Reserve of the Samara region. Zhigulevsky nature reserve

The districts of the Samara region are famous for many beautiful places, where tourists come to admire nature every year. But, besides this, one of the old and beautiful nature reserves of Russia is located here. Travelers visit these places in order to wander through the forests located on the shores of the legendary Volga.

Great reserves of the Samara region

Samara Luke is a territory that was formed due to the unusually deep bend of the Volga. Since 1984, the authorities have decided to preserve local natural areas, as they represent aesthetic and ecological value. The outer boundaries of this national park are outlined by the bends of the river. Only in the northern part of it adjoins the Zhigulevsky State Reserve. It is the oldest in the system of Russian protected areas and is of particular interest. But, besides him, in the Samara region there is also a territory that is protected and has federal significance. It is the National Park "Buzuluksky Bor".

Zhigulevsky nature reserve

The territory of this reserve can rightly be considered unique, since nowhere else in the country can we meet such a combination of landscape. The mountain range, which consists of the oldest rocks, is surrounded by the bends of the Volga. This is the first reserve of the Samara region, which got its status back in 1927. At this time, a restriction was introduced to harvest berries and mushrooms, so that rare crops were preserved. Also, hunting was banned here. In addition, since the purpose of the reserve was to preserve a unique landscape, any excursions were prohibited. But recently the management approved the opening of two tourist routes. The first of them passes from. Ash through the Strelnuyu mountain. It is better to overcome this path by road, so as not to get lost. You can come here at any time of the year. Passes are issued in the village of Zolnoye. The second route begins in the village. Shiryaevo, and he called the "Stone Chalice". The road is difficult, so many prefer to travel on foot, because without an all-terrain vehicle it can not get through.

Now the Zhigulevsky reserve of the Samara region has a territory of 23,157 hectares. On the island part of 542 hectares, and the remaining area falls on the mainland. Researchers of this area disagree about the natural areas. Some believe that in the northern side of the Samara Luke Reserve mixed forests, and the southern part is forest-steppe. But other researchers argue that the entire territory of the reserve on the Samarskaya Luka is a forest-steppe zone.

Climate of the reserve

It is known that the Samara region is characterized by a continental climate. In summer, hot weather prevails here, while winters are very frosty. Such a climate is formed due to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Asian continent, which overheats in the summer, and in winter, on the contrary, is supercooled. Because of these two factors, the meteorological situation in the reserve area is unstable and subject to weather changes. For example, frosts can alternate with mild weather, and dry heat can unexpectedly change to long-term precipitation.

Flora of the reserve

The landscapes in these places are really delicious, as almost 94% of the total area is covered with forests. The predominant trees here are small leaved lindens and aspen trees (this is on the mainland). But also there are birch, pine and oak forests and many others. As for vegetation, it is very diverse here. In 1984, studies were conducted here that identified 832 species and 370 genera of plants. Recent repeated counts recorded that 58 species were not found. Now 105 species of Compositae and 67 species of cereals grow here. Rosemary, legumes and crucifers are also common here.

But still the greatest value is represented by relic specimens, as well as those plants that were first found and described in the territory of this locality. So, the Samara region's reserve includes about one hundred species, which are especially valuable from a scientific point of view. It is worth noting that here for the first time the Zhigulevsky lapwing, Lessing feather grass and Volga fescue were described.

Fauna

But what animals can you meet, if you visit this place with an excursion? It should be noted that the diversity of terrestrial vertebrates is relatively small. In 1984, 213 species were recorded that live here or regularly visit the protected area. Of these representatives, 112 are rare. These include mammals (25 numerous and 15 rare species), birds (70 numerous and 88 rare), amphibians (3 and 5), reptiles (3 and 4). The most common here are insects, which are in the territory of several thousand. They, unlike vertebrates, have been studied little. In addition, in the local waters can count about 40 species of fish. But the water area, which is protected and belongs to the protected area, is small.

Mammals of the reserve

Of particular interest are the animals of the Zhigulevsky Reserve. Here you can meet ungulates. This is moose, although their number is small, and boars. The latter are found here quite a lot, if we compare the size of the reserve. They search for food damage relict vegetation, so the administration decided to regulate their numbers. Among the predators, the largest are wolves and a small number of lynxes. The small ones include forest martens, badgers, foxes. Also in the reserve there is a small number of weasels, forest ferrets and raccoon dogs.

Also Zhigulevsky Reserve of the Samara region became a home for some rodents. These include proteins that try to settle closer to the villages, and hare-hares. Also sometimes you can meet the horsemen. But do not be surprised that there are so few animals here, since the main purpose of creating the reserve was to preserve unique natural landscapes that are not peculiar to Europe. But what are the reserves in the Samara region, in which relic plants are also being studied ?

Features of Buzuluk boron

First it is worth noting that this area is a national park. This island massif with predominantly pine forest is located on the border of the Orenburg and Samara regions. It was established in 2007, although it is assumed that its pine forest was formed about three and even four thousand years ago. At that time in the forest there were many lakes. But over time, numerous fires, predatory felling, arid years have led to the fact that the main body of reservoirs has dried up, and the natural conditions have changed.

Today, the Buzuluk boron is a huge forest island shaped like a triangle. The area of this "wealth" reaches 111,000 hectares. More than 60 000 ha are sands. In some places, their depth is 90 m. The Borovka River flows in the center of the massif.

Landscape and flora of the park

On the territory of the forest, the meadow, marsh and steppe tracts combine in an unusual way. Along the course of the river and almost along the entire rim of the park there are deciduous forests. Also in the forest you can meet some parts of birch and aspen. But the main territory (more than 2/3) is occupied by pine forests. In the forest you can see unusual contrasts of vegetation. There are ferns growing next to the steppe feather grass, wormwood and forest bells. But next to these plants, you can find lichens, which are usually found in the tundra, for example, reindeer moss.

Also in coniferous thickets there are berries such as strawberries, strawberries, blackberries, bones, mountain ash, steppe cherry and many others.

Animal world of boron

Although the inhabitants here are slightly smaller than in the Zhigulevsky Reserve, there are still permanent inhabitants of the animal world in the park. For example, back in 1935, roe deer were seen here, which had previously disappeared from these places. In addition to them, spotted deer, moose, and wild boar are recorded in the forest. You can meet badgers, squirrels, whites, martens, weasels, ermines, foxes and some other inhabitants.

At the moment, inhabitants of the following species are registered in the Buzuluk forest:

• 57 species of mammals;
• 24 species of fish;
• 9 species of reptiles;
• 7 species of amphibians.

Also there are more than 1000 species of insects. In addition, it should be said that there are seven species of bats that differ in their external characteristics and lifestyle.

It is important to note the presence of birds. There are 35 species settled here. Also in the winter period, guests arrive, attracted by a huge number of seeds and berries. So here spend wintering about 10 species of northern birds. There are a lot of black grouses, falcons and grouse, eagles, burial grounds.

Such an unusual nature attracts herbalists, mushroom pickers and berries gatherers. Many tourists come here who settle in villages, campsites, camps and hotels. Such national parks (reserves) of the Samara region annually attract lovers of pristine nature to their places. The local administration is trying to create all conditions for such travelers to be interesting and pleasant to be surrounded by these magnificent forests.