The Red Book of the Volgograd Region is a special document regulating the procedure for the protection of plants and animals in this region. All flora and fauna objects are presented in a list form, where on the contrary to each of them a rarity level from 1 (highest threat level) to 7 (out of danger) is indicated. There are also representatives on the list, opposite which stands 0. This means that they have disappeared from this region. In addition, the nature of the Volgograd region, or rather, samples of its especially rare representatives, are stored in a special genetic bank. It was created in 2010. The Red Book of the Volgograd Region is not only flora and fauna, but also rare soils that are on the verge of extinction.
History
The first attempts to attract the public to the problems of plant and animal protection were back in the early 90s of the XX century. It was then that the first Red Book of the Volgograd Region was released. It was an ordinary non-fiction publication that had no legal effect. Further, several more similar publications came out, and only in 2004, according to the Decree of the Head of Administration, an official list was issued. On its basis, the Red Book of the Volgograd Region was compiled: animals (1 volume), plants and mushrooms (2 volume).
It should be said that the list of protected objects is very mobile: some representatives are excluded from it, while others, on the contrary, are included. So it was, for example, with a small swan, which replenished the list in 2010.
In 2011, an electronic version of the publication was released. It should be said that the Special Committee for Environmental Protection in this region is responsible for the Red Book. A special commission has been created on its basis, which is engaged in the formation of a list of representatives of flora and fauna in need of special protective measures.
Invertebrates
The list of protected nature objects of the Volgograd region includes representatives of many groups and classes. To begin with, it should be said about invertebrates. So, the medical leech is included in the Red Book of the Volgograd Region. This particular ringed worm lives in fresh water, prefers a muddy bottom and clean water.
In appearance, the leech resembles its relative, a ringed worm, but the body has a little flattened. The mouth opening is in the form of a suction cup, with the help of which the invertebrate gets its own food - blood. This product is stored in the stomach of a leech for a record long time - several months. It's all about the special bacteria that live in the creature’s stomach, it is they that prevent blood clotting. Any blood is suitable for this invertebrate.
The widespread use of leeches in medicine (they help alleviate the condition with varicose veins, all kinds of skin lesions) has become the main limiting factor - they were caught in huge quantities. However, this factor disappeared after they began to apply bloodletting techniques, and also learned to withdraw leeches on an industrial scale. Another limiting factor is the decline in the frog population. It is their blood that the young leeches feed.
Another representative of invertebrates, which is contained in the Red Book of the Volgograd Region, is thick barley. This is a bivalve mollusk that lives in turbulent clean rivers. The length of the shell of the barley reaches a little more than 7 centimeters. Life expectancy is long enough: mollusks that lived 22 years were recorded. The main limiting factor is the deterioration of water quality and, as a consequence, a reduction in the population of river fish in which the larvae of these invertebrates parasitize.
Arthropods
Of the class of crustaceans included in the Red Book of the Volgograd region, summer shield should be noted. This species, living unchanged on our planet for millions of years, is now threateningly declining. This small crustacean lives in shallow reservoirs with a depth of 20 cm to 2 meters. Also suitable are puddles, ravines, ditches, flooded meadows. Shields have a special survival system: larvae develop and hatch in a short time, then quickly become sexually mature. This is a very important habitat in shallow waters that can dry quickly. In addition, as a rule, shields are located at the top of the food chain in their habitat. However, their number is reduced due to drainage of water bodies (larvae do not have time to go through the cycle).
Another crustacean that lives in puddles and shallow reservoirs is chyrocephalus chorribilis. He has no shell, his body reaches only 16 mm. The crustacean is in constant motion, it moves through puddles in search of food - plankton, animal or vegetable. It disappears due to a decrease in the number of habitats.
Tanimastics pond is also especially protected in the Volgograd region. The crustacean has a small size (13 mm), belongs to the naked gill-footed, lives mainly in puddles. The limiting factor for this creature is the pollution of the soils on which its habitat forms.
Also, of small crustaceans, a small branchynacta and streptocephalus of the terrestrial should be noted. The limiting factors and habitats are similar to those described above.
Of the representatives of arachnids, the Mediterranean Scorpion entered the Red Book of the Volgograd Region. Its name shows where this representative is most common, but similar creatures live in the Volgograd region. Prefer sandy soils: dunes, desert areas, well warmed by the sun. They feed on other insects: spiders, flies, small butterflies.
Insects
In total, 59 species of insects are listed in the Red Book of the Volgograd Region. Let us analyze those for which ecologists are most afraid, that is, they are marked in the publication by the numbers 1 or 2.
Red-billed Kornegryz - the last time this beetle lives exclusively in the Lower Volga region was seen on the territory of the region in 1994. The habitat is Lake Elton.
