The South Ural Reserve is a place that everyone who is actively interested in the unique objects of the Russian Federation should visit. And it is recommended to do this not only to guests from near and far abroad, but also to the residents of our country. Why? The thing is that sometimes, having been born or living near amazing places, we do not find time to get to know them better.
It is worth going to the South Ural Reserve at any time of the year. At each time, it is beautiful and unique in its own way. On fine spring, summer and autumn days, here you can relax among the trees and grasses, breathe fresh air, and collect, depending on the season, flowers, berries or mushrooms. But in winter, the South Ural State Nature Reserve turns into a real paradise for lovers of skiing, playing snowballs or dazzling a huge snowman.
This article aims to talk about an amazing place located on the territory of our country. The South Ural Reserve actually has a reputation as a favorite vacation spot for local residents. But guests from abroad, unfortunately, do not visit here so often, although those who are fortunate enough to be here, as a rule, take home not only colorful photographs, but also amazing memories.
Good location
The South Ural Reserve, a photo of which can be found in almost every guidebook dedicated to the beauties of our country, is located simultaneously on the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan (90% in Beloretsky district) and in the Chelyabinsk region.
By the way, it should be noted that in the Katav-Ivanovo district of the reserve with an area of more than 24 thousand hectares, in the Chelyabinsk region, the highest and most picturesque area of the Southern Urals is located.
Mountain ranges encircling a nature park
The South Ural State Reserve is located in the most complex and at the same time highest part of the South Urals. The Mashak, Nary, Zigalga, Kumardak ridges and the Yamantau massif form the highest mountain node with the highest elevation at 1639 m above sea level. The western chain here is represented by peaks included in the whole system of Dry Mountains (Veselaya, Kruglyaya, Salya, Rossypnaya).
The Mashak ridge and the Yamantau massif also form a complex chain.
Rivers and water systems
In the reserve, the river system is included in the catchment of the river. White. All water arteries here can be classified as small rivers, because their length is less than 100 km. The largest are Small and Big Inzer, Tulmen, Yuryuzan and Roar.
In addition, there are 13 more rivers 10-19 km long. The total number of small streams and streams reaches a huge figure of 300 pcs.
Most of the rivers of the reserve are full-flowing, and the basin of the r. Tulmen. Summer-autumn low water occurs in June-October, but at the same time it is regularly interrupted by rain floods.
The rivers in the reserve freeze, usually in early November. Freeze-up often persists until the second decade of April.
But the least water here is recorded in August.
History of the reserve
Around the middle of the XVIII century. the territory on which the South Ural Reserve is now located was considered poorly developed.
For example, looking at a textbook on the history of the region, you can find out that by 1795 only three small villages were built here - Berdagulovo, Aripkulovo and Ilmyashevo.
People here in the XVIII-XIX centuries. mainly engaged in semi-nomadic cattle breeding, sometimes flight-keeping. By the way, it should be noted that so far the reserve trees have been preserved in the reserve.
In the XVIII century. the so-called mining factory stage of development of the Southern Urals began: iron smelters were built right on the border of the reserve. Large-scale, sometimes rash, and therefore destructive logging began. The construction of charcoal kilns also required a huge amount of resources. In addition, the development of iron ore deposits was carried out on the territory of the reserve.
In 1924, fortunately for the environment, the plants were stopped, then closed, and the forest industry was developed.
Flora of the South Ural Reserve
Today in the territory of this natural park there are 698 species of higher plants, 121 species of mushrooms, many mosses, soil algae, lichens.
It should be noted that many of them are listed in the Red Book of Russia, and 57 species are real relics of past geological eras.
Forests in the reserve cover 90% of the area, with coniferous (4 species) and deciduous trees (10 species) being the key forest-forming species.
Dark coniferous fir-spruce forests occupy 32% of the reserve’s area, where fir and Siberian spruce are especially common . Light coniferous forests are formed, as a rule, by the common pine and are located in the southern part of the reserve, and they, unfortunately, were most affected due to illegal logging.
Small massifs are also found in the reserve, with a predominance of gray alder, serpentine linden, pedunculate oak, Norway maple, winding and fluffy birch trees, various willows, bird cherry trees.
South Ural Reserve. Animals and birds
The reserve is home to 50 species of mammals, 260 - vertebrates, 20 - fish, 189 birds, as well as 5 species of reptiles and amphibians.
The fauna of mammals is mostly represented by forest inhabitants, but there are also two acclimatized species - the American mink and the muskrat.
Of ungulates, moose is especially common. The number of these animals is only 400-700 individuals, which is not so much as it might seem at first glance.
From time to time, walking along forest paths and lawns, you can also meet deer and wild boar. Permanently, the South Ural Reserve inhabits 13 species of predatory mammals, including a brown bear, columns, wolf, fox, lynx, marten, weasel, ermine, etc.
There is also a river otter disappearing in the republic . Familiar and fairly common inhabitants of this natural park can be considered a badger and a hare.
Within the territory of the reserve there are 19 species of rodents, of which the most common are squirrel, chipmunk, beaver, mice and field voles. A very rare species is, perhaps, a flying squirrel. Insectivores are represented by eight species, the most common are the hedgehog and mole, shrews, etc.
Today, exactly 189 species of birds live in the reserve. By the way, 11 of them have long been listed in the Red Book of our country: peregrine falcon, black stork, golden eagle, red-breasted goose, snake-eater, great spotted eagle, white-tailed eagle, eagle owl, gyrfalcon, magpie, magpie.
The fauna of birds mainly consists of forest birds, the most common are hazel grouse and capercaillie.
What role does the reserve play in nature conservation?
This question deserves special attention, therefore, it is still worthwhile to give a more detailed answer to it. What is the need for this place, if one, of course, exists?
The thing is that the South Ural Nature Reserve of Russia was formed so that the unique natural complexes of the South Urals are preserved in their natural, pristine form. This is especially true of chic spruce-fir forests. Rare species of local flora, fauna, natural swamps, alpine plant communities - all this should be preserved for future generations and for the good of our Motherland.
Interesting Facts
Talking about this natural park, one cannot fail to mention some of the most interesting data.
For example, not everyone knows that the total length of the reserve is 270 km. This territory is actually huge even on the scale of the Russian Federation.
The western part of the reserve is the right bank of the river. Yamashta, p. Tulmen and the eastern slopes of the so-called Dry Mountains. The northern cordon coincides with the republican border, which is about 40 km.
The reserve is located in the highest southern part of the Urals. Here, on its territory, special settlements were once founded for repressed persons and a camp for interned Germans.