Mushrooms and plants in the Caucasian nature reserve. Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve. Fauna and flora

The entire territory of the reserve is divided into six sections: Western, Northern, Southern, Khostinsky, Eastern and South-Eastern. It is interesting that two natural climatic zones with a temperate and subtropical climate are combined here. This largely determines the uniqueness of the region. The Main Caucasian Range, which stretches for hundreds of kilometers from northwest to southeast, is the heart of the Caucasian Reserve. The maximum height of the mountains in the reserve is 3345 m above sea level. This is the top of Tsakhvoa.

The Main Caucasian Ridge forms the basis of the relief of the Caucasian Reserve and determines the unique originality of the area

There are more than 60 glaciers in the entire reserve, and there are many caves here. There are about 130 of them in the Lagonaki Highlands alone. The karst caves of the Caucasus are an amazing natural architectural structure. These underground spaces are formed by the leaching of soluble rocks and can communicate with each other by long narrow passages or labyrinths.

Rivers and lakes in the reserve make up 1.9% of the total area, they are amazingly beautiful, there are more than 120 of them. The largest lake in area is Silence, the water surface of which is about 200,000 m². No less famous are the lakes Huko, Goluboe, Kardyvach, Inpsi, etc.

The rivers of the Caucasian Reserve are predominantly mountainous, impetuous and fast, with rapids and waterfalls. The most famous are Shahe, Belaya Zakan, Mzymta, Sochi.

general information

• Full name: Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve.
• IUCN category: Ia (strict nature reserve).
• Date of foundation: May 12, 1924.
• Region: Krasnodar Territory, Sochi District.
• Area: 280335 hectares.
• Relief: mountainous.
• Climate: temperate and subtropical.
• Official website: http://www.kgpbz.ru/.
• Email: [email protected]

History of creation

The history of the creation of the Caucasian Reserve is about 200 years old. In 1888, the "Grand Duke Kuban Hunt" was organized. The Grand Dukes Pyotr Nikolaevich and Georgy Mikhailovich took about 80,000 acres of land for lease from the forest dachas of the Ministry of State Property and the Kuban Regional Military Administration. From now on, only princes and their retinue had the right to hunt here.

In 1909, Khachatur (Khristofor) Georgievich Shaposhnikov, a Russian researcher and entomologist, turned to the Academy of Sciences with a scientific substantiation of the need to protect the Kuban expanses, mainly due to a sharp drop in the number of bison. However, he was able to achieve success only 15 years later: on May 12, 1924, the Caucasian Bison Reserve was founded.

Khachatur Shaposhnikov remained its director for 8 years. All this time he worked hard to create unique complex, carefully selected gamekeepers, was engaged in educational activities, wrote scientific works. The tragedy happened suddenly. By a decree of a special troika of the UNKVD of the Krasnodar Territory, Khachatur Shaposhnikov was declared a traitor to his homeland and was shot on January 25, 1938. Only 50 years later, he was posthumously rehabilitated. In 2008, the Caucasian Reserve was named after Christopher Georgievich Shaposhnikov. Since 1999, the Caucasian Reserve has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Vegetable world

The flora of the reserve is represented by more than 3000 species, and half of them are higher vascular plants. Interestingly, every fifth plant is endemic or relict. Trees and shrubs account for 165 species, of which 142 are deciduous, 16 are evergreen and deciduous, and 7 are conifers.

Berry yew (Taxus baccata) is one of the most widespread tree species here, it is found almost everywhere. This tree can live up to 2500 years. A tree is also known that is 4,000 years old and 4 m in diameter. The wood, bark, needles and seeds of this tree are poisonous to humans and some animals. In ancient times, there was a proven method of poisoning an enemy: he was served wine in a carved yew goblet.

Together with boxwood (Buxus), berry yew forms a yew-boxwood grove on the territory of the Caucasian Reserve - a unique monument ancient nature on the eastern slope of Mount Akhun in the Khostinsky district of the city of Sochi. This grove existed 30 million years ago and has been miraculously preserved to this day. Yew-boxwood grove is a separate area of ​​the reserve - Khostinsky.

Here you can find three types of flowers from the genus Rhododendron (Rhododendron) of the heather family. This plant is believed to have the unique ability to heal mercury vapor poisoning.

The Red Book of Russia includes 55 species of flowering plants that are found on the territory of the Caucasian Reserve. However, there are those that, although they did not make it to its pages, are still extremely rare in nature. These are, for example, Elena's buttercup (Ranunculus helenae) and the Circassian wolfberry (Daphne circassica).

The reserve is home to at least 720 species of mushrooms. There are really unusual and amazing mushrooms - representatives of the tropical and subtropical zones. For example, the red trellis (Clathrus ruber) is a unique flower mushroom whose fruiting body resembles a red trellis.

Animal world

The fauna of the Caucasian Reserve numbers 89 species of mammals, 248 - birds, including 112 nesting ones, 15 species of reptiles, 9 - amphibians, 21 - fish, 1 - cyclostomes, more than 100 - mollusks and more than 10,000 - insects. Representatives of the largest animals are bison (Bison bonasus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), Brown bear(Ursus arctos), chamois (Rupicarpa rupicarpa), European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and lynx (Lynx lynx).

Initially, the bison was the main object of protection of the Caucasian Reserve, which, when founded in 1924, was originally named the Caucasian Bison Reserve

Initially, the reserve was created specifically for the purpose of protecting bison, therefore, these animals are treated here with particular trepidation. In the second half of the 20th century, purposeful work was carried out in the reserve to restore the population of this species, since in previous centuries it was almost completely exterminated.

One of the largest representatives of the fauna is the Transcaucasian brown bear (Ursus arcto syriacus). Interestingly, Central Asian brown bears are three times smaller than their Far Eastern counterparts, but they are in no way inferior to them in strength and dexterity.

Keep in mind, if you go on a study trip to the Caucasus, such large animals as bison, bear, deer or badger may not be found. They are wary, attentive and, whenever possible, try to avoid meeting with a person. But you will surely meet several hundred insects. The life of each species is no less interesting than the biology and behavior of vertebrates. There are many representatives of the Red Data Book of Russia among them: these are the oak barbel (Cerambyx cerdo), and the stag beetle (Lucanus cervus), and the Caucasian ground beetle (Carabus caucasicus). Two species of butterflies - the swallowtail (Papilio machoon) and the podaliriy (Iphiclides podalirius) - are found almost everywhere, so you will definitely see them in the summer.

