The article tells about one of the reserves of the Far East. The Bolshehekhtsir Nature Reserve, despite its rather modest size, is famous for its great biodiversity.
History of creation
The first settlement on the territory of the modern reserve appeared during the laying of the city of Khabarovsk (approximately 1858). It settled in the area of the Chirka River. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the intensive development of the wealth of Greater Khekhtsir was observed. At the same time, logging operations were carried out here, and tar and lime plants began to function. The intensive development of natural resources has led to the fact that there has been an irreversible change in the landscapes of the lands of the Far East. Therefore, there was a need for measures to preserve certain natural complexes.
For this reason, in 1946 Khekhtsir was declared a wildlife sanctuary of local importance. His task was to preserve endangered and rare animals.
And in 1963, the Bolshekhekhtsir State Reserve was created on the territory of more than 46,000 hectares. For many years he was subordinate to various departments and only in 1976 he gained the status of an independent institution.
The purpose of creating the Bolshekhekhtsirsky Reserve is to preserve a diverse wildlife and the surrounding natural resources. It is located within the Greater Khekhtsir Range, it is not far from Khabarovsk. Therefore, getting to the reserve is not at all difficult.
Initially, it was planned to create a national park in these parts. However, later it turned out that the region is of great value, and therefore the conservation area received the status of a reserve.
Location
The Bolshehekhtsir State Nature Reserve is located in the Khabarovsk region, and more precisely in the south of the Khabarovsk Territory, 20 kilometers from the city.
The territory of the reserved territory covers not only the Bolshoi Khekhtsir Range, but also adjacent foothill loops. The southeastern part is located in a swampy lowland. The reserve also includes land in the floodplain of the Ussuri River.
On its territory there are piedmont, plain and mountainous reliefs. The highest point is Mount Big Khekhtsir. From north to south, the reserve stretches for 25 kilometers and 34 - from west to east. In the south, the border of the territory runs along the Chirke River, and in the west it coincides with the border of the PRC along the Ussuri River. But in the northeast and east, the reserve borders on a suburb of Khabarovsk.
Species diversity
The reserve is characterized by a large species diversity, which is famous for the lands of the Far East. In a relatively small area, researchers recorded: 1017 species of higher plants, 148 lichens, 218 mosses, 825 mushrooms, 222 species of birds, 8 reptiles and 50 mammals. It is interesting that southern and northern biological complexes are found in the protected area, which causes such a variety.
Nature reserve
The Bolshehehtsirsky Nature Reserve impresses with its plant world. Here you can see a variety of herbs and trees in a bizarre combination of northern and southern forms. Flora has 755 species of vascular plants. During a thorough study of the territories by specialists, many such species were found that are generally uncharacteristic of this region. Among them: the Ussuri rose, the violet of Myldorf, raspberry Komarova, viburnum Buryat and many others. In addition, there are many varieties of the Rosaceae family. All of them vary in shape, color and taste. Wild fruit trees are of incredible value to breeders because they have such valuable qualities as unpretentiousness, frost resistance, and immunity to pests and diseases.
A rare plant grows in the reservoirs of the reserve - the brazhenia of Schreber, which is listed in the Red Book.
Protected forests
The Bolshekhekhtsir Nature Reserve is 91% covered with forests. Cedars, spruce, larch, birch, aspen, ash and oaks prevail. Fifty years of ruthless felling and conflagration have led to the fact that coniferous forests have halved, and deciduous, respectively, increased. Especially a lot of oak trees, aspen, white birch forests. Two belts stand out on Bolshoi Khekhtsir: spruce-fir and cedar-broad-leaved.
Deciduous forests prevail on the plains of the reserve. Due to clear-cutting, their area has decreased by 30% over 50 years. In their place appeared shrubbery, alder, birch and aspen. Oak and cedar forests also formed. In addition, there are maple, Amur linden and Daurian birch. In the valley areas, willows and alder forests predominate.
Bolshehehtsirsky reserve: animals
The wealth of local lands consists not only of vegetation. The Bolshehehtsirsky Reserve has an equally diverse fauna. Due to the confluence of two large rivers of the Far East, its territory is at the intersection of animal migration routes.
A significant loss in the animal kingdom of the region was the complete disappearance of the tigers that previously lived in these territories. But the population of sables, previously destroyed, has now been restored.
