Many large nature reserves are located on the territory of Russia. It is really interesting to visit such places, because here you can see a lot of new things. Beautiful nature, centuries-old trees, rare animals - all this is in many famous reserves. The Yuntolovsky nature reserve is no exception. The article will talk about this wonderful place. General information about it, its location and other interesting facts about the reserve will be considered.
Yuntolovsky Reserve: general information
For starters, it's worth telling a little about what this reserve is. This is a truly unique place, because the nature here is incredibly beautiful. Also, a large number of different animals, including rare ones, live in the reserve. But this is far from all that a natural reserve can amaze with. The area on which the object is located is reallyhuge. It is 976.8 hectares. Not every reserve can boast of such a scale.
This important natural site was formed in 1990. And in 1999, its borders were marked. Also, the territory of the reserve is under special protection. Now it has the status of a state nature reserve of regional significance. Thus, we got to know this wonderful place a little, and it is worth talking more about where it is located.
Where is the reserve located?
So, it is necessary to consider the location of this wonderful object. It is located in St. Petersburg, in the west of the city, in the Primorsky district. There are several residential areas nearby. It is interesting that its territory is located practically in the Lakhta lowland. If we consider the natural zone to which the Yuntolovsky reserve belongs, then we can say that it lies in the subzone of the southern taiga.
The boundaries of the reserve are also of interest, now they remain the same as at the time of foundation. It includes several large objects. Among them, it is necessary to separately note the Lakhtinsky spill, several rivers - Yuntolovka, Kamenka and Chernaya. Also, do not deprive the attention of the Lakhtinsky swamp, most of which belongs to the territory of the reserve.
Thus, we got acquainted with the location of this natural complex, and also got to know better what is included in its boundaries.
How and when did the reserve appear?
Many are wondering what is Yuntolovsky Park? The reserve wascreated a long time ago. Now it is worth talking separately about the history of the emergence of this object. Ideas about creating a protected natural area here began to appear at the beginning of the 20th century. Then for these purposes it was proposed to use the northern part of the Neva Bay. At the same time, many specialists developed proposals for the creation of a reserve. They considered the Lakhtinskaya lowland one of the most interesting examples of the local landscape and vegetation. However, these are not all the reasons that led to such a decision. Various types of birds often stopped in this area during spring and autumn migrations.
Despite all the arguments, the reserve was never organized, because the authorities did not support this project. However, a special excursion station began to function here, as well as the Museum of Nature. Various studies were carried out at the station, the results of which are of great scientific importance. Nevertheless, in 1990, it was decided to create the Yuntolovsky State Nature Reserve in this place. Now it is a very important object both from a scientific and historical point of view.
History of the area
It is also necessary to tell a little about the history of the Lakhta lowland and the process of its development by man. These places have been used for a long time. At first, agricultural lands were located here, especially on the banks of the Yuntolovka and Kamenka rivers.
In the 19th century, these territories underwent significant changes. Here a newRailway. Around the same time, active drainage of local swamps began. And already in the XX century, active peat extraction began here. They went on for quite a long period of time. During the war, the peat extracted here was used as fuel in the city.
Already in the post-war period, soil was mined here to restore the city. Due to this, the Lakhtinsky spill became noticeably deeper. Also in these places continued to extract peat. These processes continued until the 90s, when it was decided to create a reserve.
What grows in the reserve?
Now that we are fully acquainted with the history of this natural area, it is also worth talking about the local flora. The Yuntolovsky Reserve boasts a real abundance of representatives of the plant world. Basically, wonderful pine and birch forests grow on its territory. You can often see lowlands and swampy areas here. Sometimes there is black alder and various shrub trees. Of particular interest on the territory of the reserve is such a plant as the marsh waxwort. It has long been listed in the Red Book. Thus, it becomes clear that Yuntolovsky is a real nature reserve, where there is a large number of different plants, including rare ones.
Fauna of the reserve
So, we talked about the plants that are located on the territory of this important natural site. The animal world should also be noted, since this is a very important point.for the reserve. There are many species of birds, as well as mammals. Many of them are listed in the Red Book.
If we talk about birds, there are about 100 species here. Another 50 are added to them during flights, as well as in summer and winter. Some rare species of birds, about 25 species, are specially bred here. Among them are bittern, small spotted woodpecker, oriole, shoveler and many others. Of interest is the fact that now in the reserve there is an increase in the number of ospreys. This species is extremely rare in these latitudes. It is also listed in the Red Book.
As for mammals, here you can often see fox, roe deer, white hare, muskrat and other animals. Thanks to such an abundance of interesting animals and plants, many tend to visit the Yuntolovsky reserve. Photos of this natural object can be seen in many guidebooks and other materials.
How to get to the reserve?
Of course, many who want to visit this unique natural area are interested in the question of how to get there. It is not at all difficult to do this, since the reserve is located right in St. Petersburg. You can get to it by private car or by land transport along Planernaya and Glukharskaya streets, as well as along Shuvalovsky Prospekt. The nearest metro station is Novaya Derevnya.
Modern problems of the reserve
In our time, environmental problems haunt almost every naturalan object. The Yuntolovsky reserve was no exception. There has been a struggle for the ecology of the natural zone for many years. The first factor that greatly influenced the situation was the construction of a major road nearby called the Western High-Speed Diameter (WHSD). After its construction, the forest adjacent to it was badly damaged, it was cut down, and the water supply to objects inside the reserve was also disrupted. Recently, another large-scale construction began near the boundaries of the reserve. A multi-storey building, the Lakhta Center, is being erected here. Experts predict that it can significantly affect nature. A huge number of birds fly through these places every year. Since migration occurs predominantly at night, most birds can die by crashing into a structure that is not visible at night. In this regard, it was decided to equip the building with special lighting and other elements.