The amazingly beautiful high-mountainous lake Verkhniy Kardyvach is located in the mountains at an altitude of 2470 m above sea level

The Caucasus is inseparably linked with mountains and water bodies. One of the most interesting and mysterious places of the Caucasian Reserve is the Upper Kardyvach Lake, which can only be reached as part of a special tour or by helicopter. It is located at an altitude of 2470 m above sea level and at a distance of 44 km from the famous Krasnaya Polyana. From the calm and calm waters of Lake Kardyvach, which is 470 m lower, the Mzymta River flows out in a barely noticeable stream, which is rapidly gaining strength and very soon rushes down the 15-meter Emerald Waterfall. The Caucasus is an amazing land of contrasts. Glaciers and rugged mountain peaks are combined with a riot of life and fabulous flower meadows. More than 30 species of orchids alone grow here. The amazing orchid Venus's slipper, which is popularly called cuckoo's boots, Mary's slipper, cockerels or Adam's head, also grows in the Caucasus. This flower is widely cultivated. It is believed to have medicinal properties.

Reserve mode

Ecological tourism is allowed. Routes around the reserve have been developed.

How to get there

You can get to Adler by plane or train. The aviary complex of the Caucasian Reserve is located on the Laura cordon of the Southern Department of the Reserve, near the village of Krasnaya Polyana, Adler District, Sochi, 2 km from the federal highway. The complex is open all year round, open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Travel from Adler to Krasnaya Polyana by bus No. 135 from the Adler bus station.

Passes and tickets for the excursion routes of the Caucasian Reserve can be purchased at its administration, at the checkpoints Babuk-Aul, Lagonaki and in the departments of the reserve.

Where to stay

You can stop in the village of Krasnaya Polyana. Accommodation can be provided by locals.

Settlements:

Date of formation: 05/12/1924

Purpose:

Business profile:

Office:

Territory

Number of clusters: 5 clusters

Total area: 280335.00 ha

Area of ​​plots included in the boundaries of protected areas: 280335.00 ha

Contact Information

History and goals of creation

The Caucasian Reserve is the largest mountain-forest reserve in Europe and one of the oldest reserves in Russia. Founded on May 12, 1924, it has a much older conservation history. The actual settling time protection status for this territory should be attributed to 1886 - at the time of the organization of the Grand Duke "Kuban Hunt" in the upper reaches of the Belaya and Laba rivers. It was a 522,000 game reserve with a large staff of gamekeepers. In 1906, the Rada of the Kuban army decided to divide the area rented for princely hunting between 135 villages; the lease term was extended only until 1909. Realizing that with the liquidation of the reserve, the total extermination of the animals living here will begin, the Academy of Sciences raised the question of the need to create a Caucasian reserve. On the whole, this issue was resolved positively by the tsarist government. On the basis of this, the commission of the Academy of Sciences developed the Regulations on the reserve and outlined its boundaries. The Regulations stated that "the Caucasian State Reserve is established for scientific purposes, to preserve for eternity in the primitive inviolability of the local nature with its representatives of the plant and animal kingdoms, especially bison." In exchange for allotment lands, the Kuban Rada were offered state lands. However, the Cossack military elite did not agree to these conditions. The organization of the reserve has stalled.
The question was raised a second time in 1913 by the Environmental Commission of the Russian Geographical Society. The proposed project assumed the alienation for the reserve of the lands of "Tsarskoy Okhota" belonging to the Kuban Rada. However, the Council of Ministers decided that "the protection of rare zoological species does not correspond to the concept of a nationwide useful measure, for the sake of which one can sacrifice the inviolable right of private property in general."
The next attempt to organize a nature reserve in the Caucasus dates back to 1916, when an old project of the Academy of Sciences was extracted from the archives, but it was not crowned with success.
In 1919, a plan was outlined for the creation of 9 state reserves. Among them was the Caucasian.
During the civil war, the populations of wild animals in the Western Caucasus suffered enormous damage. Bison suffered especially. And this could not but cause the alarm of the advanced people of that time. An important role in the organization of the Caucasian reserve belongs to Christopher Georgievich Shaposhnikov, a former forester of the Belorechensky forestry of the Kuban hunting. In October 1917, at a congress of Kuban foresters, Kh. G. Shaposhnikov raised the issue of establishing a reserve. But this attempt was unsuccessful. Seeing the fruitlessness of the official solution of the issue, Shaposhnikov asks the forestry department of the Kuban regional government to lease the hunting grounds of the former grand ducal hunt. The forestry department asked for a huge rent, much higher than what was taken from the grand dukes. But Shaposhnikov did not back down. Having secured financial support from private individuals, overcoming the bureaucratic delays of the forestry department, by the end of 1920 he developed the terms of the contract.
In the first days of the establishment of Soviet power, Shaposhnikov turned to Steinhaus, the representative of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Caucasian Front, and found in him an ardent supporter of his ideas. On April 5, Steingauz telegraphed to VI Lenin and AV Lunacharsky: “In the newly liberated Kuban region, within the Maikop and Labinsky departments, in the upper reaches of the Belaya and Malaya Laba rivers, there are forest dachas with an area equal to 322,200 dessiatines. .. These forest dachas with their flora resemble Elston [Yellowstone] Park in America. There is no such vegetation in any part of the Caucasus. There are yew trees with an age of one thousand years. The terrain is mountainous, impassable and absolutely deserted, there are snowy peaks and meadows, coniferous forest, partly deciduous, alpine and subalpine vegetation. Due to the high cost of the skin of the bison, the latter are exterminated by the population, and there are now about a hundred bison. In order to preserve the aforementioned forest and flora, as well as bison, [which] are absolutely gone in Europe and on which all the eyes of natural scientists in Europe are now turned, [I am waiting] for your orders on the organization of a state reserve in the aforementioned area. " Soon the Revolutionary Military Council issued a mandate to Kh. G. Shaposhnikov with the task of organizing the reserve and the "Security Letter" for his library and the richest entomological collections.
In December 1920, the Kuban-Chernomorsky Revolutionary Committee adopted a resolution on the creation of the Kuban high-mountain reserve with an area of ​​300,000 hectares within the boundaries outlined by the Academy of Sciences before the revolution.
However, the draft decree on the Kuban Nature Reserve was rejected due to departmental discrepancies. In November 1923, the Kuban-Black Sea Regional Executive Committee adopted a temporary decree on the boundaries of the Kuban High-Mountain Reserve with an area of ​​250,000 dessiatines. Officially, the reserve was subordinated to the bodies of the People's Commissariat for Education of the RSFSR.
In May 1924, a decree was signed: in order to “... preserve the state Caucasian bison reserve in the mountains of the Western Caucasus in an inviolable form in the mountains of the Western Caucasus with rare animals and plants inhabiting it. Nick...". Kh. G. Shaposhnikov objected to the word "bison" in the name of the reserve, believing that this would lead to the rapid extermination of bison by bandits, poachers and other persons for whom the reserve is not beneficial.
Throughout its history, the reserve has changed its departmental subordination 9 times. Since 1966, its owner was the Main Directorate for Nature Protection of the Ministry Agriculture USSR (later the department for nature protection, reserves, forestry and hunting farms of the USSR Gosagroprom), then the reserve was under the jurisdiction of the USSR Goskompriroda.
In the early years of the reserve's existence, conflicts arose around its borders. Already in 1924-1925. The All-Russian Central Executive Committee received applications from land users surrounding the reserve to allocate a part of the protected area to them. At the end of July 1925, a commission of the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR was created under the leadership of a member of the Central Control Commission, N.I. Podvoisky. The preparatory work was carried out by a complex expedition of prof. MV Krylova, who in the summer of 1926 surveyed the territory of the reserve. The expedition included a number of prominent scientists and specialists: prof. S. S. Turov (zoologist), prof. N.A.Troitsky (meadow scientist), prof. A. L. Grigor (geographer), A. K. Uglitskikh (forester), V. N. Robinson (geologist). Based on the results of the commission's work, in July 1927, a resolution of the Council of People's Commissars was adopted, which confirmed the boundaries established by the decree on the creation of the reserve, with minor changes. The decree ordered the allocation of an absolute and a protective zone on the territory. Unfortunately, in the future, these boundaries have been changed more than once. In 1930 the Khostinskaya yew-boxwood grove was transferred to the reserve - a unique area of ​​the relict forest on the Black Sea coast.
In February 1933, the Presidium of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee again considered the question of the boundaries of the reserve and its main tasks. The total area of ​​the reserve is estimated at 337,000 hectares. In 1936, the high-mountainous Lagonaki massif was transferred to the Azov-Black Sea Territory, and the Beskessky section - to the Karachay-Cherkess Autonomous Region. The area of ​​the reserve was reduced to 297,200 hectares. The reserve suffered the greatest damage in 1951. As a result, most of the high-altitude meadows were given over to cattle grazing, and an ax rattled in the virgin forests. The territory of the reserve was reduced to 108 120 hectares. From 1924 to the present, the borders have changed 12 times.

