|
Zapovednik
Facts:
|
Animals
|
The forests that blanket the steep mountain
slopes of the reserve are home to a diversity of
animal life. Squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris),
chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus), and several
species of shrews (Sorex spp.) are common in
the mixed forest that covers much of the reserve.
Other rodents that live in the zapovednik include
the zokor or mole-rat (Myospalax spp.) and
local species of bush mouse (Sicista napaea)
and mole (Talpa altaica). Alpine hares
(Lepus timidus) chase through the alpine
meadows high in the reserve.
Three species of weasel (Mustela sibirica, M.
nivalis, M. altaica) live in reserve. Sable
(Martes zibellina), ermine (Mustela
erminea tobolica), and mink (Mustela
lutreola) can be found throughout the territory
of the zapovednik, but prefer the shelter of the
fir and larch forests in the forest-steppe regions
of the reserve.
Larger predators, such as the fox (Vulpes
vulpes), wolf (Canis lupus), wolverine
(Gulo gulo), brown bear (Ursus
arctos), and lynx (Felis lynx) find
plenty of food among the rich fauna of the
zapovednik. High in the rock tundra, the endangered
snow leopard (Uncia uncia) hunts for small
animals, such as the alpine pika (Ochotona
alpina) and high-mountain vole (Alticola
macrotis).
Water voles (Arvicola terrestris), narrow
sculled voles (Microtus gregalis), Eurasian
shrews (Neomys fodiens), and American mink
(Mustela vison) make their homes along
rivers in the reserve. The otter (Lutra
lutra), a species considered endangered in the
Republic of Altai but common in the reserve, lives
year-round near the headwaters of the Katun River,
which remains unfrozen for much of the winter. At
times when the river is frozen, these animals walk
along the Katun for kilometers in search of holes
in the ice suitable for fishing.
Indeed, when winter temperatures plunge the high
mountain forests and meadows of the zapovednik into
heavy snows, animal life in the reserve changes
sharply. Layers of snow over a meter deep hinder
ungulates from finding food, and many of these
animals leave the reserve in the winter, wandering
along the Katun River toward lower elevations. But
in the summer, the mountain forests of the
zapovednik are home to multiple Siberian deer, or
marals (Cervus elaphus), as well as moose
(Alces alces), roe deer (Capreolus
capreolus), and musk deer (Moschus
moschiferus). Occasionally the rare Siberian
ibex (Capra sibirica) and Altai argali
mountain sheep (Ovis ammon ammon) can be
spotted along the rocky slopes of Mount Belukha in
the reserve's biosphere polygon.
Two species of myotis (Myotis mystasinus, M.
daubentoni), a bat-like animal endangered in
the Republic of Altai, live in the reserve. In all,
scientists have recorded 47 species of mammals in
the reserve.
Of the 120 bird species found in the zapovednik,
80 build their nests in the reserve, while the
other 40 fly through during annual migrations or
spend the winter. The ortolan bunting (Emberiza
hortulana), European stonechat (Saxicola
torquata), skylark (Alauda arvensis),
and horned lark (Eremophila alpestris) are
quite common throughout the territory of the
reserve. The wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)
builds its nest and raises its young in the burrows
of the Alaskan ground squirrel (Citellus
undulatus). The forest-steppe landscape is the
favored habitat of the kestrel (Falco
tinnunculus), an indefatigable hunter of
mouse-like rodents. Meanwhile the golden eagle
(Aquila chrysaetos) and peregrine falcon
(Falco peregrinus) prefer building their
nests in the sheer cliffs common to the reserve.
In the forest belt, bird life thrives along
noisily gurgling streams that carry clear, cold
water along valleys. The dipper (Cinclus
cinclus) is characteristic of such places,
fearlessly diving onto rapids and turbulent waters.
In the summer, gray wagtails (Motacilla
cinerea) and common sandpipers (Tringa
hypoleucos) hop along the shores in search of
food. Occasionally horned and black-necked grebes
(Podiceps auritus, P. nigricollis) can be
spotted in and around lakes in the reserve. This
unusual bird holds its offspring on its back, where
the fluffy gray young can hide in their parents'
feathers at the slightest sign of danger.
In the forests bird life is particularly active
in spring, when nesting birds return from their
annual migrations. The woods fill with the songs of
newly returned tree pipits (Anthus
trivialis), warblers (Phylloscolus
spp.), and thrushes (Turdus spp.).
