After World War II, people first realized that the species diversity of the animal and plant world is under threat. Thanks to numerous studies, scientists have found that since the beginning of the 17th century, many representatives of flora and fauna have disappeared from the face of the earth.
History of the Red Book
For example, none of the living people have ever met a 20-pound pigeon that looks like a goose. Meanwhile, a giant bird existed and was called a dodo. People exterminated it in the same way as they destroyed Tarpan (wild horses), tours and sea cows. These animals will forever remain on the black pages of world conservation lists.
Given the fact that people, without thinking about the consequences, actually declared war on the animal and plant world of the planet, a reasonable decision was made to create an international organization for the protection of nature. The result of her work was the compilation of the Red Book of Facts. The last word in the title naturally declined, and work began on filling its colorful pages. It is colored, since sheets in which the species are at different stages of extinction are indicated by different shades.
Of course, it is impossible to create a global Red Book that takes into account all endangered species, so similar lists have appeared in many countries. The Soviet Union did not lag behind. The Red Book of the USSR first saw the light in 1978. Subsequently, she was reprinted more than once, undergoing various additions. Of course, a huge country could not limit itself to a general list, incorporating many republics and regions. As a result, the Red Book of the Komi Republic was compiled. Animals and plants, the names of which were placed on its pages, were carefully studied and taken under the protection of the state.
Structural features
The regional Red Book of animals of the Komi Republic was divided into species, each group having its own status. Such a division was displayed in numbers from 0 to 5, where 0 are species that probably disappeared from the territory of the republic forever. Next, in order:
- Populations whose numbers have critically decreased.
- Species gradually disappearing. Factors contributing to this need to be excluded.
- Rare groups of flora and fauna. Their small number is due to the fact that these species live in limited territories or water areas.
- Animals and plants of uncertain status, but in need of protective measures.
- Restored species that will soon cease to need special protection.
The kingdom of mushrooms, birds, insects also did not disregard the Red Book of the Komi Republic. The animals and plants in it are clearly structured by degree of extinction. Of course, over time, the publication will not escape clarifications or additions. At the moment, the monograph includes about 100 species of animals, 800 species of representatives of the mushroom kingdom and 1158 species of vascular plants.
Where is brown ushanka hiding?
This bat was confidently taken under protection by the Red Book of the Komi Republic. Animals, the information on which is contained on the pages of this natural protection letter, are rightfully included in this list. Therefore, brown ear-flaps deserve more detailed study. The appearance of a mouse fluttering like a butterfly is not quite ordinary. If you pay attention to her long ears, the following nuance catches your eye: a sleeping ear-flap folds its ears under the wings, and only tragus remains outside. This gives the animal the appearance of a horned creature. The wings of this representative of the Batwing order are short and quite wide. The weight of the animal reaches 14 grams.
The habitats of these rare animals are forests, such as taiga, abandoned villages, shores of ponds and rocks. In the afternoon, a brown ear-flock hides in the attics, in woodpiles, in hollows of trees and even under window eaves. The animal hibernates in mid-autumn. Since October, ushan has been going to bed, looking for a suitable hollow, basement or cellar.
Cute but defenseless animals often die due to the fault of people. This is facilitated by massive deforestation. Also, a harsh winter and a lack of reliable shelter can destroy ushana.
Animals of the Red Book of the Komi Republic: hare
This large beast reaches a weight of 7 kilograms, but is distinguished by a fragile physique. The wool of a hare-hare differs in luster and silkiness, has several color shades: from brown to olive. The beast's eyes are reddish, and the tips of long ears remain black at any time of the year. The animal lives in woodlands, in river valleys, in fields, and generally prefers to settle in open areas. As you know, a hare is a homeless creature. Any suitable bush can become his resting place. Activity is mainly observed at night. He loves to feast on grassy plants, bark, branches or seeds.
It is not for nothing that the Red Book of animals of the Komi Republic includes this beast in its list, because it is often an object of hunting. Also, the number of species depends on the economic activity of a person. Sometimes a hare can be harmful to plantations and be a pedigree of toxoplasmosis.