Role in nature conservation

Caucasian Reserve is a nature conservation, research, ecological and educational institution federal significance, with the aim of preserving and studying the natural course of natural processes and phenomena, the genetic fund of flora and fauna, typical and unique geological formations and ecological systems of the Western Caucasus.

Role in recreational activities

The very fact of the existence of the Caucasian Reserve contributes to the normal functioning of the largest and best national resort - Sochi. The forests of the reserve are the lungs of the resort, giving healing mountain air, and the clean mountain rivers, the sources of which are located in the protected area, are the basis of water supply not only to Sochi, but also to many settlements of the Krasnodar Territory, the Republic of Adygea and the Karachay-Cherkess Republic.

Managment structure

Since 1924, since the formation of the Caucasian Reserve, its administration was located in the village of Guzeripl, Maikop district (now the Republic of Adygea). In the 30s. a building was erected for the work of the management staff in the city of Maikop.

In 1970, the management of the Caucasian Reserve was transferred to Khosta, and in 1992 - to Adler at the address: Adler, st. K. Marx, 8, in a restored building, which is a monument of history and culture (built at the beginning of the century).

International status

Information on the international status of the Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve

The Caucasian Reserve is the main part, the core, of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site (nomination " Western Caucasus") (UNESCO World Natural Heritage Certificate dated December 4, 1999)
On November 30, 1999, the nomination "Western Caucasus" was accepted at the XXIII Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Marrakesh (Morocco), becoming the fifth site in Russia to be awarded this status.
The nomination unites the territory of the Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve, natural park"Bolshoi Tkhach", natural monuments "Buiny Ridge", "Upper reaches of the Pshekha and Pshekhashkha rivers" and "Upper reaches of the Tsitsa River", reaching a total area of ​​301,068 hectares, of which 103,267 hectares are located on the territory of the Republic of Adygea.
The inclusion of a number of protected areas of the Western Caucasus in the World Natural Heritage List is a recognition of the uniqueness of the natural complexes of this region.
The work on nominating the Caucasian Reserve was carried out by scientists of the Caucasian Reserve, activists of the German Nature Conservation Society (NABU), employees of the Maikop State Institute of Technology with the active support of Greenpeace Russia (the headquarters of scientists worked for 3 years).
According to the definition given in Article 2 of the World Heritage Convention, natural heritage includes the following properties:
natural monuments consisting of physical and biological formations, or groups of such formations, which are part of an outstanding world heritage from an aesthetic or scientific point of view;
geological and physiographic formations and clearly marked zones that make up the range of endangered species of animals and plants, which represent an outstanding world heritage in terms of science or the preservation of natural features;
natural landmarks or clearly marked natural sites that are part of an outstanding world heritage in terms of science, conservation of natural features or natural beauty.
The basis for the inclusion of such territories in the World Natural Heritage List is its compliance with one or more of the following criteria, as well as certain conditions of integrity, formulated in the text of the Convention.
The nomination "Western Caucasus" fully meets all four criteria, namely:
Presents illustrative example reflections of the main stages in the history of the Earth, including traces of ancient life, serious geological processes that continue to occur in the development of forms of the earth's surface, significant geomorphological or physiographic features of the relief.
All important geological periods of folding of the Caucasus are represented on the territory of the nomination. The only Triassic anticline in its form in the area between the Bolshaya Laba and Belaya rivers, in terms of its severity, it has no equal in the Caucasus. A unique geomorphological formation - the Abadzekh gorge in the upper reaches of the Tsitsa River, is a natural vertical section, reaching 1 km depth and 10 km length, it characterizes the location of the main geological levels of the Caucasus. The varied relief of the Western Caucasus reflects the movement of the ancient glacier. So, trough valleys, moraines, mountain bogs and lakes are widespread here. Another feature is the rich representation of all karst occurrences of limestone massifs in the northern part of the TVPN. The rich representation of rock outcrops of different ages and composition: from ancient Precambrian and Lower Paleozoic strata to Jurassic, Cretaceous and Paleogene deposits, is also of great paleontological significance.
Provides a clear example of important and long-term environmental and biological processes occurring in the evolution and development of terrestrial, river, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals.
All the diversity of the ecosystems of the Western Caucasus, forming a single natural-territorial complex, has been preserved in their pristine state. Thus, the processes of evolution and speciation occurring here are of great scientific importance not only as an exemplary path of natural development, but also for the regeneration and preservation of similar ecosystems in Eurasia.
The historical development of the Earth, the diversity and peculiarities of physical and geographical conditions, a kind of complex of environmental factors have formed a unique diversity of species with a rich representation of relics (primarily of the Tertiary time), regional and local endemics. The Caucasus is a unique center of speciation, which has no equal in Europe and Western Asia. The reason for this is, among other things, the intersection of several biogeographic regions in the Caucasus.
There are several local centers of evolutionary genetic morphogenesis and speciation on the territory of the nomination, for example: Fisht-Oshten mountain knot, the massif of Bolshoi Tkhach mountain. High genetic differentiation of many species widespread here, located on the border of their distribution or far from their main range, as well as populations of isolated biomes, have significant evolutionary potential.
Includes unique natural phenomena or an area of ​​exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic value.
Includes natural areas of great importance and significance in terms of the conservation of biological diversity, including areas of endangered species, which are an outstanding world heritage in terms of science and nature conservation.
The nomination "Western Caucasus" is an integral nature conservation area that has never been exposed to significant human impact. It is unmatched in size not only in the Caucasus, but also among the mountainous regions of Europe and Western Asia; contains living spaces necessary for the preservation of many endangered, rare, endemic and relict species of plants and animals, is a natural and unmodified habitat of the most vulnerable large mammals - mountain bison, Caucasian noble deer, West Caucasian tur, Caucasian brown bear, etc.
Protection and restoration of the number of mountain bison living freely in nature can be presented as one of the important tasks of the nomination. Although the aboriginal Caucasian bison were exterminated in the 1920s, after 50 years of selective hybridization and the action of natural selection, today we can talk about a successful example of the restoration of animals that occupied an empty ecological niche.
In connection with the importance of the Caucasian nature reserve on a planetary scale, the reserve business should develop here at the proper level - the protection of the territory, Scientific research and ensuring support for the activities of the reserve team by all segments of the population.

