It is rare to find reserves that would stretch their borders not only within the region or territory, but also capture neighboring countries. The Caucasian State Biosphere Nature Reserve is just that. Starting in the Krasnodar Territory, it passes into the Adygea, and then into the Karachay-Cherkess Republic.
History of the reserve
These lands have an interesting background that preceded the idea of one person to create a closed territory here to preserve the endangered species of bison. This is today the Shaposhnikov Caucasian State Nature Biosphere Reserve, which has an area of more than 280, 000 hectares, and once there were grounds for tsarist hunting.
It all began in 1888, when the Grand Dukes took part of the land located along the Greater Caucasus Range, for rent for hunting there for representatives of the royal family and their guests. Initially, 480, 000 acres of forest were allocated for this fun, but after 4 years interest in the land disappeared due to the health of the tenants.
When the lease of land began to come to an end in 1906, it was extended for 3 years, during which the forest ranger from the territory belonging to the Kubansky Army compiled and petitioned the Academy of Sciences with a proposal to organize a nature reserve here. The surname of this person then began to be called the Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve named after Shaposhnikov.
In the map attached to the petition, the boundaries of the future conservation area, created exclusively for the purpose of preserving the Caucasian bison, were precisely indicated.
The division of lands is a lengthy business, and the commission convened by the Academy of Sciences was not in a hurry to make a decision, therefore, only in 1919 the necessary documents were signed, but this was not the beginning. The advent of Soviet power “pushed” the organization of the Caucasian State Biosphere Nature Reserve for another 5 years. It was established and fixed within its borders only in May 1924. From that moment, his activity began to protect the unique flora and fauna of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range.
The location of the reserve
The Caucasian State Biosphere Nature Reserve has spread from the northern to the southern slopes of the Western Caucasus, but besides this territory it has separate “branches”. For example, it was decided to include a grove with relict yews and boxwoods in its composition. Today, the Khostinsky part of the Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve in Sochi is located here. Its area is only 302 hectares, but the worldwide value of the relict forest can hardly be overestimated.
The entire territory of the reserve, as well as its Hostinsky branch and the Sochi National Park, is under protection.
For convenience, this natural zone was divided into sections that received their names at their location, for example, Western, Eastern, Hostinsky and others. Foresters are assigned to each department; houses for their living and animal feeders are equipped there.
Today, the Caucasian State Biosphere Nature Reserve is a real open-air laboratory where the country's best biologists, ecologists and zoologists work. This is due not only to the fact that it has become the property of UNESCO, but also to a kind of territory to deter a negative attitude to nature in the world, which is reflected in all of humanity.
Flora of the reserved land
These places can be called unique, since so many plants, mosses, trees and shrubs in one territory are often not found, it is not for nothing that the Caucasian State Biosphere Nature Reserve (information from the organization’s website) is the second largest and most significant in Europe.
In total, 3000 plant species grow here, among which:
- Mushrooms more than seven hundred species.
- The Astrov family is represented by 189 species.
- Trees belonging to deciduous, 142 species, conifers - 7, evergreen deciduous - 16.
- According to local scientists, every fifth plant in the reserve is either a relic or an endemic that grows exclusively in the area of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range.
- Here you can find ferns (40 species) in the same area with orchids (more than 30).
- In the yew-boxwood forest known to many, trees grow that are more than 2000 years old. They also became the property of UNESCO.
If we consider the FSBI "Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve" territorially, then it can be divided into a forest zone, which occupies most of the area, and alpine and subalpine meadows on the mountain slopes.
Fauna
Maybe someone will not be happy with the information that 10, 000 species of insects live in the Caucasus Reserve, some of which do not favor tourists, but in fact these places are inhabited by unique and often rare animals. Among them:
- Mammals - about 90 species.
- Birds - more than 240, some of which nest in these forests.
- There are 15 species of reptiles, and 9 amphibians.
- Fishes are represented by 21 species, but local ponds are rich in mollusks - more than a hundred.
Until now, scientists have not found out how many arachnids and invertebrates are in the reserve. But big mammals like brown bears, deer, bison, chamois, West Caucasian tours and others enjoy the great love of foresters and the admiration of tourists.
To date, more than 70 animals living in the Caucasian Biosphere Nature Reserve are listed in the Red Book.
Volunteering
Such a huge territory, like the Caucasus Nature Reserve, is very difficult to equip and clean. Here volunteers come to the rescue of forester and scientists. In 2016 alone, nearly five hundred people helped clean the area from fallen trees, mow grass in the hay so that the animals had what to eat in winter, clean up in the famous rope training park, and much more.
All work was carried out on a voluntary free basis, and thanks to these people, today the reserve looks more well-groomed and safe.
As a thank you, the administration of the conservation area allowed volunteers to take walks to its most interesting places and visit the aviary park, which contains wild animals.
