The districts of the Samara region are famous for many beautiful places where tourists come to enjoy nature every year. But, besides this, one of the long-standing and beautiful nature reserves of Russia is located here. Travelers visit these places in order to wander through the forests located on the banks of the legendary Volga.
The majestic reserves of the Samara region
Samara Luka is a territory that was formed due to the unusually deep bend of the Volga. Since 1984, the authorities decided to preserve the local natural areas, as they are of aesthetic and environmental value. The outer borders of this national park are outlined by river bends. Only in the northern part does the Zhiguli State Reserve adjoin it. It is he who is the oldest in the system of Russian protected areas and is of particular interest. But, besides him, in the Samara region there is still a territory that is protected and has federal significance. This is the National Park "Buzuluksky Bor."
Zhigulevsky reserve
The territory of this reserve can rightfully be considered unique, since nowhere else in the country can such a combination of landscape be found. The mountain range, which consists of the oldest rocks, is surrounded by the bends of the Volga. This is the first reserve of the Samara region, which received its status back in 1927. At this time, a restriction was imposed on the collection of berries and mushrooms, so that rare cultures were preserved. Hunting was also banned here. In addition, since the purpose of creating the reserve was to preserve the unique landscape, any excursions were prohibited. But recently, management has approved the opening of two tourist routes. The first of them runs from s. Ash through Mount Strelna. It is better to overcome this path by road, so as not to get lost. You can come here at any time of the year. Passes are issued in the village of Zolnoye. The second route begins in the village. Shiryaevo, and it’s called “Stone Bowl”. The road is difficult, so many people prefer to travel on foot, because without an all-terrain vehicle you cannot get on it.
Now Zhigulevsky reserve of the Samara region has an area of 23 157 hectares. There are 542 hectares on the island, and the rest of the area falls on the mainland. Researchers in this area disagree about natural areas. Some believe that there are mixed forests in the northern side of the Samara Luka Reserve, and the southern part is a forest-steppe. But other researchers argue that the entire reserve on Samarskaya Luka is a forest-steppe zone.
The climate of the reserve
It is known that the districts of the Samara region have a continental climate. In summer, hot weather prevails here, while winters are very frosty. Such a climate is formed due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Asian continent, which overheats in summer and, on the contrary, overcools in winter. Due to these two factors, the meteorological situation in the reserve area is unstable and subject to weather extremes. For example, frost can alternate with mild weather, and dry heat can suddenly give way to prolonged rainfall.
Flora Nature Reserve
The scenery in these places is really amazing, since almost 94% of the total area is covered with forests. The predominant trees here are small-leaved lindens and aspen trees (this is on the mainland side). But also there are birch, pine and oak forests and many others. As for vegetation, it is very diverse here. In 1984, studies were conducted here that revealed 832 species and 370 plant genera. Recent recounts have recorded 58 species not found. Now 105 species of Asteraceae and 67 species of cereals grow here. Rosaceae, legumes and cruciferous are also common here.
But all the same, relic specimens are of the greatest value, as well as those plants that were first found and described on the territory of this area. Thus, the Samara Region nature reserve includes about a hundred species, which are especially valuable from a scientific point of view. It is worth noting that the Zhigulevsky lamb, the Lessing feather and the Volga fescue were first described here.
Fauna
But what animals can you meet if you visit this place with a guided tour? It is worth noting that the diversity of terrestrial vertebrates is relatively small. In 1984, 213 species were recorded that inhabit or regularly visit the conservation area. Of these, 112 are rare. These include mammals (25 numerous and 15 rare species), birds (70 numerous and 88 rare), amphibians (3 and 5), reptiles (3 and 4). The most common here are insects, of which there are several thousand in the territory. They, unlike vertebrates, have been little studied. In addition, in these waters you can count about 40 species of fish. But the water area, which is protected and belongs to the conservation area, is small.
Mammals Reserve
Of particular interest are the animals of the Zhiguli reserve. Here you can meet the representatives of ungulates. These are moose, although their number is small, and wild boars. The latter are found quite a lot, if we compare the size of the reserve. In search of food, they damage relict vegetation, so the administration decided to regulate their numbers. Among predators, the largest are wolves and a small number of lynxes. Small ones include martens, badgers, foxes. Also in the reserve there are a small number of weasels, forest ferrets and raccoon dogs.
Also, the Zhigulevsky reserve of the Samara region became home to some rodents. These include squirrels that try to settle closer to the villages, and white hares. Also, sometimes you can meet the Cossacks. But one should not be surprised that there is so little wildlife here, since the main goal of creating the reserve was to preserve the unique natural landscapes that are not peculiar to Europe. But what nature reserves are there in the Samara region, which also study relic plants?
Features of Buzuluk Bor
First, it is worth noting that this area is a national park. This island massif with a predominantly pine forest is located on the border of the Orenburg and Samara regions. It was created in 2007, although it is assumed that its pine forest formed about three or even four thousand years ago. At that time, there were many lakes in the forest. But over time, numerous fires, predatory logging, dry years led to the fact that the majority of water bodies dried up, and natural conditions changed.
Today Buzuluk Bor is a huge forest island, having the shape of a triangle. The area of this "wealth" reaches 111, 000 ha. Over 60, 000 ha are sands. In some places, their depth is 90 m. The Borovka River flows in the center of the massif.
Park landscape and flora
On the territory of the boron meadow, marsh and steppe tracts are combined in an unusual way. Deciduous forests are located along the river and almost along the entire border of the park. Also in the pine forest you can meet some sections of birch forests and aspen forests. But the main territory (more than 2/3) is occupied by pine forests. In the forest you can notice unusual contrasts of vegetation. There are ferns growing next to the steppe feather grasses, wormwood and forest bells. But next to these plants you can find lichens, which are usually found in the tundra, for example, deer reindeer.
Also in the coniferous thickets there are such berries as strawberries, strawberries, blackberries, bones, mountain ash, steppe cherries and many others.