Description

Being the largest protected area of ​​the Caucasian Isthmus and the second largest in Europe, the reserve occupies the lands of the Krasnodar Territory, the Republic of Adygea and the Karachay-Cherkess Republic of the Russian Federation, close to the state border with Abkhazia. Separated from the main territory, in the Khostinsky district of Sochi, there is the subtropical Khostinsky department of the reserve - the world famous yew-boxwood grove, with an area of ​​302 hectares. The total area of ​​the reserve is 280 335 hectares. It is surrounded by a protected area, numerous wildlife sanctuaries and natural monuments, and Sochi is adjacent to its southern border. national park.

The territory of the reserve is conditionally divided into 6 protection departments: Western, Northern, Southern, Khostinsky, Eastern and South-Eastern. The management of the reserve is located in Sochi (Adler), and in the capital of the Republic of Adygea - Maikop, there is the Adyghe scientific department of the reserve. The reserve employs more than 100 people, structurally included in the scientific, security and environmental education departments.

The Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve is located on the northern and southern slopes of the Western Caucasus at coordinates 44 - 44.5 ° north latitude and 40 - 41 ° east longitude.

The territory of the Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve is a group of mountain and alpine ecosystems (absolute elevation above sea level from 640 m to 3346 m) of the Western Caucasus, limited to 36 degrees. 45 minutes - 40 degrees. 50 minutes sowing. NS. and 43 degrees. 30 minutes. - 44 degrees. 05 minutes east d. from Greenwich.

1. MAIN TREATMENT (280,034 ha)

Starting point : the mouth of the Zhelobnaya river in the village of Guzeripl. From this point up the Belaya River, along its root left bank, to the mouth of the Armyanka River. Further, up the Armenian River to the confluence of the Mutny Teplyak (Guzeripl) River (elevation 780). From here to the south, up the slope of the Kalancha ridge to its ridge, then along the ridge ridge in the southwest direction through marks 1284, 1475, 1798, and, crossing the sources of the Svetly Teplyak River, to the northeastern slope of the Armenian ridge to the upper border of the forest.

Further, traverse the slope of the Armenian ridge in the north-western direction to the Armenian pass (1866). From the pass along the upper border of the forest to the northeast, bending around Mount Guzeripl (2158) and turning to the northwest through the Uzurub pass (Instructorskaya Shchel), then, turning to the northeast and crossing the headwaters of the Armenian River, along the foot of the rocky cliff on the ridge The Stone Sea and the Nagoya-Koshi Mountains (2090) to the Azishsky Pass. From the pass along the border of the Republic of Adygea and Krasnodar Territory (Apsheronsky District) to the Lagonak Range, then along the ridge to Mount Bukva (1706), and, in the same direction, along the border of the Republic of Adygea and Krasnodar Territory, to its intersection with the upper border of the forest on the northwestern slope of Razrytaya Mountain (1514). From here, turning sharply to the southeast, along the upper border of the forest by the traverse of the southern slope of the Lagonak ridge, skirting the mountains Zhitnaya (1985), Matazyk (1957), Mezmay (1939), crossing the sources of the Glubokaya gully with a turn to the southwest, skirting the mountain slopes Uriel (2166) and, further, up the valley of the Tsice river. Before reaching the source of the Tsitsa River, 1.5 km, turn to the north-west, to the eastern slope of the Nagoy-Chuk ridge. Traverse the slope of the ridge along the upper border of the forest and down the valley of the Tsice River, rounding the slope of height 2093 and turning in the western direction, along the upper border of the forest, until the intersection with the border of the Republic of Adygea and Krasnodar Territory (Apsheron District).

