The Russian North is a hard-to-reach and little-studied territory. However, it does not cease to attract with its magnificence. The protected lands of Karelia, Obonezhye, Vologda need protection and care. The National Park "Russian Arctic" is designed to preserve the natural and cultural we alth of the exclusive part of the Russian North.
Possessions of the "Russian Arctic"
In order to realize the potential of Russia in the Arctic, preserve the special nature of the North and conduct scientific research, in 1999 the deputies of the Arkhangelsk Regional Assembly decided to organize the Russian Arctic National Park. It was planned to combine natural complexes on Victoria Island, in the Barents Sea, on Franz Josef Land and in the north of Novaya Zemlya. After 10 years, V. V. Putin ordered the establishment of the Russian Arctic National Park. The park includes many protected islands, among which Fr. Gemskerk, Fr. Loshkin, oh. Northern, Orange Islands. The total area of the "Russian Arctic" is about 1.5 million hectares: most of it is occupied by the water area (about 790 thousand hectares).
Franz Josef Land Reserve
One of the northernmost territories in the world is Franz Josef Land, the archipelago actually adjoins the "Russian Arctic". The lands of the archipelago have been considered protected since 1994, when the Franz Josef Land state nature reserve was created. The reserve, which is protected by the "Russian Arctic", was created to preserve the pristine nature, solve environmental problems, and reproduce resources. An important task is to protect the local fauna from human influence.
Polar bears live on the lands of the archipelago, for which nature has created a favorable atmosphere here for breeding.
Walrus rookeries occupy significant areas of the reserve. On the islands of Appolonov and Stolichki, you can see rare Atlantic walruses on a rookery. Bird colonies are numerous here.
Unique microclimate
"Russian Arctic" (a national park in the Arkhangelsk region), has a unique microclimate. The location of the park is unique. It is washed by two Arctic seas: the Barents and Kara. At the same time, the southwestern part of the Barents Sea is always free of ice, while the Kara Sea, on the contrary, does not freeze only in summer near river mouths. This feature of nature creates an exceptional microclimate in the park, in which there is such a variety of fauna that is not found in any Arctic territory.
Fauna
"Russian Arctic" is a national park with very few permanent inhabitants. There are only 11 species of animals, but they are all unique. Most of them are found in the Red Book of Russia: the Atlantic walrus and the Novaya Zemlya deer, the bowhead whale and the polar bear, the narwhal and minke minke. The park plays an important role in the protection of the Kara-Barents polar bear population. Arctic foxes (on dry hills) and lemmings (near water bodies) live in the tundra zones of the park.
"Russian Arctic" is an important habitat for the bowhead whale, its Svalbard population.
At the beginning of the 20th century, this rare mammal was on the verge of extinction. Now the population is increasing. Marine mammals such as bearded seal, harp seal, ringed seal, Atlantic walrus, seal, narwhal are found in coastal waters.
Avifauna
The avifauna of the park is the largest in the Russian North. Conditions on the territory are favorable for permanent habitation and seasonal nesting. There is enough food here, especially during the warm period, there are many places for arranging nests, there are practically no predators. Terrestrial are the tundra partridge and snowy owl. Guillemots, polar guillemots, little auks, common kittiwakes, white gulls, glaucous gulls and other bird species nest on the rocky shores of the islands.
With all the diversity of the avifauna, representatives of different populations rarely settle together. Little auks inhabit coast alterritories and do not leave them even for the winter quarters. Guillemots, on the contrary, only nest on the shore, and spend the rest of their time in the sea, like gulls and kittiwakes. Glaucous raptors and skuas settle near large seabird nests that serve as food for them.
The Russian Arctic National Park (Arkhangelsk) is also attractive for migratory birds. They arrive from the southern countries at the beginning of spring, during the mating season. All passerines, with the exception of the snow bunting, are migratory. Horned lark, Lapland plantain, wheatear, tap dance nest in dry grass and under polar willows. The duck family is also represented in the "Russian Arctic", there are 12 species of them. Together with other freshwater birds, they nest and feed on arctic lakes and streams. In September, the colonies replenished with chicks migrate to warmer places.
Cultural and historical heritage
The Russian Arctic National Park is a place with a special historical and cultural heritage. Objects connected with the history of the discovery of the Arctic are concentrated here. It is known that in the 11-12 centuries, fishing was carried out in the park, there was a hunt for walruses because of their fangs, foxes because of their exceptional fur, birds with rare feathers. The first European navigator to reach Novaya Zemlya was the Englishman Hugh Willoughby. His ship set off in 1553 to look for a northern passage from Europe to China. Having reached the south of Novaya Zemlya and making a stop at the mouth of the Varzina River, the entire crew died under mysterious circumstances, possibly from carbon monoxide. Famous Dutch navigator WillimBarents at the end of the 16th century reached Novaya Zemlya. He sailed near the northern coast of Novaya Zemlya, wintered on the island with the crew. On the way back, the navigator fell ill with scurvy. The crew returned home with valuable scientific observations.
The first Russian navigator who went to Novaya Zemlya was Fyodor Rozmyslov. He spent about a year on the expedition, during which he took notes, described the territory and its features, carried out meteorological observations and geodetic work. His crew reached the mouth of the Matochkin Shar and was forced to return to Arkhangelsk. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the Novaya Zemlya archipelago began to be visited more often, especially by Russian researchers. In 1909, Vladimir Rusanov, a Russian navigator, made the first reliable cartographic description of Novaya Zemlya. In Soviet times, various studies were carried out on the territory of the current park.
Ecotourism is currently developing here.
Everyone can visit the national park "Russian Arctic". Photos and videos can be taken from the cruisers sailing from Murmansk, and during numerous moorings to the shores of the islands.
