The Chelyabinsk region is located in the Southern Urals, on the border of two parts of the world - Asia and Europe, in the very center of the vast continent of Eurasia. Naturally, the climate here is continental, with long cold winters (the average January temperature is 17-18 degrees) and moderately warm summers (the average July temperature is 16-19 degrees). The Ural Mountains and the presence of a large number of lakes and rivers influence the climate.
Three natural areas of the region
Plants and animals of the Chelyabinsk region, their number and varieties in the form in which they exist today, are determined by the geographical location and size of the region.
The nature of the Chelyabinsk region is represented by three zones - mountain-forest, forest-steppe and steppe. Fauna and flora are located according to their natural zones. Taiga, broad-leaved and mixed forests, as well as the corresponding fauna, are located in the mountain forest zone, other animal species are found in their natural habitat - in the steppes and river valleys of the Southern Urals. The forest fund occupies 2.5 million hectares, or more than 25% of the region. In the north of the region, aspen-birch and pine forests grow, the central part is occupied by the forest-steppe, and in the south is spreading grass-grass steppe.
Caring for nature
Animals of the Chelyabinsk region are very numerous. Thus, more than 60 species of mammals live in the region. In addition to them, there are 300 species of birds (80% of them are nesting) and 60 species of fish. Amphibians and reptiles in the region recorded more than 20 species.
This subject is one of the most economically developed in the Russian Federation. Progress in this region negatively affects the surrounding flora and fauna, therefore, many species of plants and animals are listed in the Red Book. But it may be because a tenth of the region’s territory is under protection, and reserves and national parks, hunting and botanical reserves were located on an area of 1000 hectares, the wildlife of the Chelyabinsk region has not become scarce. The oldest and most famous is the Ilmensky State Reserve, formed in 1920. Its area is 30.3 thousand hectares.
Predators and artiodactyls
Animals of the Chelyabinsk region are represented by the following varieties. From the order of predators there are families of cats, mustelids, bears and dogs. Especially a lot of representatives of the Kunih family - in the region there are a badger, an otter. There are ermine and columns, pine marten and weasel, American, European and Siberian minks, as well as the steppe ferret. The remaining families of predators are represented by a lynx, brown bear, wolf, steppe fox and raccoon dog. From the order of artiodactyls Siberian roe deer, sika deer, elk and wild boar are found here.
Representatives of the wildlife of the region
As already noted, the animals of the Chelyabinsk region are quite numerous. So, there are 500-600 animals in the region, and 150-200 animals for lynxes, and 1500-2000 animals for wild boars.
Of the mammals, in addition to a large detachment of rodents, there are hare-like, insectivorous and bats. The families of shrews (insectivores) and hamsters (rodents) are especially widely represented.
Endangered species
Animals of the Chelyabinsk region (see photo and description below), such as the Russian desman, are under the threat of complete extinction. Interestingly, in the XIX century the region was fully included in the habitat of this animal. Then, references to meetings with her disappeared altogether. In the 50s of the last century, work began on its re-acclimatization. Today, the number in the region is unknown. The Red Book of the Chelyabinsk Region has replenished with this rare species of the mole family, which is also called Khokhule. Animals, such as the Russian muskrat or river otter, settle along the shores of small lakes, elders, and rivers with a weak current. The shores should be steep and overgrown with vegetation, as well as convenient for digging holes, the entrance to which is always located under water. The depth of the reservoir should not exceed 3 meters. It feeds on leeches, mollusks, various insects. In the litter of a Russian desman, from 1 to 5 cubs, but most often 2-3.
Poisonous plants of the Chelyabinsk region
About 50 species of toxic flora species grow in the region. Their danger to humans and animals is due to the fact that they contain alkaloids and glycosides, as well as complex compounds in the form of milky juices and resins.
Belena is black. It can grow in different places: in gardens, on vacant lots, along roads. Poisonous seeds and leaves are those in which hyoscyamine and scopolamine are found in high concentrations. These alkaloids are detrimental to the nervous system.
Hemlock. Unpretentious and growing everywhere. The whole plant is poisonous. Of the alkaloids, koniin is most found, causing severe poisoning, often ending fatally.
The milestone is poisonous. It is found in wetlands. Poisonous properties are due to the content of cycutotoxin.
What is the Red Book and why is it needed
Why are representatives of the animal and plant world listed in this book, because it is not a law on nature conservation? She simply draws people's attention to endangered species with her alarming color. The book, having a red cover, consists of multi-colored pages. The names of species that have disappeared forever are added to the black pages. On the red pages are the names of rare and endangered species (bison, red wolf, etc.). On the yellow pages you can find out about species that are rapidly declining (polar bears, pink flamingos). Animals and plants of the Red Book of the Chelyabinsk region, as well as other regions, located on the white pages, belong to those species, which in nature have always been not very many. Little-studied representatives of flora and fauna located in inaccessible places are placed on gray pages. There are green pages in the book. They contain lists of animals that a person managed to save from extinction, for example, elk and beaver.
The ever-changing book
On the verge of extinction are several species of bats, and not only. The Red Book of the Chelyabinsk region is very extensive. The animals that enter it are mammals and birds, reptiles and amphibians, fish, insects and mollusks. Plants and mushrooms also enter it.
Elk and beaver are typical animals of the Chelyabinsk region. But they periodically fall into the Red Book. The data in it changes all the time, firstly, because science does not stand still, and new previously unknown information appears, and the names of some representatives of flora and fauna go from a page of one color to a page of another, for example, in the case of a sharp decrease population, or vice versa.
As noted above, in the region there are three natural zones. It is difficult to imagine how many representatives of the flora are on the slopes of the Southern Urals, if only 377 species of plants are listed in the Red Book of the Chelyabinsk Region, and their number is increased in the new edition, which was published in December 2015.
Unique plants
Pines, aspen and birch grow in the north of the Uy River. The grass-feather grass steppes lie below this river. Here species in need of protection grow, such as lily-saranka and Siberian phlox. Very rare names are found in such rare species as the European trollius and Altai anemone. Such endangered species as the two-leaved love, the needle-like clove, the venus slipper, and hundreds of others can also be noted.
