Kostomuksha Nature Reserve (Republic of Karelia): history, description, fauna and flora

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:42

Kostomuksha Nature Reserve is a unique phenomenon. This nature protection zone is part of a large complex created in 1990 by Finland and our country. It is called "Friendship": Kostomuksha Reserve (Russia) and five specially protected natural areas (Finland). Thus, the ecologists of the two countries take care of the safety of this uniquely beautiful taiga zone. Forests with their we alth, cleanest lakes with spawning fish, raging rivers, animals and birds - these are the natural objects that the reserve near Kostomuksha is famous for.

History

The city that gave the name to the reserve, Kostomuksha, is quite young. It arose around a mining complex built here in 1982 by the forces of Russia and Finland. The company is engaged in the production of iron ore raw materials. It is no secret that this type of production has a negative impact on the environment. Accordingly, already in 1983, lands were identified that needed to be protected from such harmful influences.

This is how the Kostomukshsky nature reserve in Karelia arose. Unfortunately, initially its territory was not so vast, so allsome natural objects are under threat. It wasn't until 1991, when it merged with the Finnish protected area, that the land reached today's 47,569 hectares.

Surprisingly, during the Great War of 1941-1945. this area was virtually unaffected. Of course, there are some traces of military operations, but they are very insignificant.

Geographic location

Where is the Kostomuksha Reserve located? Its territory runs from the west along the border with Finland along the coast of Lake Kamennoe. In terms of length, there are 27 kilometers between the southern and northern points, fifteen kilometers between the western and eastern sides.

It is not difficult to get to it: from Petrozavodsk you should get to Kostomuksha, which is about 500 kilometers. Various public transport runs along the route (railway and bus service). You can also drive directly from St. Petersburg to Kostomuksha. Then drive another 25 kilometers from the city. It should be noted that a special pass is required to visit the reserve, which can be ordered on the official website.

Climate

The protected zone of the Kostomukshsky reserve lies in the Atlantic-Arctic zone. However, the nearby Gulf Stream provides fairly mild winters: rarely the temperature drops below -10 degrees. In addition, the plants are well protected by a thick snow cover that can lie here until May.

Maximum summer temperature +17 degrees. Autumn comes early: already in September the firstfrosts.

Lakes

The heart of the Kostomuksha Reserve is Stone Lake. By the way, it originally appeared in its name. This reservoir up to 26 meters deep is a very picturesque place, located in the ring of rich taiga forests. The lake has a large number of large and small islands, and bays and bays are also not uncommon in it. Its coastline is not flat, but very indented.

Even the very nature of the coast varies: from low-lying marshy in the south to rocky-sandy in the north. Since ancient times, Karelians settled near the reservoir. They planted pastures, farmed and interacted closely with their Finn neighbors.

The life of not only the inhabitants of the reserve, but also the inhabitants of Kostomuksha depends on the purity of the water of Stone Lake, because it is from it that water is supplied to the taps of the townspeople.

Only one river flows out of the reservoir, named the same as the lake - Kamennaya. It is notable for its violent temper and changeability: the stormy waters of the rapids (among which the most famous Tsar-threshold) are replaced by a calm current.

The river is also unique in that it is the salmon that goes along it during the spawning period, and the salmon that lives in the lake of the same name descends here for breeding.

In total, the Kostomukshsky Reserve (Republic of Karelia) has about 250 small lakes, but only Kamennoye can boast of the purest water (visibility reaches 5 meters). All lakes, communicating with each other, belong to the Gulf of the White Sea.

Forests

Kostomuksha reserve is mostly forests, fortunately not affected byhuman activities. Most of all, pine forests predominate in the territory, and spruce forests a little less often. There are very few deciduous birch forests here.

A large number of pine trees in the reserve is due to the prevailing meager stony soils of the taiga. It is these trees that grow on the slopes of the hills, their neighbors are mountain ash, juniper. At the foot, the soil is more supplied with nutrients, which is why the pine here is replaced by spruce growth.

Birch forests are found only on the border of the reserve.

Plants

The fauna and fauna of the Kostomuksha Reserve is determined by the taiga zone - it is not rich enough. However, there are rare plants and animals here.

So, you can meet Dortman's Lobelia near Kamennoye Lake. This plant is a kind of indicator of the purity of water, lives only in crystalline, unpolluted waters.

Lobelia is so rare that it is listed in the Red Book. The plant is very beautiful: a rather long stem is crowned with a brush with white flowers, shaped like bells.

Lobelia is not the only rare plant in the reserve. There are others here as well. For example, curly hops, two-leafed love, Selkirk violet - only about 300 species. Taiga is the realm of mosses and lichens. There are a great many of them here. Coniferous, swampy places are an excellent breeding ground for them.

Viburnum, bird cherry and wild rose grow along the banks of the Kamennaya River from the southern part of the reserve. There is also a wolf's bast - a very rare plant here.

The Kostomukshsky nature reserve is the realm of berries. Bright cloudberries, blueberries, blueberries, stone fruits and others grow here. By the way, it is forbidden to collect these riches on the territory.

Birds

Talk about small animals should start with birds. Like the entire animal kingdom, they are represented here by a few species. Many are listed in the Red Book. We list the most typical.

Goose goose. It is distinguished by its rather large size, dark beak, which is separated by a bright orange stripe. Both male and female are the same in color: gray-brown. It is possible to distinguish the sex of birds only by the size of males - they are larger. As for habits, even though the nests of these geese are located near the reservoir, in the daytime they prefer to go far on land, returning to the water only to sleep.

Whooper swan. A large, stately white bird.

Floats on the water with its neck proudly raised without bending it. The black tip is clearly visible on the bright yellow beak. It is easy to distinguish a whooper from his relative mute: the latter bends the neck and is an order of magnitude larger.

As for rare birds of prey, here you can meet peregrine falcon, white-tailed eagle, golden eagle and osprey.

Very often there are venisons, partridges, black-throated eiders, mallards, goldeneyes and others.

Small animals of the reserve

Among small mammals, it is worth noting all kinds of rodents: squirrels, shrews, muskrats, several species of voles are not uncommon. The white hare prefers to settle along the shores of Stone Lake.

Among the inhabitants it is worth highlightingCanadian beavers. These nocturnal animals settle along the banks of water bodies. They live in huts built in a special way. From the dwellings there are exits to the water, because beavers are excellent swimmers. He prefers to eat the bark of trees.

Another interesting animal is the flying squirrel. A very rare species in our country.

The animal is very small, slightly smaller than an ordinary squirrel. The flying squirrel is distinguished by a special skin fold, straightening which, the animal is able to plan long distances.

The otter, a representative of the weasel family, is very rare for these places. The body of the animal is quite large, there are individuals reaching 95 cm. The fur is very beautiful, durable. The tail is almost devoid of fur, but very muscular. The otter is an excellent swimmer, in addition to the tail, webbed paws and a streamlined body shape help her.

Among other representatives of mustelids, the Kostomuksha Reserve is inhabited by weasels, martens, American minks, ermines.

Large animals of the reserve

Of the large animals, the population of the forest reindeer deserves special mention. It is not without reason that this particular animal is located on the coat of arms of the Kostomuksha Reserve.

Animals are attracted to young deciduous trees - the basis of the diet. Before winter migration, deer stay here, after that they gather in herds and roam far from the reserve.

Kostomuksha Nature Reserve - the habitat of moose. Also, wild boars and roe deer began to enter the territory.

There are also animals familiar to the taiga: wolves, foxes, wolverines andlynx. Bears are also regulars here.