Further, along the border to the southeast through the height of 1828 to the western slope of Mount Messo (2066) until the intersection with the upper border of the forest. Further, in the southeast direction along the upper border of the forest, traverse the slopes of the Tuba (2062) and Pshekha-Su (2743) mountains, crossing the headwaters of the Pshekha river (Vodopadny stream) and skirting the western and southwestern slopes of the Fisht mountain (2853) to the Cherkessky pass (1838) before crossing the border of the Republic of Adygea and the Krasnodar Territory (Apsheron District). Further, along the border in the southwestern direction to Mount Mavrikoshka (1953), then, turning west, along the border along the Main Ridge through Mount Huko (1900) to an altitude of 1842.8, from where to the northwest along the ridge across Lake Huko to the edge of the forest. Further, along the instrumental path along the southern slope of the ridge to a height of 1531.6. From this height in the western direction along the instrumental path along the northern slope of the ridge to the Bezymyannaya rock. From the Bezymyannaya rock along the ridge through the height of 1324.8 to the path going to the height of 1854.6 (Autl). From Mount Outl in the southeastern direction along the ridge (border of the Lazarevsky forestry enterprise) through an altitude of 1499.9 to an altitude of 1045, from where along the spur of the Bezymyanny ridge to the east to the mouth of the Azu river. From the mouth of the Azu River in the southwest direction along the right bank of the Shakhe (Golovinka) River to the confluence of the Belaya River and to its sources on the Bzych ridge. Further, to the south-west along the Bzych ridge through an altitude of 1503.4 (Bzich) to an altitude of 1306.3. From the height of 1306.3 to the southeast along the Bezymyanny ridge to the mouth of the Krivoy Brook at the place of its confluence with the Bzych River. From the mouth of the Krivoy Brook to the southeast along the ridge through the Grushovy aul tract, as well as heights of 1302.2 and 1583.9 to an altitude of 1917.9 (Amuko city), then along the Amuko ridge through a height of 1569 to an altitude of 1819. From the altitude 1819 along the ridge in a southern direction to Mount Skalnaya and along the Ushkha ridge through heights of 1506 and 1069, the mouth of the Gruzinka River, crossing the Sochi River, to a height of 1288.

Further, along the ridge through the height of 1633 to Mount Iegosh (1790) and along the ridge of Yehosh through the heights of 1553, 1751, 1764, 1663, the source of the Chernaya River and, further, along the Chernaya River to the confluence with the Chvizhepse River. Further, up the Chvizhepse River to its exit to the edge of the forest at the foot of Mount Zelenaya and along the edge of the forest in a southeastern direction, crossing the Achipse River, the border reaches a height of 1865.From a height of 1865 along the ridge to a height of 1862 and, crossing the fifth (from the source) right-bank tributary of Achipse, the border reaches an unnamed height in the upper reaches of the sixth right-bank tributary of the Achipse River, then, along the ridge in the southeast direction, the border goes to the Laura River and up the Laura River to its second left-bank tributary, then along the tributary until it reaches the edge of the forest and further to south along the edge of the forest to the path entering the Medvezhye Vorota tract, from here to the south along the edge of the forest to the third (from the mouth) right-bank tributary of the Pslukh River, then down the tributary to its confluence with the Pslukh River. Further, up the left bank of the Pslu River x to the confluence of the Pslushonok River and up the Pslushonok River to the Aishkho Pass. From the Aishkho pass, the border goes in a southeastern direction along the boundaries of the contours of the Sochi all-republican state natural reserve, crossing the eastern and southern slopes of the Rocky Range, the slopes of Mount Aishkho and reaches a height of 2822, then, crossing the ridges, through Mount Loyub-Tsukhe reaches an altitude of 2747 , then, to a height of 2949 and along the eastern and southern slopes of the Rocky Ridge to a height of 2848, then, through Mount Loyub along the southeastern slopes of the mountain, the border descends to the northern tributary of Lake Kardyvach along the right bank of the Mzymta River, then downstream to the spur of the ridge Turin between the fifth and sixth (from the source) left-bank tributaries of the Mzymta River in the area of ​​Engelmanova Polyana, then, along the spur of the ridge to a height of 2963 on the Gagrinsky ridge (crossing with the state border Russian Federation From a height of 2963 in the southeastern direction along the state border to the source of the Damkhurts River and down the right bank of the Damkhurts River to the confluence of the ninth left-bank tributary at elevation 1367 and up the tributary until it reaches the edge of the forest. the edge of the forest to the source of the second (from the mouth) right-bank tributary of the Imeretinka River and crossing the Imeretinka River along the second (from the mouth) left-bank tributary of the Imeretinka River to a height of 2253. From a height of 2253 to the source of the fifth (from the mouth) right-bank unnamed tributary of the Zakan River and along the tributary of the river Zakan, crossing the river, along the left bank of the Zakan river to the confluence of the first (from the source) left-bank unnamed tributary into it.

Further, up the tributary to a height of 2818, from a height of 2818 through heights of 2671 and 2637 to the Umpyrsky pass, from the Umpyrsky pass through a height of 2827 along the spur of the Magisho ridge to the Magisho ridge, along the Magisho ridge to a height of 2749 and along the Sergeev Gai ridge through the Sergeev Gai mountain to a height of 2031. From a height of 2031 along the ridge at the mouth of the Sukhoi gully. Further, along the right bank of the Malaya Laba River to the confluence of the Urushten (Chernaya) River into it, bypassing the Chernorechye cordon from the north and west. Along the left bank of the Urushten River until the confluence of the Dodogach River (Bolshaya Dead Balka River) into it, then up the first right tributary of the Dodogach River to the trail, along the trail to the saddle between Mount Acheshbok and Mount Dzyuvya and to Mount Achishbok. Further, crossing the Afonka River, along the ridge to an altitude of 2036, then, along the ridge to the tributary of the Kishi River, then up the tributary to Mount Slesarnaya. From Mount Slesarnaya along the Boulevard ridge through the height of 1507, along the northern border of the clearing near the Zubrovy Park, with access to the Zhitninskaya gully (2 km from the Kish cordon). Further, along the border of the Guzeripl LPH along the Dudugush ridge through the height of 1587.2, then , bypassing the Marenkina and Ternovaya glades from the west, to the Kishi river. Further, along the right bank downstream to the mouths of Kishi and Belaya. Having passed to the left bank of the Belaya River, the border goes upstream, bypassing the Lagerny estate section of the cordon from the west; along the foot of the slope of the Skazhenny ridge and Mount Kazach (1428) to the starting point: the mouth of the Zhelobnaya river in the village of Guzeripl.

2. TISO-SAMSHITOVAYA GROVE (301 ha)

The territory of the tisosamshite grove (Khostinsky inspection department) is a site (cluster) isolated from the main territory within the city of Sochi and includes the following quarters: 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35.

3. SECURITY ZONE

Along the perimeter of the reserve along the territory of the Krasnodar Territory, there is a kilometer protected zone, on which a special protection regime operates.

Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve named after Kh.G. Shaposhnikova- one of the largest mountain-forest reserves in Europe, the oldest state-protected reserve in the North Caucasus.

This is an environmental, research, environmental and educational institution of federal significance.

Where is

Located within three constituent entities of the Russian Federation: Krasnodar Territory, the Republic of Adygea and the Karachay-Cherkess Republic.

History of creation

It was actually founded on May 12, 1924, but it all started in 1886. Then the hunting reserve "Kubanskaya Okhota" was organized in the upper reaches of the Belaya and Laba rivers. In 1906, the fauna of the "Kuban Hunt" was in danger of extermination - the Rada of the Kuban army demanded to divide the territory of the reserve into 135 plots for their villages, whose owners would quickly destroy the animals that lived there.

But the Academy of Sciences raised the issue of the need to create a Caucasian reserve in order to preserve the natural heritage of the Caucasus and received the approval of the authorities. The Commission of the Academy of Sciences outlined the approximate boundaries of the reserve and wrote the Regulation of the Caucasian State Reserve.

The Kuban Rada was not satisfied with this state of affairs, despite the fact that instead of 135 villages it was offered state land. Only in 1913, the Environmental Commission of the Russian Geographical Society proposed a project to alienate the Tsarskoy Okhota lands belonging to the Kuban Rada for the reserve. And this time the attempt to organize a nature reserve failed. It also failed to convince the Council of Ministers in 1916. However, in 1919, a plan was outlined for the creation of nine state reserves, including the Caucasian one.

An important role in the organization of the reserve is played by Khristofor Georgievich Shaposhnikov, a former forester of the Belorechensky forestry of the Kuban Okhota. Convinced that official requests would not be able to establish the reserve, he rented the hunting grounds of the former grand ducal hunt, without giving up the huge amount of money that the Forestry Department demanded for this.

Only with the establishment of Soviet power did Shaposhnikov manage to achieve his goal: in December 1920, the Kuban-Black Sea Revolutionary Committee adopted a resolution on the creation of the Kuban high-mountain reserve, the territory of which totaled 300,000 hectares. And in May 1924 a decree was signed in order to preserve "for scientific research, cultural and educational tasks in an inviolable form in the mountains of the Western Caucasus mountain forests and the alpine strip with rare animals and plants inhabiting it."

Flora

The biodiversity of the Caucasian Reserve has no analogues in Russia, every fifth plant is endemic or relict.

Forests occupy 62% of the territory: they are mainly evergreen and ancient plants. Such as Colchis boxwood, Colchis holly, Colchis leptopus, Carian figs, etc.

Alpine meadows are developed in the highlands (there are no trees and bushes).

There are 900 species of vascular plants, more than 720 species of fungi. 165 species of trees and shrubs, 142 - deciduous, 16 - evergreen deciduous, 7 - coniferous.

Fauna

89 species of mammals, 248 species of birds, 15 species of reptiles, 9 - amphibians, 21 - fish live on the territory of the Caucasian Reserve.

Many of these species are in need of emergency conservation, such as the bison. When, during the establishment of the Caucasian Reserve, they wanted to attribute the word "Zubrovy" to its name, Kh.G. Shaposhnikov categorically rejected this idea. He believed that this would attract poachers and only contribute to the mass destruction of bison, which already at that time were on the verge of extinction.

The reserve is also home to such rare species as: brown bear, chamois, red deer, lynx, roe deer and wild boar.

Among birds, representatives of falconiformes and passerines predominate, and large migratory routes of birds also pass over the reserve.

Climate

Located on the border of the temperate and subtropical climatic zones... In the low mountains, the climate is warm and humid, in winter there is a positive temperature (on average 4 degrees), in summer it is very warm (20-21 degrees). But with every hundred meters up the mountain, the temperature drops by about 0.5 degrees.

Peculiarities

Included in the list of UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites. The second largest mountain forest reserve in Europe.

More than 120 small lakes are scattered across the mountain landscape, which makes the area especially picturesque.

Only 2% of the reserve is water bodies - rivers, lakes, mountain springs.

Berry yew grows in the reserve - an ancient coniferous tree that can live up to 2-2.5 thousand years.

In the forests of the reserve, there are lianas (plants characteristic of tropical forests).

The Caucasian Biosphere Reserve is a natural state protected area located in the Krasnodar Territory, Adygea and Karachay-Cherkessia. The area of ​​the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve is about 300 hectares and is the largest and oldest protected area in the Caucasus. In addition, in the European part of the mainland, it is the largest mountain forest reserve.

The Caucasian Reserve was formed on May 12, 1924 on the site of a former hunting reserve and was originally called the "Caucasian Bison Reserve", since the main purpose of its creation was to preserve the number of bison inhabiting the Caucasus mountains. The modern name appeared relatively recently - in 2007, in honor of the scientist and the first director of the Zubrovy Reserve. It received the status of a biosphere reserve in February 1979, and in 1999 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Entrance fees to the Caucasian Reserve

The payment for staying on the territory of the reserve is charged on a daily basis (checkout time - 00:00):

• for an adult - 300 rubles,
• for a child aged 7 to 14 years - 100 rubles,
• children under 7 years old - free.

You can issue a visit permit and pay for admission in the central estate in Sochi, as well as in the Office of the Vostochny uchastkovoye forestry (Psebay), the Karapyr cordon (Damkhurts), the checkpoint of the Guzeripl cordon, the Lagonaki checkpoint, the Laura cordon (Esto-Sadok), the office of the Zapadnoye uchastkovoye forestry (Dagomys). Addresses are on the official website.

Aviary complex at the cordon Laura:

• adult - 300 rubles,
• children (from 7 to 14 years old) - 150 rubles,

Aviary complex at the Guzeripl cordon (with a visit to the museum and dolmen):

• adult - 300 rubles,
• children (from 7 to 14 years old) - 200 rubles,
• children under 7 years old - free.

Other paid services:

• excursion for a group of 1 to 6 people. - 600 rubles. per group,
• excursion for a group of 7 to 27 people - 100 rubles. for 1 person

Yew-boxwood grove:

• adult entrance ticket - 300 rubles,
• children (from 7 to 14 years old) - 150 rubles,
• children under 7 years old - free.

• disabled people and participants of the Second World War and hostilities,
• participants in the liquidation of the Chernobyl accident,
• disabled people of groups I and II,
• large families,
• conscripts.