Another endangered species - bronze smooth. This representative of lamellae prefers to settle on old, centuries-old trees. All because bronze larvae develop in rotten bark, and adults feed on tree sap. Oak groves are most preferred, but are also found on fruit trees, for example, apple trees and pears. The reduction in numbers is associated with the felling of old plantations.
The beetle from the family of weevils — the four-spotted stephanocleonus — is especially protected in the Volgograd region. This ash-gray insect reaches 1.5 centimeters in length. The preferred habitat is the steppe, but larvae lays in the soil. Plowing and development of new lands is the main limiting factor.
Butterflies are also protected in the region. We will name several species: a dandelion silkworm, a small peacock-eye, an aktonia titania, a lady-bear, a dawn, zegris, lucina, and a Lymeca rhyme. The extinction of this species of insects is associated with the destruction of their habitats: forests, meadows and shrubs.
Fish
Some inhabitants of reservoirs also need special protection in the Volgograd region. Here are some representatives. Firstly, these are lampreys, Caspian and Ukrainian. If the latter was seen recently in the Volga basin (in the Sura River), then the Caspian lived here once, but practically disappeared after the construction of the Volgograd Dam. Ukrainian lamprey is smaller than Caspian: body length 20 cm, while the latter reaches 55 cm.
Animals of the Volgograd region, listed in the Red Book, are also all kinds of fish. So, the sterlet is especially protected here. This is a small representative of the sturgeon family, which reaches 125 centimeters in length. The predator prefers small invertebrates, sometimes eats caviar. Lives up to 30 years. The main limiting factors are poaching (valuable commercial fish) and water pollution. Sterlet prefers crystal clear ponds.
The trout, Azov beluga and Volga herring have practically disappeared from the waters of the region.
Reptiles
What other representatives does the Red Book of the Volgograd Region include? Her animals are diverse, among them there are representatives of reptiles.
For example, ordinary copperfish. Although this snake from a family already familiar to humans is not dangerous, it is destroyed in the same way as its habitat - forest glades, well warmed by the sun. Copper can have both a gray color, and yellow-brown and even brown. Its main difference is the strip passing through the eye.
Two types of snakes are protected in the Volgograd Region : yellow-bellied and four-lane. These ones already climb trees well, where they get their own food. They are not a threat to humans.
The only representative of the Red Book of the Volgograd region that is dangerous to humans is the viper Nikolsky. This snake has an even black color. Prefers moist deciduous forests in river valleys. The main limiting factor is habitat destruction, capture and mixing with the common viper.
Birds
Another class of animals guarded by the Red Book of the Volgograd Region is birds. There are 54 species here. We will analyze the most vulnerable.
Firstly, it is worth paying attention to the representatives of ducks. This is a squeak, and a marble teal, also a white-eyed and black-headed duck. The last bird is a very rare visitor to the Volgograd region due to the fact that it does not have permanent nesting sites. Also, the number of ducks is influenced by human activities associated with the destruction of their habitats. Unauthorized hunting is another factor.
Of the birds of prey, cops, steppe harrier, great spotted spotted eagle, saker, peregrine falcon and steppe kest cause particular concern.
Of the chicken, grouse and bustard should be distinguished. The first bird lives in forest edges in packs, the second prefers the steppes. Their enemy is man. Bustard disappears due to the development of steppes for arable land, and grouse for the most part due to unauthorized hunting.
Mammals
The mammals of the Volgograd region, listed in the Red Book, are Russian desman (its population has almost disappeared due to pollution of water bodies and destruction of holes), as well as rodents (bogey jerboa and midday gerbil). Of the predators, only the representative of the marten family, the bandaging, is of particular concern.
Plants
Not only representatives of the fauna are protected by the Red Book of the Volgograd Region. Plants are also represented in it. We will analyze some of them. It is worth saying that here you can meet various representatives of the fauna - from mosses and lichens to mushrooms.
So, under the special protection took the Red Book of the Volgograd region plants that are representatives of bryophytes. There are a lot of them. We list especially rare ones: the anomodon is long-leaved, the tree-shaped climacium, the Wissgrilli taxiphyllum, and the encalyptus are fertile.
Of ferns, it is worth highlighting bristly marsilia. This unique plant lives in temporary water bodies, so its population depends on the amount of precipitation in the year. Another limiting factor is human economic activity: the development of meadows for pasture.
Primroses of the Volgograd region are especially protected. The Red Book takes protection, for example, thin-leaved peony, which blooms by early May. This beautiful flower attracts attention, which is why it is often plucked for bouquets. In addition, the area of distribution is prone to trampling during grazing. Another primrose of the Red Book is the hazel grouse Russian, belonging to the family of daylilies. Gesner's tulips and two-flowered are also protected by the Red Book of the Volgograd Region. Plants included in it are forbidden to pick and use even for personal purposes.