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Established: 1984
Size: 847,100 ha (8471 km2)
Contact information:
Eduard Mikhailovich Gabyshev, Director
Yuri Fillipovich Rozhkov, Deputy Director
Olga Yurevna Rozhkova, Ecological Education
Coordinator
Russia 678100 Sakha Republic (Yakutia),
Olekminsk,
ul. Logovaya d. 31
Tel/fax: (7-41138) 2-10-32
Email: ecos@sakha.ru
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 Olekminsky
Zapovednik harbors virtually inaccessible virgin
boreal forests in the heart of Siberia. Only
nature's rivers and creeks break the continuous
expanses of taiga forests. The largest river is the
Olekma, a tributary of the mighty Lena River.
Wildlife abounds in this remote nature reserve:
moose, reindeer, and tiny musk deer forage on the
mosaic of forest types - from larch and birch to
pine, spruce, and fir. Brown bears frequently roam
the hilly terrain. Wolf, red fox, lynx, and
wolverine are occasionally sighted. The Siberian
sable numbers more than 2500 - a remarkable
recovery after the population dwindled to near
extinction from overhunting in the 17th and 18th
centuries. Once home to ancient tribes, today the
reserve is a World Heritage Site and represents the
only forest reserve in the Yakutian (Sakha)
Republic, the largest region in
Russia.
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Photo©
1998 Igor
Shpilenok
Zapovednik Images
Zapovednik Facts
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Zapovednik
Facts:
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Animals
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The Olekminsky Zapovednik protects the richest
assemblage of wildlife in Eastern Siberia,
including 40 species of mammals. Brown bears
(Ursus arctos) roam the vast expanses of
taiga forest, feasting on berries, vegetation, and
game. Moose (Alces alces) gather near
waterways in the summer - where they seek refuge
from mosquitoes and feed on nutrient-rich aquatic
vegetation. Reindeer (Rangiferus tarandus)
assemble in large herds in the fall along thin
bands of larch forests. The smallest deer - the
musk deer (Mochus moschiferus) - hides from
predators on cliffs and mountain outcroppings,
where it feeds on alpine-forest vegetation. The
endemic Siberian sable (Martes zibellina)
made a remarkable recovery in the reserve,
numbering 2500 animals today. Siberian chipmunk
(Tamias sibiricus), gray lemming (Myopus
schisticolor), northern redbacked vole
(Clethrionomis rutilus), large-toothed
redback vole (Clethrionomis rufocanus),
squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), and flying
squirrel (Pteromys valans) are all common.
Lynx (Felix lynx), wolverine (Gulo
gulo), and wolf (Canus lupis) are
occasionally spotted in the taiga.
More than 180 species of birds have been recorded
in the zapovednik, including species common in
taiga forests such as the hazel grouse
(Tetrastes bonasia), great gray owl
(Strix nebulosa), hawk owl (Surnia
ulula), Tengmalm's owl (Aegolius
funereus), and three-toed (Picoides
tridactylus) and black (Dryocopus
martius) woodpeckers. These share habitats with
species typical for Eastern Siberia such as
capercaille (Tetra parvirostris), red-necked
nightingale (Calliope calliope), Siberian
flycatcher (Muscicapa sibirica), and
Siberian robin (Turdus sibiricus). Recently,
southern avian species began to appear in the
zapovednik, including quail (Coturnix
coturnix), hoopoe (Upupa epopps),
lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), black swift
(Apus apus), and chaffinch (Fringilla
coelebs).
Ten species of birds are listed in the Russian Red
Book of rare and endangered species: golden eagle
(Aquila chrysaetos), osprey (Pandion
haliaetus), hooded crane (Grus monacha),
demoiselle crane (Anthropoides virgo), black
stork (Ciconia nigra), peregrine falcon
(Falco peregrinus), honey buzzard (Pernis
ptilorhyncus oriebtalis), Brent goose
(Branta bernicla), and two species of curlew
(Numenius madagascariensis and N.
minutus).
