Lazovsky Nature Reserve is one of the oldest protected areas in the Russian Far East. Its total area is 1200 square kilometers. This, by the way, is more than the territory of the state of Singapore. In this article you will find a detailed story about the history, vegetation, wild animals, birds and fish of the Lazovsky Reserve. The nature of this amazing corner of Primorye is truly unique and priceless. Why - read on.
Lazovsky Nature Reserve (Primorsky Territory): geographical location and climate
The protected area is located in the south-eastern part of the Sikhote-Alin mountain range, in the interfluve of two rivers - the Chernaya and Kievka. The Lazovsky Reserve covers an area of 1200 sq. km (or 121 thousand ha). The total length of its borders is 240 kilometers. The territory of the reserve has access to the Sea of Japan. In addition, it includes the islands of Beltsov and Petrov.
Administrative address of the reserve: Russia, Primorsky Krai, Lazovsky district. Geographic coordinates: 43° 14' northlatitude; 133° 24' East. You can see the location of this object on the map of Russia below.
The climate of the territory is monsoonal. Winters are snowy and cold, while summers are warm and rainy. About 95% of the area of the reserve is occupied by forests. By the way, the largest massif of spiky yew in the Far East has been preserved on its territory.
History of the reserve at the end of the earth
The full name of this territory is the Lazovsky State Nature Reserve named after. L. G. Kaplanova. It has been assigned the highest IUCN category - 1a (strict nature reserve, full protection).
Lazovsky nature reserve is one of the oldest in Primorye. It was founded in 1935 with the aim of protecting and studying in detail the coniferous, broad-leaved and liana forests of the southern Sikhote-Alin. Today the reserve bears the name of Lev Georgievich Kaplanov, a famous Soviet zoologist and poet. He was director of the reserve from 1941 to 1943. He studied the distribution and way of life of the tiger and the Amur goral.
During the war, poachers began to operate in the reserve, with whom Kaplanov actively fought. Presumably, the scientist died at their hands in the spring of 1943.
In general, the value of this territory was noted by various researchers in the middle of the 19th century. However, the process of forming and establishing a protected area here was very slow. The Lazovsky nature reserve received its autonomy only in 1940 (before that it was only a branch of the Sikhote-Alinsky), and the current name– three years later.
The uniqueness of natural complexes
About 20% of all tigers in Primorye live in the Lazovsky Reserve. Every year, eight to sixteen adults are registered within its boundaries. But this reserve is valuable not only for striped predators. Many other valuable species of animals and plants also live here. Among them are the Far Eastern leopard, Himalayan bear, Amur goral, giant shrew, Amur velvet, aralia, Manchurian walnut and others.
The bird world of the Lazovsky Reserve strikes with its diversity. Bustard, gyrfalcon, white-naped crane, mandarin duck, peregrine falcon, fish owl, crested eagle, black stork - this is not a complete list of those birds that can be found here.
Lazovsky State Reserve is the second largest in Primorsky Krai. It protects unique natural landscapes - the Ussuri forests, which have absolutely no equal in terms of productivity and biological diversity in the temperate zone of Eurasia. In addition to the unique forests, the reserve attracts with its mountainous terrain and stunningly beautiful sea coast with sheer cliffs and bizarre rocks.
Lazovsky nature reserve: animals and plants
There are a total of 58 species of mammals within the reserve. Many of them are rare and endangered. The most important and most valuable "inhabitants" of the Lazovsky Reserve are the sika deer, the Amur goral and the Amur tiger. All of them are listed in the Red Book of Russia.
Widely represented inThe fauna of the reserve includes insects (about 3000 species) and birds (344 species). There are 18 species of bone fish in the rivers. Of these, two species are under protection - lentil and Sakhalin sturgeon.
No less rich and diverse is the flora of the reserve. It is represented by 1200 species of vascular plants, 1180 species of fungi and seven hundred species of mosses and lichens. A unique yew grove has been preserved here, the age of trees of which reaches 250-300 years. The most valuable plants of the Lazovsky Reserve:
- Amur linden.
- Manchurian walnut.
- Velvet Amur.
- Chinese Schizandra.
- Scalloped oak.
- Mongolian oak.
Next, we will talk in more detail about individual representatives of the flora and fauna of this reserve.
Tigers of the Lazovsky Reserve
For several centuries, tigers in the Far East were exterminated without really thinking about the consequences. As a result, the formidable predator was on the verge of extinction in this region. To date, the scientists of the reserve are implementing the program "Lazovsky Reserve - a model area for the conservation and increase in the number of tigers."