Working hours

Yew-boxwood grove:

• in summer (from March 15 to October 31) - from 09.00 to 18.00,
• in winter (from November 1 to March 14) - from 09.00 to 17.00.

Mountains, rivers and lakes

The Caucasian Reserve is, first of all, a mountainous territory with the western part of the Main Caucasian Ridge passing through it from Mount Fisht (2868 m) and the lateral ridge adjacent to it. The most majestic mountains of the main ridge are Chugush (3238 m), Urushten (3020 m), North Pseashkha (3257 m), Tsakhvoa (3345 m). And on the side ridge, Tybga (3065 m), Chelipsi (3097 m) and Damkhurts (3193 m) stand out.

The largest rivers on the northern side of the ridge are Belaya, Malaya Laba, Bolshaya Laba, and on the southern side, they are Mzymta, Shakhe, Sochi, Khosta and Psou, whose waters flow towards the Black Sea.

There are more than 120 large and small lakes in the Caucasian Reserve, a feature of which is their high-mountainous location. The largest of them is the Big Imeretinskoe or Lake of Silence with an area of ​​about 200 square meters at an altitude of 2530 meters above sea level. They call him silent for a reason, because there is an amazing silence around, not interrupted by the sonorous noise of the rivers. The largest dam is Lake Kardyvach, from which the Mzymta River originates.

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Fauna and flora

On the slopes big mountains, in subalpine meadows and green valleys, on rocky slopes and in broad-leaved, beech-fir forests, among the evergreen shrubs and flowers of the Caucasus, a huge number of animals live. The number of species living in the Caucasian nature reserve exceeds 15,000. There are 248 species of birds alone, and 89 species of mammals. Other classes of the animal world of the earth are represented - reptiles, amphibians, insects, molluscs, as well as 33 species of fish.

The symbol of the reserve is the mighty bison, for the sake of which the reserve was created. Currently, over 1000 bison live on the slopes of the mountains.

The flora of the Western Caucasus is rich in more than 2,200 plant species. More than 900 species grow in the forests, of which 165 are trees and shrubs. There are 195 species of relict plants. In some areas there are truly unique plants - millennial yews, alpine flowers, huge ferns.

One of the most visited places of the reserve is the Yew-boxwood grove, which is located separately in the territory of the city of Sochi. The relic forest of 300 hectares includes more than 400 species of unique plants, including the remnants of preglacial forests, miraculously preserved in the only place on Earth.

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Visiting rules

The basic rules of visiting, which should be treated with special attention, so as not to overshadow the joy of being in a unique place:

• entrance to the protected protected area is possible only with a pass, which can be issued at the official representative offices,
• go only on pre-agreed routes,
• do not cut trees, do not pick flowers, do not pick mushrooms and berries,
• do not litter or write on the rocks,
• do not burn fires,
• do not fish or hunt,
• do not frighten animals,
• arrange parking only in specially equipped places.

Tourism

Fans of outdoor activities can get to know the nature of the reserve more closely by going through special equipped routes as part of an organized tourist group with a guide or independently (from 3 people). Their total length is about 450 kilometers along mountain paths, rocks and valleys, and each of them is from 6 to 72 kilometers. All routes have a marked trail, equipped parking facilities. Passage of routes is calculated from 1 to 6 days. The most popular natural attractions that will meet on these small trips are the Fisht, Oshten and Pshekho-Su mountains, the Huko and Kardyvach lakes, the Aishkha pass, the Pseashkho massif and the Achishkho ridge, the Engelman glades.

For living in a natural protected area, there are various options for accommodation, from humble tourist lodges to comfortable guesthouses.

Another option for immersion in the nature of the Caucasian reserve is volunteering... For all possible help in putting things in order, landscaping and other work, a unique opportunity will be given to spend a certain amount of time on the reserved land, to feel needed and useful, to meet other people who are not indifferent to nature.

Additional services

In the vicinity of the village of Krasnaya Polyana, a large eco-complex "Laura" where the following services are available:

• guest houses,
• open-air cage complex of wild animals,
• organization of excursions,
• a visitor center with a souvenir shop,
• rope park,
• a cafe,
• bath.

V aviary complex contains animals for which the possibility of living in natural conditions is excluded for various reasons. Among which:

• birds - falcons, black vulture, owls, mute swan, eagle, mallard, goose, etc.,
• predators - lynx, wolf, jackal, fox, raccoon dog, wild forest cat, badger, raccoon raccoon,
• ungulates - deer, tur, roe deer, chamois, wild boar and, of course, bison.

On cordon Guzeripl there is also a small aviary complex, a nature museum and a rope park with routes of varying degrees of difficulty, from children to the most extreme.

 

Coordinates: N43 50.352 E40 23.784.

The Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve is located on the southern and northern slopes of the Western Caucasus. This territory was declared a protected area on May 12, 1924, but the experience of conservation unique nature the roots of these places go back to the Grand Duke "Kuban Hunt", organized in 1888.

The Caucasian Natural Biosphere Reserve is the second largest in Europe, it occupies the lands of the Republic of Adygea, Krasnodar Territory and Karachay-Cherkessia, adjacent to the border of the Republic of Abkhazia. Separately from the main territory of the state Caucasian reserve in the Khostinsky district of the resort city of Sochi, there is the Khostinsky subtropical department of the reserve - a yew-boxwood grove, known all over the world. The area of ​​the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve is 280-320 hectares. The territory of the reserve is surrounded by a protected zone, natural monuments and reserves; the national park of the city of Sochi adjoins the southern border of the reserve.

Conventionally, the territory of the Caucasian Nature Reserve is divided into six protection departments: North, West, East, South, South-East and Khostinsky.

The history of the creation of the Caucasian reserve

As mentioned above, the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve was founded on May 12, 1924, however, the time of establishment of a protected status on this territory dates back to 1886, i.e. to the days when the "Kuban Hunt" was here.

In 1906, in accordance with the decree of the Rada of the Kuban army, the area leased for the grand ducal hunting was divided between 135 villages, and the lease term was extended until 1909. The Academy of Sciences, realizing that after the liquidation of the reserve, mass extermination of animals would begin, raised the issue of creating a state Caucasian reserve. The issue was resolved positively, and the Academy of Sciences developed the "Regulations on the reserve" and approximately outlined its boundaries. State lands were offered to the Kuban Rada instead of allotments. But the Cossack elite was not happy with this decision, and the creation of the reserve was frozen.