Eighteen species of fish inhabit the waterways of
the zapovednik along with three species of
amphibians. Two species of reptiles have been
reported. The diversity of insects in the region
was unknown until scientists began an inventory in
1997. Thus far, 200 species have been identified.
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Vegetation
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The Olekminsky Zapovednik is a virgin oasis of
boreal forest (taiga). Forests cover 87.9% of the
territory. Vegetation in the northern Prilena
Plateau differs significantly from that found in
the southern Aldan Uplands. The zapovednik forms
the northern boundary for several tree species
including Siberian cedar (Pinus sibirica),
fir (Abies sibirica), and spruce (Picea
obovata). Mixed larch (Larix dahurica)
and birch (Betula platyphylla) stands cover
53.7% of the reserve, whereas Scots pine (Pinus
sylvestris), Siberian spruce, and fir stands
occupy 28.9%. Dwarf birch stands extend along
rivers and creeks - a result of succession of
meadows in shallow valleys. Remnant meadows stretch
up to 30 m wide in bands along the banks of rivers,
producing nutrient-rich grasses that support
thriving herbivore populations. Wetlands cover 2.1%
of the zapovednik, providing crucial habitat for
birds, amphibians, and other aquatic animals.
More than 650 species of higher plants grow in the
zapovednik, six of which are listed under category
III of the Russian Red Book of Rare and Endangered
Species. These are: Cypripedium macranthon,
Cypripedium calceolus, Orchis militaris, Aconogonon
amgense, Calypso bulbosa, and Iris
laevigata. In addition, 74 species are listed
in the Yakutian (Sakha) Red Book.
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Geographical
Features
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The entire territory of the zapovednik is
cloaked in a layer of permafrost, reaching 100-200
meters thick. Only the top 2-4 meters thaw out in
the summer when the vigorous covering of vegetation
comes to life. The zapovednik is furrowed with
hilly terrain and low mountain ranges. Tundra
vegetation is found at 1000-1100 m above sea level.
Upper elevation taiga forests of larch and dwarf
pines are found at 900-1000 m. Larch, cedar, and
pine stands are generally found from 500-900 m.
Ancient tribes once inhabited areas of the Olekma
River basin. Remains of campsites, ancient burial
grounds, and cliff drawings tell us of human
presence here many thousands of years ago.
Ancestors of indigenous tribes now living in
Siberia, the primitive peoples also gave rise to
the Eskimos and Indians in North America.
Altogether, 28 archeological sites have been
described in the Olekma River basin - probably only
a fraction of what is actually hidden here.
Explorers have yet to research the virtually
untouched land between the Olekma and Amgina rivers
- where the zapovednik is situated - and many new
discoveries of natural beauty and history await
us.
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Conservation
Status
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The Olekminsky Zapovednik is an important
representative of the boreal forests in Yakutia -
the only forest reserve in the Yakutian Republic.
The reserve is a World Heritage Site, in part due
to the 28 archeological sites preserving remnants
of ancient human cultures. The first explorers of
the Far East region went down the Olekma River to
discover the valley of the Amur River.
The zapovednik is an important biological
monitoring site in the Yakutian (Sakha) Republic.
The reserve is a member of the International
Organization of Biological Field Stations (IOBFS)
and a participant of the "GLOBE" international
ecological monitoring program, unifying groups
through the Internet, which conduct observations of
the natural environment all over the planet.
Yet the remoteness and inaccessibility of the
territory of the zapovednik make monitoring and
protection an arduous task. Rangers stationed in
the reserve have a difficult time receiving
supplies of food and fuel. In the summer, the
center of the reserve can be reached only by
helicopter. Most of the supplies are delivered to
the reserve during the winter along frozen
waterways and roads.
The scientific department of the zapovednik does
not have a full complement of specialists and
researchers. In addition to monitoring the
zapovednik territory, the reserve is in charge of
conducting research on the neighboring nature
refuge, established with the assistance of the
World Wildlife Fund. This territory is one and a
half times bigger than the zapovednik and is poorly
studied. We would like to invite all interested
foreign scientists familiar with boreal forests to
research this area and help fill in another gap on
the map of the world.
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References
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Text prepared by Yuri and Olga Rozhkov.
Translated to English by Laura
Williams.
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