the Belaya River. The highest point in the reserve
is 600 meters above sea level.
The Belaya River flows along the southern border
of the reserve in two places, while the Nugush
River, the Belaya's largest tributary, hugs the
reserve to the northwest. Many smaller rivers and
streams flow into the Belaya.
The enormous Kap Cave stretches 2.8 kilometers
underground. The cave was formed over millions of
years by the erosive forces of the Shulgan River
combined with karst processes. A grandiose
arch-like formation marks the entrance of the cave,
stretching 38 meters across and 28 meters high.
Here, the Shulgan River surges up from the ground
in a furious crystal clear column rising 30 meters
from beneath the Earth's surface. The Kap Cave has
three different levels, each with a labyrinth of
corridors, halls, and galleries. Stalactites and
stalagmites have formed over thousands of years in
the controlled climate of the cave. The stable
climate within has helped to preserve ancient cave
drawings under trickles of calcite for nearly
15,000 years. Drawings depicting mammoths,
rhinoceroses, early horses, and a number of
puzzling symbols were discovered by reserve
scientists in 1959, the year after the cave was
placed under protection. The works of art are the
most ancient cave drawings in Eastern Europe.
Today, research is underway to determine the best
way to preserve the drawings of the Kap Cave. The
cave serves as a place of worship for Bashkirians
to this day. Thousands of Bashkirians come to the
reserve each summer to venture the cave's depths
with a guide. A number of smaller caves are also
found within the zapovednik, including one that
used to connect to the upper reaches of the Kap
Cave.
The average annual temperature in the
Shulgan-Tash Zapovednik ranges from 1 to
2.9oC. The coldest month of the year is
January, when temperatures average around
-16oC. July is the warmest month of the
year with average temperatures of 15 to
16oC.
|
Conservation
Status
|
The Shulgan-Tash Zapovednik was a division of
the Bashkirsky Zapovednik from 1958 to 1986, when
it was made an independent organization. Today, it
is the smallest zapovednik in the Bashkirian
Republic. Although the zapovednik does not have a
buffer zone, the Bashkirian National Park extends
along 40 percent of the reserve's border to the
south and west. The Altin Solok State Nature
Sanctuary (meaning "Golden Beehive"), created by
the zapovednik in cooperation with local beekeepers
in 1997, protects lands adjacent to the zapovednik
to the north and east.
The Shulgan-Tash Zapovednik was created
primarily to protect dwindling populations of the
unique Burzyan honeybee. Today, scientists and
ranger-beekeepers in the reserve carry out measures
to selectively breed the endangered bees and
restore the wild bee's traditional range. These
measures will help to maintain the genetic
distinctiveness of the aboriginal population of
wild Burzyan honeybees.
The greatest threat to ecosystems in the
Shulgan-Tash Zapovednik and adjacent protected
areas today comes from construction of the
Yumaguzhin Dam on the Belaya River in the
Bashkirian National Park. The dam and resulting
reservoir would flood the lower reaches of the
Belaya River, including meadows where wild Burzyan
honeybees collect nectar and pollen. Environmental
activists around Russia have been pressuring
decision-makers to stop the dam's construction, and
while construction has been halted temporarily, no
real progress has been made. Only time will tell
whether authorities will allow the destruction of
these valuable natural lands to continue.
The zapovednik staff works in a variety of ways
to conserve ecosystems in the Shulgan-Tash
Zapovednik, employing scientific research and
practical applications, environmental education and
ecotourism, and protection measures to ensure the
maximum conservation regime while promoting public
support for reserve activities. The zapovednik has
well-developed tourist facilities, including a
guesthouse, nature trails, and demonstrative
bee-keeping areas. Campgrounds and other facilities
are provided for tourists. Rafting on the Belaya
River is a favorite family pastime.
|
References
|
Study of Nature in the Reserves of
Bashkortostan. Collection of Scientific Works.
Gordinyuk, N.M., Ed. Miass publishing agency.
Bashkortostan, 1999.
Zapovedniks of the USSR: Zapovedniks of
European Russia II. Sokolov, V.E., and E.E.
Syroechkovsky, Eds. Mysl publishing agency. Moscow,
1989.
Zapovedniks and National Parks of Russia.
Zabelina, N.M., L.S. Isaeva-Petrova, and L.V.
Kuleshova. Logata publishing agency. Moscow,
1988.
Text by Laura
Williams. Information also provided by the
staff of the Shulgan-Tash Zapovednik.
|
| Top | Home
| Tour |
Photo Gallery |
Publications |
About CRNC |
Contact Us
|
Brought to you by the
Center for
Russian Nature Conservation
|
