Kostomuksha reserve is a unique phenomenon. If only because it is located in two countries: Russia and Finland. This conservation area is part of a large complex created in 1990 by Finland and our country. It is called "Friendship": Kostomuksha Reserve (Russia) and five specially protected natural territories (Finland). Thus, environmentalists of the two countries take care of the safety of this unique beautiful taiga zone. Forests with their riches, cleanest lakes with spawning fish, bubbling rivers, animals and birds - these are the natural objects that the reserve near Kostomuksha is famous for.
History
The city that gave the name to the reserve, Kostomuksha, is quite young. It arose around a mining complex built here in 1982 by the forces of Russia and Finland. The enterprise is engaged in the production of iron ore raw materials. It is no secret that this type of production negatively affects the environmental situation. Accordingly, in 1983, lands were identified that must be protected from such harmful influence.
So the Kostomuksha reserve appeared in Karelia. Unfortunately, initially its territory was not so vast, so nevertheless some natural objects were threatened. Only in 1991, when it merged with the Finnish protected area, did the lands reach today's 47,569 hectares.
Surprisingly, during the Great War of 1941-1945. this territory is practically not affected. Of course, in some places traces of the fighting remained, but they are very insignificant.
Geographical position
Where is Kostomuksha reserve located? Its territory runs from the west along the border with Finland along the coast of Lake Kamennoe. If we talk about the length, then between the southern and northern points 27 kilometers, fifteen kilometers between the western and eastern sides.
It is not difficult to get to it: from Petrozavodsk it is necessary to get to Kostomuksha, it is about 500 kilometers. The route runs various public transport (rail and bus). You can also drive directly from St. Petersburg to Kostomuksha. Then drive another 25 kilometers from the city. It should be noted that a special pass is required to visit the reserve, which can be ordered on the official website.
Climate
The protection zone of the Kostomuksha reserve lies in the Atlantic-Arctic zone. However, the nearby Gulf Stream provides fairly mild winters: rarely the temperature drops below -10 degrees. In addition, the plants are reliably protected by a thick snow cover, which can lie here until May.
The maximum summer temperature is +17 degrees. Autumn comes early: in September, the first frosts occur.
Lakes
The heart of the Kostomuksha reserve is Kamennoe Lake. By the way, initially it appeared in his name. This pond up to 26 meters deep is a very picturesque place, located in the ring of rich taiga forests. The lake has a large number of large and small islands, bays and bays are also frequent in it. Its coastline is not even, but very rugged.
Even the nature of the shores varies: from low-marshy from the south to stony-sandy in the north. From ancient times, Karelians settled near the reservoir. They planted pastures, ran households and interacted closely with Finnish neighbors.
The life of not only the inhabitants of the reserve, but also the inhabitants of Kostomuksha depends on the purity of the water of the Stone Lake, because it is from it that water is supplied to the cranes of the townspeople.
Only one river flows from the reservoir, named the same as the Kamennaya lake. It is notable for its wild temper and changeability: the stormy waters of the rapids (among which the most famous Tsar threshold) are replaced by a calm course.
The river is also unique in that it is on it that salmon goes during the spawning season, and salmon that lives in the lake of the same name descends here for breeding.
In total, the Kostomuksha Reserve (Republic of Karelia) has about 250 shallow lakes, but only Kamennoye boasts clear water (visibility reaches 5 meters). All lakes, communicating with each other, belong to the Bay of the White Sea.
The woods
Kostomuksha reserve is mostly forests, fortunately, not affected by human activities. Most of all, pine forests prevail in the territory, spruce forests are a little less common. Deciduous birch forests are very few.
A large number of pines in the reserve is explained by the prevailing scarce stony soils of the taiga. It is these trees that grow on the slopes of the hills, their neighbors - mountain ash, juniper. At the foot of the soil is more supplied with nutrients, which is why pine here is replaced by spruce shoots.
Birch forests are found only on the border of the reserve.
Plants
The fauna and fauna of the Kostomuksha reserve is determined by the taiga zone - it is not rich enough. However, rare plants and animals are found here.
So, at Kamennoye Lake you can meet the Dortman lobelia. This plant is a kind of indicator of water purity, lives only in crystalline, unpolluted waters.
Lobelia is so rare that it is listed in the Red Book. The plant is very beautiful: a sufficiently long stem is crowned with a brush with white flowers that resemble bells in shape.
Lobelia is not the only rare plant in the reserve. There are others here. For example, curly hops, double leaf luba, Selkirka violet - only about 300 species. Taiga is the kingdom of mosses and lichens. There are a great many of them. Coniferous, marshy places are a wonderful environment for their reproduction.
Along the banks of the Kamennaya River from the southern part of the reserve, viburnum, bird cherry and rosehip grow. There is also a wolf bite - a very rare plant of these places.
Kostomuksha Nature Reserve is a kingdom of berries. Here bright cloudberries, blueberries, blueberries, bones and others grow. By the way, collecting these wealth in the territory is prohibited.
Birds
Talk about small animals should start with the birds. Like the entire animal kingdom, they are represented by a few species. Many are listed in the Red Book. We list the most typical.
Goose Goose. It is distinguished by its rather large size, a dark beak, which is divided by a bright orange stripe. Both male and female are identical in color: gray-brown in color. You can distinguish the gender of birds only by the size of the males - they are larger. As for habits, even though the nests of these geese are located near the pond, in the daytime they prefer to go far to land, returning to the water only for the night.
Whooper Swan. A large, majestic bird of white color.
Floats on water, proudly lifting his neck without bending it. The black tip is clearly visible on the bright yellow beak. It is simple to distinguish a whooper from his congenerous mute: the latter bends its neck and is an order of magnitude larger.
As for rare birds of prey, here you can find peregrine falcon, white-tailed eagle, golden eagle and osprey.
Grouse, partridge, black-throated gag, mallard, gogol and others are very common.
Small animals of the reserve
Among small mammals it is worth noting all kinds of rodents: squirrels, shrews, muskrats, several species of voles are not uncommon. The hare prefers to settle along the shores of Stone Lake.
Among the inhabitants it is worth highlighting the Canadian beavers. These nocturnal animals settle along the banks of water bodies. They live in huts built in a special way. From the dwellings there are exits into the water, because beavers are wonderful swimmers. Prefers to eat tree bark for food.
Another interesting animal is a flying squirrel. A very small species in our country.
The animal is very small, a little smaller than an ordinary squirrel. The flying squirrel is distinguished by a special skin fold, by straightening which the animal is able to plan over long distances.
The otter, a representative of the marten family , is very rare for these places . The body of the animal is quite large, there are individuals reaching 95 cm. The fur is very beautiful, durable. The tail is practically devoid of fur, but very muscular. The otter is a wonderful swimmer, in addition to its tail, paws with membranes and a streamlined body shape help her.
Among other representatives of the marten, the Kostomuksha reserve is inhabited by weasels, martens, American minks, ermines.
Large animals of the reserve
Of the large animals, it is worth noting the population of forest reindeer. It is not for nothing that this animal is located on the coat of arms of the Kostomuksha Reserve. For all tens of thousands of hectares of their territory, there are only 32 individuals.
Animals are attracted to young deciduous trees - the basis of the diet. Before winter migration, deer are here, after which they gather in herds and wander far from the reserve.
Kostomuksha Nature Reserve - the habitat of moose. Also wild boars and roe deer began to enter the territory.
There are also animals familiar to the taiga: wolves, foxes, wolverines and lynxes are not uncommon. Bears are also regulars here.