Meanwhile, the hazel grouse (Bonasa
bonasia), European nuthatch (Sitta
europaea), and Eurasian nutcracker
(Nucifraga caryocatactes) are already busy
at work tending their nests. Capercailles
(Tetrao urogallus) and black grouse
(Lyrurus tetrix) are rarer in these forests.
The mountain tundra of the zapovednik provides a
home for alpine and tundra species, such as the
willow and rock ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus, L.
mutus), Altai accentor (Prunella
himalayana), and Hodgson's rosy finch
(Leucosticte nemoricola). Occasionally the
endemic Altai snowcock (Tetraogallus
altaicus) can be glimpsed in these mountain
heights.
The buffer zone of the zapovednik plays a
particular role in preserving a diversity of bird
life, providing nesting grounds for the endangered
black stork (Ciconia nigra). Moreover, a
number of species fly regularly between the
zapovednik and its buffer zone, including the
imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca), gray crane
(Grus grus), demoiselle crane
(Anthropoides virgo), and solitary snipe
(Gallinago solitaria).
Only three species of reptiles can survive in
the high mountains of the reserve: two species of
snakes, the mamushi (Agkistrodon halys) and
common adder (Vipera berus), and one lizard
(Lacerta vivipara). The waters that flow
through the reserve, however, teem with eight
species of fish, including the locally endangered
(Brachymystax lenok), as well as Siberian
graylings (Thymallus arcticus), minnows
(Phoxinus phoxinus), burbots (Lota
lota), and Siberian bullheads (Cottus
sibiricus).
|
Vegetation
|
The broad range of elevations in Katunsky
Zapovednik provides ideal conditions for a variety
of vegetation ranging from steppe and meadow to
forest and high mountain tundra communities.
Scientists have identified nearly 700 species of
vascular plants in the core region of the
zapovednik - up to 1000 in the biosphere reserve in
its entirety - including 20 species listed in the
Red Data Book of the Republic of Altai.
The most biologically diverse regions of the
reserve are found in the lower elevations where
steppe communities dominate, generally on the
southern mountain faces that receive the strongest
beams of sunlight. In these regions, up to 60
species of vascular plants may grow within a space
of 100 square meters. Various species of grasses
comprise the basis of these communities: an
endangered feather-grass (Stipa pennata),
crested hair-grass (Koeleria cristata), and
a local species of oat-grass (Helictotrichon
altaicum). Several species from the onion
family (Allium spp.), including an
endangered endemic onion (A. altaicum) bring
color to these grasslands.
Forests and meadows cover the majority of the
core zone of the zapovednik. Taiga forests, which
blanket many of the zapovednik's steep slopes,
include a broad range of tree species and types of
forests. Around 1700-1900 meters above sea level on
northern-facing slopes, deciduous forests are
common. Along the treeline in the subalpine zone,
mixed cedar and deciduous forests blend with high
grasses and shrubs, such as melancholy thistle
(Cirsium heleniodes), northern monkshood
(Aconitum septentrionale) and small species
of birches (Betula rotundifolia) and willows
(Salix glauca). In the valleys, firs
dominate, while willow groves (Salix viminalis,
S. phylicifolia, S. pentandra) and mixed fir
forests line the banks of the Katun River and its
tributaries.
The short grass meadows interspersed among the
forested slopes of the reserve and along the Katun
River are particularly unique in the variety of
plant communities they support. Steppe species such
as purple-stemmed cat's tail (Phleum
phleoides) and fescue grass (Festuca
spp.) may grow in the same small meadow with cock's
foot (Dactylis glomerata), northern bedstraw
(Galium boreale), and even high mountain
flowers, such as local species of gentians
(Gentiana macrophylla) and violets (Viola
altaica).
