“Denezhkin Kamen” is a nature reserve, which at least once in my life I heard not only the average Russians, but, most likely, the guests of our country, both from near and far abroad. What is the reason for this popularity? What is so special about this place? And why, in spite of everything, the Denezhkin Kamen nature reserve annually attracts more and more travelers from all over the globe?
Let's try to figure it out. In general, it should be noted that there are enough reasons for such a seemingly bold statement. These are location features, and the uniqueness of the local flora and fauna, and almost virgin nature, and unusually clean air.
Agree, all of the above cannot but attract tourists to the Denezhkin Kamen nature reserve. The sights of this place really deserve to be seen at least once in a lifetime. This article is precisely aimed at familiarizing readers with this amazing object on the map of Russia.
The need to create
The Denezhkin Kamen State Nature Reserve is not only a valuable conservation object of federal significance, but also a well-known research institution.
It was created to preserve and study the course of natural processes, the existing genetic fund, various natural phenomena, as well as unique ecosystems.
In addition, Denezhkin Kamen is a nature reserve, which is also valuable because it is unique among the rest in a number of ways. According to experts, its location plays an important role in this. How can you get to the "Denezhkin Stone"? The reserve is located in the Sverdlovsk region, namely on the eastern slope of the main Ural ridge, right at the intersection of various types of ecosystems.
To this day, quite large sections of the still primary taiga have been preserved in this place, which are a real reserve for many especially valuable, rare species of flora and fauna.
History of the reserve
The question about the creation of the reserve was first posed by the Ural scientific community in 1945.
A year later, by a decree of the Council of Ministers, this nature reserve was organized. Its area at that time was 135 thousand ha. It included the territory of the Sverdlovsk region and the site of the current Perm region. It should be noted that during the "reorganization" in 1951, the protected area was reduced to 36.1 thousand hectares. But by the end of the 50s, the restoration of the reserve began, and its territory was again increased, and immediately to 146.7 thousand hectares.
During the restructuring of Denezhkin Kamen, the reserve, which has great scientific significance, was reorganized into the State Fisheries, but by the end of the 70s. it has become unprofitable. That is why the Sverdlovsk and Perm regional executive committees in 1981 by their special decree determined the expediency of organizing a nature reserve again and prepared the relevant documents for the petition for its restoration. Only on December 29, 1989 the Sverdlovsk Regional Council officially decided the question of its organization.
Unique and healing local climate
"Denezhkin Stone" - a reserve with pronounced seasons. The warmest season is observed in July, when the average temperature reaches 13.6 degrees Celsius. The coldest time is in February, when on average the thermometer drops to -19.8 degrees Celsius.
It is interesting to note that on the eastern slopes there is much less rainfall annually than on the western. In general, it was noted that 2/3 of the precipitation falls on the warm season.
In the cold season, dense snow cover is stable and lasts up to 7 months. By the way, at the foot of the mountains, snowdrifts can be observed quite impressive - up to 130 cm.
Dark coniferous mixed fir-cedar-spruce taiga - an amazing object of Russia
“Denezhkin Stone” is a nature reserve, the fauna and flora of which deserve special attention. Most of the dark coniferous mixed fir-spruce-cedar taiga is in excellent condition. Fortunately for us, to this day she has not experienced the significant, as a rule, harmful influence of man.
So, in the upper tier of dark coniferous mixed taiga, such trees as fir, cedar and spruce are represented in completely different proportions, while the general appearance of the forest is almost unchanged, no particular prevalence of any species was noticed. All are found in more or less equal proportions.
In this unique natural site of Russia there is an admixture of ordinary birch. In the understory, mountain ash and aspen are found every now and then, which, incidentally, are very actively eaten by local moose.
But the grassy layer of dark coniferous mixed taiga is represented only by ferns and various kinds of coarse grass.
The rich fauna of this natural park
“Denezhkin Kamen” is a nature reserve whose animals, although quite diverse, are at the same time limited, of course, by typical taiga species.
Of the mammals, 37 species and 6 orders live here. In addition, 140 species of birds are found in the reserve (11 of them even nest), i.e. 67% of the total composition of this region. 10 species of birds are in the Red Book.
Among insectivores, moles and 7 species of shrew are known.
Of the bats, which, incidentally, are not well studied in the reserve, 4 species are in the Red Book of the Middle Urals. Now there are attempts to create a special group of scientists that will deal only with this type of animal.
Of the rodents, the common squirrel, Asiatic chipmunk, voles, beavers, lemmings are most often found. Rarely, but you can still meet here and flying squirrel.
Everywhere and in large quantities, the hare, the bear and the lynx live in the reserve.
The marten family is especially richly represented here , among which the most popular are wolverine, columns, sable, weasel, European and American mink , kidus, ermine and marten.
On the largest rivers of this reserve, several river otters live . The number of wolves is increasing here annually, although until 1959 they were not recorded in the reserve. You can rarely meet a fox, although earlier it was here an ordinary, fairly common predator.
Ungulates of the reserve are mainly represented by elk. Until 1959, nomads of wild reindeer were observed in the reserve, unfortunately, now there is no reliable information about it.
What is a mountain of the same name?
In general, it should be noted that Denezhkin Kamen is a nature reserve, where there are a lot of amazing objects.
For example, one cannot fail to mention the standing mountain range, which has four peaks at once. Its main peak is located on the eastern edge of the plateau, has a height of 1492 m.
Long spurs leave floridly from this plateau in all directions. The mountain of the same name with a natural park is considered one of the highest in the Urals. It should also be noted that on its slopes originate such important industrial rivers as Sharp, Supreya and Shegultan.
The role and significance of this natural site of Russia
Today, “Denezhkin Stone” is a nature reserve, the photo of which can be found in almost every guidebook dedicated to our country. And initially it was organized with the aim of preserving and detailed study of large tracts of primary mountain taiga, located in the center of the Northern Urals.
In addition, it plays an important role in recreational activities. The cordons of the reserve are used as base points for 1-2 day trips to adjacent territories, for example, to the Main Ural Range or Shemur.
In addition, not so long ago, a key ornithological territory was specially identified within the boundaries of the natural park, which has undeniable international significance as the most important nesting site for many taiga birds.
Useful and important information for modern tourists
It is worth paying attention to the fact that the Regulations on the reserve approved two tourist educational routes, walking and water, the territory of the Denezhkin Kamen reserve outside of the approved routes is closed for tourists.
The legislation provides for administrative liability (fine) for unauthorized visits to the state nature reserve, there is a penalty and for damage to the nature of the reserve, and preventive measures are quite severe and may well reach criminal liability.
Moreover, the ban on free access extends to the entire territory, plus the former Solva and the river. Sosva flowing within the boundaries of the reserve. That is, not only uphill, as it is mistakenly considered in the circles of inquisitive travelers.
If, in spite of everything, you still want to enter this territory, you will have to register with special authorities, pay a fee and become a member of a group moving around the reserve under the leadership of an experienced instructor.
Is it possible to get lost here?
Many tourists complain that almost all existing cartographic products contain incorrect information regarding the borders of the reserve, in some there are even advertisements for tourist routes right through the territory of Denezhkina Kamen, which makes it difficult to find maps. All this more than once led to conflicts between the administration and protection of the reserve and tourists.