What is the famous Khopersky reserve?

Part of the territory of the Novokhopersky district of the Voronezh region since 1935 has received the status of protected and protected. And now this place has become known all over the world. The Khopersky Reserve, which stretches along the Khoper River, is one of the oldest in Russia. In 2015, he celebrated his eightieth birthday. This place has so diverse flora and fauna that it is one of the most famous protected areas in the world. Especially popular Khoper State Reserve was received because of the spread of the relict beast - Russian desman. But in addition to it, many other species are studied and protected on this territory.

Geographical features of the reserve

1. It is located in the east of the Voronezh Region and stretches along the middle course of the Khoper River.

2. Khopersky Reserve - one of the few in the world, having such an elongated shape. Its width does not exceed 9 kilometers.

3. More than 16 thousand hectares of the territory is located in floodplain meadows and mountain terraces of Khopra. This ancient valley has a glacial origin, this is what can explain the preserved relict plants and some species of animals.

4. More than 80% of the territory is occupied by forests that are part of the ancient Telerman boron.

5. The Khopersky Reserve is also unique and is located on the border of the steppe and forest-steppe zone. This explains the diversity of plants, which is not even in the larger Voronezh biosphere reserve.

6. In its territory there are many floodplain lakes, the largest of which has a length of about 4 kilometers. The protection and study of the flora and fauna of these water bodies is the responsibility of the reserve staff.

7. The climate in its territory is moderately continental: the summer is hot and dry, and the winter is cold.

Vegetation of the reserve

Most of its territory is occupied by oak forests. They grow in them mostly oaks with an admixture of maple, linden and ash. More than 1200 species of higher plants are found in the reserve. A lot of wild fruit trees and berry bushes. Ancient black alder and an aspen are common. The Khopersky Reserve is the only place where rare species of white poplar are preserved. The meadows are located only in the floodplain on the left bank of Khopra. On the border with the steppe zone, rare feather grass, droke, tavolga and other herbs grow. Especially a lot of legumes and cereals. The Khopersky Reserve is unique in that it has very rich aquatic vegetation. There are many relict species of hydrophytes, for example, chilim or floating silment.

Animal world

Extremely diverse representatives of the fauna of the reserve. He was created primarily to protect a rare animal - the Russian desman. One of the few places of its distribution is the Khopersky Reserve. This amazing animal is on the verge of extinction and is listed in the Red Book. Beavers were brought to the territory of the reserve for normal activity of the desman. Many other animals also appeared here thanks to man. And now, except for the desman in this territory are spotted deer, wild boars, moose, bison, jerboa and even more than 40 species of mammals. The life of freshwater fish and amphibians is studied. A lot of rare and endangered species of insects and birds is famous for the Khopersky Reserve. Animals in this area are protected and studied, but people try not to interfere in their lives.

Modern problems of the reserve

Employees of the reserve are engaged not only in the protection and study of the unique nature of the pripopmennye lakes, but also in scientific and educational activities. But the territory of the reserve is very vulnerable, since it has no clearly delineated boundaries. To study nature there are ecological paths, you can also get acquainted with its unique flora and fauna in the museum located in the village of Varvarino. The most acute problem of the reserve in recent years has been the planned development of nickel deposits on the banks of the River Khoper. This production can destroy a unique world, preserved for many years untouched.