In our article we want to tell you about the Mordovian Reserve. It is located in the Temnikovsky district of Mordovia, in the zone of deciduous and coniferous forests, as well as forest-steppe, on the banks of the Moksha River. The total area of the reserve is more than thirty-two thousand hectares of land.
From the history of the reserve
Mordovian nature reserve named after P. G. Smidovich was organized in March 1936, and he got his name in honor of a state worker of that time, who was involved in environmental issues in the country.
The primary task of creating the reserve was to restore the number of forests affected by logging and burned in fires. In 1938, the taiga zone trees lost about two thousand hectares of trees. At present, a struggle is underway to preserve the natural landscape of the region.
Mordovian nature reserve named after P. G. Smidovich, as well as its environs, contain many historical monuments. For example, here you can find ancient settlements and sites of a man dating back to the Neolithic era. In the seventeenth and twentieth centuries, the southeastern part of the Murom forests belonged to monasteries, whose servants tried to preserve and increase forest wealth. They built special ditches to drain wetlands. The remains of their activities have survived to this day.
The reserve regularly monitors the status of the rarest species of flora at stationary registration sites.
Location of the conservation area
Mordovian State Nature Reserve named after P. G. Smidovich is located on the right bank of Moksha. The border of the northern part of the conservation area runs along Satis, which is a tributary of Moksha. The western border is outlined by the Black River, Moksha and Satisu. On the south side comes the forest-steppe, which naturally outlines the boundaries of protected lands. It turns out that the forest reserves are included in the coniferous and deciduous forests on the very border with the forest-steppe.
As for climate, the protected area falls into the Atlantic-continental region. The frost-free period in a year is up to 135 days. The minus temperature begins in November. The maximum warm temperature here reaches forty degrees, and the minimum in winter to -48 degrees.
Water system
The water system of protected lands is represented by the rivers Bolshaya and Malaya Chernaya, Pusta and Arga. There are streams flowing into Moksha. All of them also have their own tributaries. However, in the summer, some rivers partially dry up. Summer rains have little effect on the water level in the rivers. Only heavy rains can lead to an increase in river water levels. Most of the reserve is the catchment area of the Pusta River. There are lakes in the southwest, and there are many of them, about two dozen. There are large and small in size.
Flora Nature Reserve
The Mordovian nature reserve is entirely covered with forests. Half of them are pine. But in the eastern and western parts birch massifs prevail, in the central part - linden trees. Oaks grow in the floodplain of the Moksha River, which are one hundred forty to one hundred and fifty years old. Sometimes there are more ancient giants, whose age reaches three hundred years.
The flora of the reserve is represented by 788 species of vascular plants, as well as 73 species of mosses. The most common type of vegetation is subtaiga (light coniferous) forests of various types. Pine-oak as well as pine-linden forests are specific to this region. Moisture and soil provides such a wide variety of forests. Here you can see dry lichen pine forests, and raw spruce forests, and black alder poplars.
It must be said that the Mordovian reserve (photos are given in the article) has preserved quite a lot of forests in its natural state on its territory. Pine forests dominate. There are no clear boundaries between the varieties of forests.
Fauna of the conservation area
In 1930, the Mordovian Smidovich Reserve was engaged in the introduction of new species introduced into the protected area. So, desman, sika deer, brought from Primorye, which not only took root in these parts, but also became quite common for the region, and the most numerous of ungulates, were released into the lakes. From the Voronezh region and Kherson (Askania-Nova) marals were brought here. In 1940, roe deer were introduced. Later, bison and bison, Ukrainian gray cattle were also brought. They even created a special bison park, which existed until 1979. Unfortunately, further work was stopped, the bison park was destroyed, and the animals themselves were sent for free residence.
Beaver population recovery
Over the years of its existence, the Mordovian State Nature Reserve named after Smidovich restored the number of beavers almost completely exterminated. Work began in the late thirties. Now in the Moksha river basin, beavers have become quite numerous.
Eight hundred individuals were sent for further resettlement in Mordovia, Ryazan, Arkhangelsk, Vologda and Tomsk regions.
Beavers are very interesting animals. For harvesting feed and for construction, they cut down trees. Twigs are gnawed, and then the trunk is divided into separate parts. Imagine that they can knock down aspen in just five minutes. A tree with a diameter of forty centimeters is slowly being cut in one night. By the morning after their active work there remains only a stump and a bunch of sawdust. Beavers gnaw, standing on their hind legs, and rely on the tail. Their jaws work like a saw. The teeth in animals are self-sharpening, and therefore always remain sharp.
Beavers partially eat branches from a fallen tree on the spot, and the rest are rafted down the river to their house or to the place where they will build a new dam. Sometimes animals even dig channels that serve to transport feed. The length of such a channel can be a couple of hundred meters, and a width of up to fifty centimeters. The depth in this case reaches one meter.