Around 2000 meters above sea level this unique
blend of forest and meadow flora gives way to a
belt of mountain tundra. Lichens and dryads, such
as mountain avens (Dryas oxydonta), dominate
these high meadows, which play a particularly
important role in preserving endangered subalpine
and alpine flora of the Altai region. Locally
endangered plants, including species of
Stemmacantha carthamoides or Rhaponticum
carthamoides, French honeysuckle (Hedysarum
theinum), and monkshood (Aconitum
decipiens) are common in these regions. Rocky
passes and moist alpine meadows are home to several
rare species of roseroot (Rhodiola algida, R.
rosea, R. coccinea). Various species of
saxifrage (Saxifraga oppositifolia, S.
terektensis, S. sibirica) and rosebay
willow-herb (Chamaenerion latifolium)
brighten meadows in summer with their many-colored
blossoms.
|
|
Geographical
Features
|
Katunsky Zapovednik sits in the heights of the
central Altai Mountains, located in the southern
region of the Autonomous Republic of Altai along
the border with Kazakhstan. The zapovednik includes
the southern slopes of the Katunsky Range and parts
of the northern slopes of the Katunsky and
Listvyaga Ranges. Some of the highest peaks in the
region are found here, reaching as high as 3,280
meters above sea level. The lowest point of the
zapovednik sits 1,300 meters above sea level.
Glaciers, past and present, played a principle
role in carving the sharp peaks, deep valleys, and
sharp ravines that characterize these mountains.
Indeed, the largest glacial system in all of
Siberia runs through the reserve, involving 148
individual glaciers covering a territory of nearly
80 square kilometers. Mountain streams flowing from
these glaciers and bubbling up from underground
springs tumble down the steep and rocky slopes,
eventually finding their way into the mighty Katun
River. Multiple lakes augment the mountains and
forests of the reserve. The three Multa Lakes form
a particularly picturesque cascade along the Multa
River valley.
Favorable wind patterns lend the region a
considerably mild climate despite its location in a
region known for extreme weather conditions. Winter
temperatures hover between -20 degrees Celsius in
the high mountains and -16 in the valleys.
Meanwhile, summer temperatures range between about
five to 15 degrees Celsius. Nonetheless, snow
covers the ground through most of the year. Average
annual precipitation can range from 500 to 1500
millimeters.
|
Conservation
Status
|
The idea to form a zapovednik in the high
mountains of the central Altai began in 1917 and
later received support in the 1960s as researchers
working in the area noted the need for increased
protection of unique high-mountain ecosystems and
animals that were becoming endangered. After
decades of discussion in the press, regional
government officials rejected initial
recommendations for a large reserve covering a
territory most representative of landscapes unique
to the central Altai, instead creating a 1,500
square kilometer zapovednik in a region of little
interest for the country's economic development.
Although far from large population centers in
Russia, the zapovednik still suffers from illegal
use, particularly from the Kazakhstan side, which
is more easily accessible. Long before the founding
of the reserve, people used the region for various
purposes, including tourism, bee-keeping, hunting,
fishing, and mining. Beginning in the 1960s, a
sharp rise in the size of livestock herds - mainly
cattle, horses, and sheep - in Kazakhstan led to
widespread pasturing on the current territory of
the zapovednik, a practice which continues
illegally to this day. Illegal logging and
poaching, practices that began long before the
founding of the zapovednik, also continue despite
the efforts of zapovednik staff to curtail illegal
entry onto the reserve.
In 1998, UNESCO included Katunsky Zapovednik in
the list of Natural World Heritage Sites as one of
five sites listed in the "Golden Mountains of
Altai." Then just over a year later the protected
area was named a biosphere reserve, the designation
of an area as a model of environmentally
sustainable development. The initial territory of
the zapovednik was appointed as the core (strictly
protected area) of the reserve, and the buffer zone
as the buffer of the core. A new biosphere polygon
- a strategic area for sustainable development -
included Belukha National Park and the area on the
right bank of the Katun River.
Scientific research began in the zapovednik a
year after its founding, gaining prestige and
experience with each year. Projects to monitor
critical populations of snow leopards within and
outside the territory of the zapovednik have
received particular attention in recent years. In
addition to studying natural systems of the central
Altai mountains, zapovednik staff have studied
traditional and sustainable natural resource use in
the area. They have also directed particular
attention to developing environmental tourism
within the biosphere reserve.
|
References
|
Zapovedniks of Russia: Siberia, Volume II. D. S.
Pavlov, V. E. Sokolov, E. E. Syroechkovsky, eds.
Moscow: Logata, 2000.
Additional information provided by zapovednik
staff.
Text by Lisa Woodson.
|
| Top | Home
| Tour |
Photo Gallery |
Publications |
About CRNC |
Contact Us |
Brought to you by the
Center for
Russian Nature Conservation
Designed and hosted
by CenterMedia
|
