The Russian North is a territory inaccessible and poorly studied. However, it does not cease to attract with its magnificence. The reserved lands of Karelia, Obonezhie, Vologda need protection and care. The Russian Arctic National Park is designed to preserve the natural and cultural wealth of the exclusive part of the Russian North.
Possessions of the Russian Arctic
In order to realize Russia's potential in the Arctic, preserve the special nature of the North and conduct scientific research in 1999, the deputies of the Arkhangelsk Regional Assembly decided to organize the Russian Arctic National Park. It was planned to unite natural complexes on Victoria Island, in the Barents Sea, on Franz Josef Land and in the north of Novaya Zemlya. After 10 years, Vladimir Putin ordered the establishment of the Russian Arctic National Park. The park included many protected islands, including about. Gemskerk, about. Loshkina, about. Northern, Oran Islands. The total area of the Russian Arctic is about 1.5 million hectares: the largest part is occupied by the water area (about 790 thousand hectares).
Reserve "Franz Josef Land"
One of the most northern territories of the world is Franz Josef Land, the archipelago is actually adjacent to the "Russian Arctic". The lands of the archipelago are considered protected since 1994, when the state natural reserve "Franz Josef Land" was created. The reserve, which is protected by the Russian Arctic, was formed to preserve the pristine nature, solve environmental problems, and reproduce resources. An important task is to protect the local fauna from human influence.
Polar bears live on the lands of the archipelago, for whom nature created a favorable atmosphere for the establishment of offspring.
Walrus rookeries occupy significant areas of the reserve. On the islands of Appolon and Stolichka, you can see rare Atlantic walruses on the rookery. There are numerous
bird markets.Unique microclimate
"Russian Arctic" (national park in the Arkhangelsk region), has a unique microclimate. The location of the park is peculiar. It is washed by two Arctic seas: the Barents and Kara. At the same time, the southwestern part of the Barents Sea is always free of ice, and the Kara Sea, on the contrary, does not freeze only in the summer near the estuaries. Such a feature of nature creates an exceptional microclimate in the park, in which there is such a diversity of fauna, which is not found in any Arctic territory.
Fauna
"Russian Arctic" is a national park with very few permanent inhabitants. There are only 11 species of animals, but they are all unique. Most of them are found in the Red Book of Russia: the Atlantic walrus and the new deer, the bowhead whale and polar bear, the narwhal and the minke whale Minke. The park plays an important role in protecting the Kara-Barents polar bear population. Arctic foxes (on dry hills) and lemmings (near ponds) live in the tundra zones of the park.
The Russian Arctic is an important habitat for the bowhead whale and its Svalbard population.
At the beginning of the 20th century, this rare mammal was on the verge of extinction. Now the population is increasing. In coastal waters, marine mammals such as sea hare,
harp seal, ringed seal, atlantic walrus, seal, narwhal are found.
Avifauna
The avifauna of the park is the largest in the Russian North. The conditions on the territory are favorable for permanent living and seasonal nesting. There is enough food here, especially in the warm period, there are many places for arranging nests, there are practically no predators. Terrestrial partridge and polar owl. On the rocky shores of the islands, guillemots, polar scrubbers, luriks, common winter beetle, white gull, burgomaster and other bird species nest.
With all the diversity of avifauna, representatives of different populations rarely settle together. Luriks inhabit coastal territories and do not leave them even during the winter quarters. The guillemots, on the contrary, only nest on the shore, and spend the rest of the time at sea, like seagulls, and warriors. Predators burgomaster and skuas settle near the large nesting sites of seabirds, serving them as food.
The Russian Arctic National Park (Arkhangelsk) is attractive for migratory birds. They arrive from southern countries at the beginning of spring, during the mating season. All passerines, with the exception of bugs, are migratory. Horned lark, Lapland plantain, Kamenka, tap dance nest in dry grass and under polar willows. The duck family is also represented in the "Russian Arctic", there are 12 species. Together with other freshwater birds, they nest and feed on Arctic lakes and streams. In September, colonies replenished by chicks migrate to warm places.
Cultural and historical heritage
The Russian Arctic National Park is a place with a special historical and cultural heritage. Here are concentrated objects related to the history of the discovery of the Arctic. It is known that in the 11-12 centuries fishing was carried out on the territory of the park, walrus was hunted because of their fangs, Arctic foxes because of their exceptional fur, and birds with rare feathers. The first European navigator to reach New Earth was the Englishman Hugh Willoughby. His ship set off in 1553 to search for the northern passage from Europe to China. Having reached the south of Novaya Zemlya and made a stop at the estuary of the Varzin River, the entire crew died under mysterious circumstances, possibly from carbon monoxide. The famous Dutch navigator Willim Barents reached the New Earth at the end of the 16th century. He sailed near the northern coast of Novaya Zemlya, wintered on the island with the crew. On the way back, the seafarer was mortally ill with scurvy. The crew returned home with valuable scientific observations.
The first Russian navigator to go to Novaya Zemlya was Fedor Rozmyslov. He spent on the expedition for about a year, during which he made notes, described the territory and its features, carried out meteorological observations and geodetic works. His crew reached the mouth of Matochkin Shara and was forced to return to Arkhangelsk. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the Novaya Zemlya archipelago began to be visited more often, especially by Russian researchers. In 1909, Vladimir Rusanov, a Russian navigator, made the first reliable cartographic description of Novaya Zemlya. In Soviet times, various studies were carried out on the territory of the present park.
Currently, ecotourism is developing here.
Everyone can visit the Russian Arctic National Park. Photos and videos can be taken from the sides of cruisers following from Murmansk, and during the numerous moorings to the shores of the islands.