Beavers live in minks, or so-called huts. The entrance to their house is always under water. Burrows animals dig in the shores. They are a complex system of labyrinths with four to five entrances. Walls and floors beavers are very carefully processed. In general, the living room itself is located at a depth of not more than one meter, has a width of up to a meter and a height of up to fifty centimeters. Animals think over the dwelling so that the height of the floors in the house is twenty centimeters above the water. If suddenly the water level in the river rises, then the beaver immediately raises the floor, scraping building material from the ceiling.
Animals build huts in those places where it is impossible to dig a hole. These are either low swampy shores or shallows. The walls of the house are coated with silt or clay, it becomes strong and impregnable for any predator. Air enters the hut through the ceiling. There are many moves inside. With the onset of frost, animals warm their home and throughout the winter it remains at a positive temperature. Water in the manholes never freezes, and therefore beavers can always go out under the ice of a reservoir. During severe frosts over the huts you can see steam. This suggests that the house is inhabited. Sometimes the settlement of this animal simultaneously consists of holes and a hut. Why do you think beavers build dams? Everything is very simple. They, though large, but rodents. They have a lot of enemies: bear, wolf, wolverine, lynx. To prevent enemies from reaching them, the entrance must be flooded. For a beaver, this is not an obstacle, and predators will not get to it. However, these animals cannot live all the time in water.
Lynx in the Mordovian Reserve
In the reserve, lynx belongs to protected animals. Currently, an increase in the number of this animal is expected. According to employees, this is due to the fact that this year there is an increase in their main white hare feed.
In addition, researchers have recorded an increase in the number of other animals such as squirrels and sika deer. I must say that in recent years the number of squirrels, roe deer, foxes, martens has increased. All these data are obtained thanks to route accounting, which allows you to track the change in the number of individuals.
In general, lynx is a very beautiful and hardy animal, which is a symbol of the reserve. The Mordovian Nature Reserve first discovered the lynx in March 1941 in the wake of its life. Then in 1942, hunters killed three individuals at once (it was a female and two young lynxes), and later an adult male. And since then for six years no traces of this animal have been found.
And only in 1949 the Mordovian nature reserve began to re-populate the lynx.
This animal is characterized by a dense and strong physique, has very developed legs. The fur of the animal is beautiful and thick. The sense of smell of a lynx is not very developed, but hearing and vision are excellent. Like all cats, she climbs wonderful trees, moves quietly and silently, and if necessary makes a big jump for prey. In general, lynx feeds on hares and some birds (capercaillie and hazel grouse). However, sometimes they are able to attack prey much larger than themselves, if they see that they can overpower it. So recorded cases of attacks on roe deer, deer. Lynx is a night hunter.
Rumors have it that cats are very strong and bloodthirsty, but talk of attacks on people is extremely exaggerated. If the animal is not touched, then it itself will never be the first to attack. Lynx, on the contrary, tries to bypass a person.
Unfortunately, a decrease in the number of wild cats was previously observed. But at present, the population has increased significantly.
Tasks assigned to the reserve
The Mordovian State Nature Reserve named after P. G. Smidovich carries out measures to preserve the natural state of natural complexes (biotechnical, fire-fighting and other measures), measures to protect and protect forests, measures to extinguish fires, equip territories with signs and information boards.
The employees of the reserve are faced with the task of identifying and suppressing any violations of the protected area regime. The Mordovian nature reserve carries out environmental education work, including with schoolchildren.
In addition, research work is being carried out. The administration of the sanatorium organizes educational ecological tourism. First of all, the creation of special ecological trails with places for tourists to relax.
Mordovian and ecological tourism reserve
The purpose of the reserve is to preserve and increase natural wealth, rather than hiding them from the human eye behind seven locks. Therefore, the Mordovian Nature Reserve is actively involved in the development of ecological tourism. This is primarily a journey into the world of the new and unknown. Similar tours are organized in untouched forests for human cognitive and educational activities.
As part of such tourism, ecological trails, specialized recreation areas, visit centers and many other interesting objects have long been created in the reserve. However, the reserve is closed, its visit is prohibited. But tourist excursions are possible, but by prior arrangement with the administration.
Since 2013, the reserve has also become a tourist operator of the Russian Federation. He offers his visitors eight different tour programs for every taste:
1. "Visiting the reserve" - a one-day program with a visit to the central estate and thematic events.
2. "Mordovia Reserve" - a one-day excursion route with a visit to the main attractions of the reserve.
3. Expedition to the Inorsk cordon. A seven-day hike with visits to monasteries, scenic spots, as well as educational classes and programs.
4. Expedition to the Pavlovsky cordon. Five days, guests live in wooden houses, go on excursions, visit monasteries and the main estate.
5. "The course of survival in the forest." This trip is designed for five days with accommodation and meals in camping conditions. The instructors will teach you the basics of survival in the wild, as well as master classes await you.
6. "Our animals." A fascinating journey into the world of wildlife. The guide will introduce you to the life of birds and animals. Also in winter, vacationers will be able to ride a snowmobile.
7. Family tour. This tour is designed for the weekend. In two days you will not only visit protected places, but also a number of monasteries.
8. Tour "National cuisine". You can not only enjoy the beauty of the reserved lands, but also taste the dishes of national cuisines.
