Yugansky Nature Reserve has the status of a Federal State Budgetary Institution, subordinate to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation. The decree on the creation of a nature reserve was signed on May 31, 1982.
General information
Yugansky Nature Reserve is located in the very center of Western Siberia. Surgut district, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug (Yugra), Bolshoy Yugan river basin - its exact address.
The total area of the institution is 648,636 hectares, of which 93,893 hectares are included in the special zone. Preservation of the conditions for the existence of the ecosystem, the study of the course of natural processes and phenomena without the participation of human influence on them, the development of environmental measures are the main goals for which the Yugansky Nature Reserve was created.
The entire area with natural objects located on it, as well as the bowels of the earth, are withdrawn from economic use. Rights to use thembelong to the reserve. For convenience, the territory is divided into three sections - Nyogusyakhsky, Maloyugansky and Tailakovsky.
Fauna
One of the main issues that environmentalists are concerned about today is the preservation of the number of representatives of the fauna. The Yugansky Reserve, whose fauna is represented by birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, and many species of invertebrates, has been monitoring the ability of species to adapt to harsh living conditions for many years.
The birds inhabiting the reserve are the most numerous representatives of vertebrates. There are about 216 species of them. Scientists divide birds into special groups:
- nesting on the territory of the reserve, they are also called migratory;
- visiting it during autumn and spring movements;
- wintering.
Some species of birds may appear on the territory of the reserve by chance. They are classified as a separate group, called stray. Scientists are also monitoring their behavior and lifestyle in an unusual climate for them.
The list of mammals includes about 40 species of animals. Common representatives are sable, weasel, mink, otter, wolverine, badger, ermine, weasel, wolf, fox, bear, elk, reindeer and other animals.
Flora
Plants of the Yugansk reserve are represented by a list that was formed as a result of the research activities of its employees. The main group is vascular plants,it has about 330 species. The group of lichens is rich in its representatives, including 195 species. About 114 species of mosses are found on the territory of the reserve. There is a wide variety of mushrooms. Today, about 200 of their species are known, but research work to identify them continues.
Forests occupy most of the territory of the reserve. Their type depends on the combination of tree species growing in a particular forest area. The main ones are birch, aspen, Scotch pine, cedar, fir, Siberian spruce.
Small representatives of flora and fauna
Yugansky nature reserve is interesting in that animals and plants were found on its territory, which are not typical for harsh climatic conditions. However, species have managed to adapt, they not only survive, but are able to produce offspring in natural conditions.
You can add a lynx to the list. It is very rare. Scientists attribute this to the limited number of hares, which are the main food of the predator, as well as the high snow cover.
Bats are the most mysterious and unusual animals found in the protected area. Scientists have discovered two of their species - two-tone leather and northern leather.
In winter, you can meet two species of birds, for which the usual habitat is considered to be the tundra. These include the white owl and the gyrfalcon. The group of reptiles is also small. It has two types -viviparous lizard and viper. Among the representatives of the flora, larch is the most rare. It grows only in certain areas of the reserve on well-drained soils.
Marshes
Yugansky reserve in its description has an interesting fact - the third part of its territory is swamps. In addition, they are part of Vasyugan, which is recognized as the world's largest swamp massif. This feature has always attracted scientists who have managed to prove the most important functions of swamps, their influence on many processes occurring in nature. The southern part of the Yugansky nature reserve is especially rich in swamps. Pine forests, called ryam communities, are also widespread here. This is a transitional form with signs of forest and swamp. The vegetation of the ryams is varied. It depends on the amount of water that can be held in the soil and on its surface.
Besides scientific work, the reserve conducts a large environmental education activity. The department closely cooperates with the local population, interacts with the media. Promotional products produced also contribute to public education.