As a result of the active work of zoologists, as well as a strict ban on hunting the Amur tiger, the animal population in the Far East has increased significantly. Gradually, the striped predator began to repopulate its usual habitats. Every year, the staff of the reserve record two or three broods of the Amur tiger, each of which can have up to 8 cubs.
According to the scientific staff of the Lazovsky Reserve, they have photographs of absolutely all the tigers that live on its territory. Moreover, predators are known practically “by sight”, because each of them has a unique pattern on the skin. Tigers in the reserve prey mainly on young ungulates, badgers, raccoon dogs, in rare cases - on wild boars and bears. The observation of striped cats is carried out with the help of automatic photo and video cameras.
Amur Goral
Amur or eastern goral is an artiodactyl mammal belonging to the goat subfamily. Conservation status - vulnerable species. The animal is listed in the Red Book of Russia.
In appearance, the Goral is a cross between an antelope and an ordinary goat. The height of the animal at the withers is up to 75 cm, the weight is not more than 42 kg. The body of the goral is covered with thick gray or red fur. Both females and males are endowed with rather sharp black horns 15-18 centimeters long.
Amur goral is found in the Khabarovsk and Primorsky regions of Russia, on the Korean Peninsula, as well as in the northeastern regions of China. No more than 750 individuals live in the Russian Far East, most of them live in reserves. In the Lazovsky Reserve, experiments are being carried out on keeping gorals in enclosures.
Dahurian crane
The white-naped crane is a bird from the crane family, whose range is limited to East Asia. It is found on the territory of Russia, in particular in the Lazovsky nature reserve. This is extremelyvulnerable, endangered species, listed in the International and Russian Red Book. Ornithologists estimate that there are about 5,000 white-naped cranes left in the world.
The bird reaches a height of 190 centimeters and has an unusual color. You can recognize it by the characteristic red spot of bare skin around the eyes. White-naped cranes are monogamous, that is, they choose one mate for themselves and for life. These birds feed on almost everything that comes across: wheat grains, rice, corn, rhizomes, insects, fish and even shrimps.
Visit to the reserve, excursions and recreation
In many nature protection areas in Russia, all conditions are created for them to be visited by tourists and vacationers. The Lazovsky Nature Reserve is no exception in this regard. Group excursions, individual tours and various environmental programs for both children and adults are organized and conducted here all year round.
Wishing to relax in the reserve can stay here for a few days. Tourists can stay in summer houses at the Petrov cordon (the cost of renting one cottage per day is 3,000 rubles), at the camp site of the Proselochny cordon, as well as in the rest rooms of the main estate. A detailed list of services and prices can be found on the website of the Lazovsky Reserve.
List of tourist routes
Four tourist routes have been created on the territory of the reserve. You need to move strictly along marked trails, otherwise you risk meeting dangerous wild animals. sawing trees, tearingflowers, breaking branches and making fires on the routes, of course, is prohibited. Here is a list of marked trails in the reserve:
- Route No. 1. Mountain "Sister" and "Stone-Brother" (21 km).
- Route No. 2. Cloud Mountain (11 km).
- Route No. 3. Snezhnaya Mountain (12 km).
- Route No. 4. Milogradovka River.
In addition to ecological trails, an ecocenter and a museum of nature operate on the territory of the reserve, which will also be interesting for tourists to visit.
Yew Grove
Petrov Island is one of the most visited places within the Lazovsky Reserve. Here, on a relatively small area, several dozen Red Book plant species grow. The attention of absolutely all tourists is attracted by a unique yew grove. Some trees are over 800 years old.
According to one version, a yew grove on Petrov Island was planted in the 8th century by Chinese sea robbers who fled from China. Subsequently, it became a cult place where sacrifices and other religious rites were held. Thanks to the openness of the island to all winds, the crowns of the yew trees have acquired the most bizarre shapes and outlines.
In addition to the yew, other interesting plant species can be found on the island. For example, eleutherococcus, ginseng, Chinese magnolia vine, Manchurian cedar and others. On the coast of the island there is another unique natural object - the so-called singing sands. White grains of sand of a special shape and size make a specific sound when someonethen walks along the beach.
Reserve Museum
The Museum of Nature in the Lazovsky Reserve is a popular attraction in Primorye. Up to 5,000 people visit it every year. The expositions of the museum are regularly updated. In addition, the institution holds thematic lectures and evenings for schoolchildren, excursions, exhibitions of local artists and other events.
The museum was opened to visitors in 1987. To date, this is the best place to get acquainted with the unique nature of the southeastern Primorye. The Museum of the Lazovsky Reserve has a huge video library and a rich arsenal of literature about animals and plants of this region.