The issue of the biosphere reserve was raised again in 1913 by the Environmental Commission of the Russian Geographical Society. The project, proposed by the Environmental Commission of the Russian Geographical Society, proposed to be withdrawn under nature reserve lands of "Tsarskoy Okhota", which belonged to the Kuban Rada. But this time too, the reserve was not created, since the Council of Ministers did not see this as a “useful measure”.

In 1916, a third attempt was made to organize a nature reserve. However, this attempt was not crowned with success.

Already after the revolution, in 1919, a plan was outlined for the creation of nine state reserves, including the Caucasian natural one.

Civil War caused enormous damage to the population of wild animals in the Western Caucasus, which could not but alarm scientists. A great contribution to the organization of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve was made by the former forester of the Kuban hunting - Christopher Georgievich Shaposhnikov. Realizing that an official decision on the issue of the reserve would not be taken soon, Shaposhnikov, back in 1917, asked the forestry department of the Kuban regional government to lease the hunting grounds of the grand ducal hunt. They asked for a rent from Shaposhnikov that was several times higher than the grand dukes paid, but the forester did not give up.

Shaposhnikov found funds and by the end of 1920 the forestry department had developed the terms of the contract.

After the establishment of Soviet power, Christopher Shaposhnikov turned to the representative of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Caucasian Front, Steinhaus, and found in him a supporter of his plans. Soon, Christopher Shaposhnikov received a mandate with the task of organizing the reserve. In December 1920, the Kuban-Black Sea Revolutionary Committee adopted a resolution on the creation in the Caucasus of the "Kuban high-mountain reserve" within the boundaries outlined by the Academy of Sciences before the revolution. But due to interdepartmental discrepancies, the project of the Kuban reserve was rejected. Only in November 1923 was the issue of the boundaries of the state Caucasian reserve, which was officially subordinate to the organs of the People's Commissariat of Education of the RSFSR, resolved. And in May 1924, a decree was signed on the creation of the Caucasian Bison Reserve. Shaposhnikov opposed such a name, believing that the mention of "bison" in the name would lead to the destruction of the bison population by poachers and bandits for whom the reserve was not beneficial.

In the first years after its formation, disputes arose about the boundaries of the biosphere reserve. By the end of 1925, a commission of the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR was created under the leadership of N.I. Podvoisky. In July 1927, the commission, based on the results of its work, submitted a report to the Council of People's Commissars, the Council of People's Commissars, in turn, adopted a resolution that confirmed the boundaries established by the May 1924 decree. But, despite these decisions, in the future, the boundaries of the reserve were repeatedly changed. In 1930, the territory of the Khosta yew-boxwood grove was annexed to the nature reserve. In 1936, the high-mountainous Lago-Naki massif was transferred to the Azov-Black Sea region, and the Beskessky area was "presented" to the Karachay-Cherkess region. In 1951, a significant part of the mountain meadows was allotted for grazing, and virgin forests began to cut down.

In 1979, the Caucasian State Nature Reserve received the status of a biosphere and replenished the International Network of Biosphere Reserves. In December 1999, the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The flora of the nature reserve

The flora of the Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve has more than 3000 species, half of which are vascular plants. The forest flora is represented by more than 900 species, some of which can be found in the mountain-meadow belt. There are 165 species of trees and shrubs in the reserve, of which 16 are evergreen, 7 are conifers and 142 are deciduous.

The uniqueness of the flora of the reserve are ancient species and representatives that have a limited distribution not only in the Caucasus, but also in the world. Every fifth plant in the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve is a relic (so to speak, a living witness of past geological eras) or endemic (i.e., has a limited distribution).

V state reserve more than 30 species of orchids, 40 species of ferns grow, there are winter-green and evergreen plants, many ornamental plants.

Throughout the territory of the Caucasian Natural Biosphere Reserve, there are groups (or single trees) of berry yew. Berry yew is an eternally green, coniferous plant that can live up to 2, or even 2.5 thousand years - such patriarchs can be found in the Khosta yew-boxwood grove. Here, in the Khosta section of the reserve, there are Colchis holly and Carian figs, Colchis boxwood and Colchis leptopeus, as well as many other ancient representatives of the flora.

The exact number of mushrooms growing in the state Caucasian reserve has not been established, but experts believe that there may be about 2,000 species of them.

The Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve is the only repository of many species of plants and animals that have become rare in other parts of the planet. Of the plants growing on the territory of the reserve, 55 species are included in the Red Book of Russia. The rarest plants that have not been included in the official lists of endangered are listed in the red books of different levels.

Several dozen plant species growing in the countries of the Mediterranean and Black Sea basins are found in Russia only in national park the city of Sochi and on the southern slope of the Caucasian State Biosphere Reserve. These include: Risean snowdrop, Wittmann's peony, spiral twist, split larkspur, Provencal orchis and others.

Fauna of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve

The territory of the Caucasian Natural Biosphere Reserve is inhabited by mammals, birds (248 species), reptiles and amphibians, fish, mollusks, insects, worms, arachnids and crustaceans of various species.

The most vulnerable are large mammals such as bison, brown bear, red deer, chamois and roe deer, West Caucasian tur and wild boar.

Many animals of the nature biosphere reserve are endemic or relics. These are prevalent among fish, reptiles, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles.

In the natural boundaries of the reserve, endangered species listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, the Red Book of IUCN and regional Red Data Books have found their refuge.

The fauna of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve is not homogeneous in origin. Here you can meet representatives of the Colchis and Mediterranean, Caucasian and European faunas.

Excursions to the state Caucasian reserve

As excursion objects are available to tourists: an open-air cage complex, Khostinskaya yew-boxwood grove, Lagonaki plateau, Devil's gate pass, a nature museum in Guzeripl and a dolmen located in the same place, a number of ecological tourist routes.

In the open-air cage complex for wild animals, you can learn a lot about the fauna of the state Caucasian reserve, admire the mountain landscape, touch your heart and soul to the corner of wildlife.

Khosta yew-boxwood grove is a unique natural monument, preglacial, relict forest, which includes at least 400 species of plants.

No less interesting are excursions to the "Devil's Gate" or to the cordon of the reserve in the village of Guzeripl, where the largest megalithic structure in the territory of Adygea, the dolmen, is located. Thus, in addition to the great importance for the preservation of the ecosystem, the Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve also has great opportunities for recreation and tourism.

Photo: Stas Matyashov, Igor Kurylko, Anastasia Buylova, Sergey Gavrilov, Alexey Merinov, Anatoly Samodai