Of small rodents, an eastern vole, a field mouse, and a gray rat live here. Amur hedgehog is found on forest-meadow areas. From ungulates you can find roe deer, red deer, wild boar. In addition, the Bolshehekhtsirsky Reserve (Khabarovsk Territory) is inhabited by predators: foxes, raccoon dogs, badgers. And in the foothills of Khekhtsir you can even meet wolves. Otters live on the Chirka River and its tributaries. In the east of the reserve, traces of the Amur forest cat are regularly noticed. Also in the forests there is a brown and a white-breasted bear. The laconic coat of arms of the Bolshekhekhtsirsky reserve contains an image of a bear on a background of mountains. Such an emblem has long become a symbol of organization.
Common inhabitants of forests are flying squirrels, chipmunks. The bird world is no less diverse. Among the rare representatives of birds, a white-tailed eagle should be distinguished. But the number of rare mandarin ducks is kept at a stable level. The attraction of the reserve can be considered a paradise flycatcher. In the protected areas, yellow-throated buntings, scallops, short-tails, forest thrushes, and nightingales-whistlers live in the protected areas.
In foothill and floodplain areas there are a large number of reptiles. There is an Amur snake, an oriental muzzle, a soft-bodied turtle. The most numerous amphibians are common toad, Far Eastern frog, tree frog.
Scientific work
What activities does the Bolshekhekhtsirsky Nature Reserve carry out? What is protected on its territory? All objects located in the reserve area are under the supervision of employees who are faced with a number of tasks, and among them in the first place is the protection and augmentation of the existing fund. However, one should not forget that the scientific department of the reserve monitors the state of flora, fauna, forest plantations. The data obtained are compared with previous years to adequately assess the work done. All of them are recorded in the Annals of Nature. For their management, employees are constantly engaged in field observations. Currently, workers have registered 2850 species of insects. In addition, the rarest representative of the insect world was discovered - corridor. The chronicle of nature was started by workers in 1964, it consists of sections: relief and soil, climate and weather, calendar of nature, water, territory, wildlife and fauna, vegetation and flora. In all these areas, work is being carried out by the reserve staff at the present time.
Ecological trail
It is worth noting that the Bolshekhekhtsirsky Reserve (the reviews are given in the article) is engaged not only in scientific and environmental work, but also organizes fascinating walks along the ecological path of the protected forest. Within an hour, tourists walk 0.6 kilometers and learn from the guide interesting facts about plants and animals of the region. Guests have the opportunity to see with their own eyes the rarest plants. But meeting the animals is unlikely to succeed, because they lead a more hidden lifestyle and, as a rule, avoid meeting with people.
During the walk, tourists also visit the shore of the Amur canal, they have a unique opportunity to see the spur of Khekhtsir and the border separating the territories of two powers - China and Russia. If you want to visit the reserve, then you should know that there is a visit center under the name "Khekhtsir". It offers accommodation in a guest house.
According to tourists, you should definitely visit the reserve and see its unique places. And the appearance of a tourist center on its territory makes it possible to have a great weekend in the lap of nature in a beautiful forest.
There is something to see in the reserve. In spring and summer, you can see numerous birds and listen to their singing. Many representatives of feathered local places are endemic.
How to get to the reserve?
The reserve is located near Khabarovsk. You can get to the administration from the city by bus number 7. And to the territory you should take a minibus number 109 to the village of Korfovsky, and then get on foot. You can also take bus number 107 and get to the village of Kazakevichevo.
Outsiders are prohibited from entering the reserve. But this does not mean that it should not be visited at all. Everyone can walk along the ecological route and learn a lot about the local animals and plants.
Museum of Nature
The nature museum operates on the territory of the reserve. The guides familiarize visitors with the most unusual and interesting representatives of the Ussuri taiga. In the museum you can see stunning exhibits - Khekhtsir minerals, traces of animals and a collection of insects, original crafts from natural materials. Groups of tourists have the opportunity to apply for a visit to the reserve, since there is no free access to the territory.
Territory Protection
To fulfill the assigned environmental functions, the territory is closed to people. All natural objects are under the supervision of scientific staff. But at the same time, the administration is conducting recreational activities that allow visits to protected lands by organized groups by prior arrangement. Strict regime control is associated not only with the protection of territories and wildlife, but also with the proximity of the border with China.