Badger Story
Representatives of the Kunih family also did not ignore the Red Book of the Komi Republic. Animals, photo which are presented in this article are quite rare. Among them, the European badger stands out . The weight of this large beast varies depending on the season: in winter, badgers can gain weight up to 24 kilograms. Females are slightly lighter and smaller than males, while an adult male reaches almost a meter long. The tough badger fur is colored much darker in summer than in winter. The animal lives mainly in the forests of the Komi Republic, having chosen river basins for itself. Badgers live in pairs, and houses are often built for several families by the so-called badger cities. Animals are omnivorous and rather voracious. The result was their huge intestine compared to the body (its length is 8 times the size of the body).
Both natural (severe winters) and human (forest exploitation, poaching) factors can be limiting for individuals.
What is the pika silent about?
Also, the Red Book of animals of the Komi Republic includes another representative of the order Zayceobraznyh - northern pika. This modest animal is very similar to a rat and does not exceed its size. Animal fur is like rust in color. In the indicated territory of the colony, pikas live mainly in mountainous regions. Northern pikas have a unique warning system: when in danger, they emit a piercing whistle. Shelters for them are the gaps between the blocks of stone. The animals are rather thrifty: they stack feed stacks and hide them in secluded places.
There are very few animals left, therefore they are under state protection. Their numbers are decreasing due to active ore mining in this region. Almost the entire range of northern pikas falls on protected lands, which allows to save the population from extinction.
And the loons are also groaning ...
The Red Book of animals of the Komi Republic helps to preserve those natural regional wealth that people, passionate about thirst for activity, did not manage to destroy. Among the species included in the treasured list, there is a bird of the Gagarov family - black-throated loon. This bird is quite large, about the size of a small goose. Body weight in males reaches 3 kilograms. The color of the feathers gradually changes from radically black to white. The loon has a long neck and a narrow beak. Birds have chosen areas of forest-tundra and tundra. In the taiga, loons settle on forest lakes. As for wintering, the birds prefer to be deployed in coastal marine areas.
Enemies of the loons in wildlife are arctic foxes, gulls and skuas. Also, birds can not stand the anxiety of people. If people often go to the pond that the loons love, the birds will not nest there. Sometimes birds die in fishing nets. In addition, pollution of water with chemical and petroleum products also does not benefit the loons.
Ugra poppies gold
Looking at the piercing yellow color of Ugra poppies, any person understands that not everything is so unique in our world. After all, everyone is accustomed to associate the poppy with the scarlet color. This perennial plant is found along river channels, where the banks are dotted with pebbles. Sometimes Ugra poppies can be found in moist places of the tundra. Wind carries seeds of plants around the district, which contributes to their reproduction.
The rapid destruction of a rare species is associated with the economic development of the territories, tourist and recreational activities of man. That is why the Ugra poppy settled on the pages of the Red Book.
Mushroom cabbage or where to look for rabbit happiness?
Curly Sparrasis - so in Latin is called a plant, which in everyday life was called mushroom or rabbit cabbage. This fungus parasitizes on tree trunks, choosing mainly coniferous trees for life. The plant is striking in its size and weight. The mushroom reaches a mass of 5-10 kilograms and 60 centimeters in diameter. Sometimes it grows to 30 centimeters in height. It does not bring benefits to pines and cedars, on the contrary, it strikes with decay their roots. The appearance of rabbit cabbage is characterized by curly or serrated lobes. At a young age, the fungus is edible.
The plant's properties are unique: the fungus has an antitumor effect. It enhances the body's immune defenses and contains antimicrobial components. Curly Sparrasis is a rare species. On the territory of the Komi Republic, he was met near the Vychegda River. Unfortunately, this fungus is almost destroyed due to fires and due to the irrational deforestation of old-growth forests.
The Red Book of the Komi Republic is of considerable importance . Animals whose names appear in it are included in the protection lists of regional and more global significance. The pages of the Red Book serve as a reminder to humanity of the need to protect more than anything that nature has given us.