No matter how we love the stone jungle, it still draws to nature. Someone creates green oases in their country house, someone enjoys nature in urban squares. And those who want to completely immerse themselves in the secrets of the animal and plant world, visit the national parks and reserves of Moscow and the Moscow region.
Green ring
Some green spaces are located near the very center of the city, for example , Losiny Ostrov National Park, while others are relatively close. The green ring of the capital includes the reserves of the Moscow region, the list of which is as follows:
- Oksky
- Prioksko-Terrasny,
- Central Forest.
The remaining green monuments are national parks: Elk Island, Ugra, Pleshcheevo Lake, as well as Smolensk Lake District.
National parks and reserves of the Moscow region are islands of unspoiled nature. Thousands of people flock here to take a break from the bustle of the city, to get acquainted with the local inhabitants of flora and fauna. In the Moscow region, four natural territories of federal significance are under special supervision, the remaining 242 are especially protected by the region and the city.
Elk Island National Park
This is the longest forest park in Europe from the city. The park was created with the aim of preserving nature and creating conditions for cultural and organized recreation. The national park includes six forest parks, two of them are located within the city, and the rest are in the region. The forest park area is about 12 thousand hectares. Only 10 km from the center of Moscow moose and sika deer, wild boars, squirrels, minks, muskrats and beavers live.
Ecological route
The territory of the national park is unique in that nature is preserved here in all its diversity. Flora is represented by coniferous, birch, broad-leaved forests with sections of meadows and marshes, the sources of Yauza with lakes.
Here you will see the largest mammals in the Moscow region - moose. Get to know their life in vivo. Ecological excursions offer visitors all directions, you can choose any route. Game programs have been prepared for children.
Prioksko-Terrasny Reserve
The Moscow region carefully preserves the unshakable nature of the reserve, whose name is associated with the proximity of the Oka River. Its coastal sand covers limestone and clay in almost the entire territory. Rain water, passing through the sand, lingers on clay layers, thereby creating favorable conditions for feeding almost the entire flora. Chemical processes in limestones, resulting from precipitation, covered the entire territory of the reserve with many funnels. There are several hundred of them, they were formed as a result of subsidence of the earth. The dimensions of the funnels range from a few decimeters to twenty meters.
Flora
The Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve (Moscow Region) is rich in plant species that can be found from the southern taiga to the steppes. It’s a little warmer - and flowering in the reserve occurs continuously until late autumn, some plants are replaced by others. In the spring, on the lawns there is a carpet of blue forget-me-nots; in the wooded part, Corydalis and Lungwort open. In the clearings, the color of strawberries is replaced by a veil of different herbs, pink cloves open in the hills, and lilies of the valley whiten in the clearings in the forest. In mid-summer, the air is filled with the scent of linden. August is the month of flowering lilac heather. The beginning of autumn - and the clusters of viburnum blush. The reserve is especially beautiful in the golden autumn, on sunny days. Under protection are rare species of plants.
Fauna
The fauna of the reserve is typical of the Russian Plain. Species characteristic of broad-leaved forests inhabit the Prioksky zone: pine marten, red vole, hazel dormouse, crested titmouse and others. The taiga fauna is represented by such species as capercaillie, hazel grouse, white hare, black woodpecker, and siskin. You can find species of animals that are characteristic of the forest-steppe and steppe. In the forest glades there are a brown hare, a corral, hoopoe, quail, field vole, house owl and others.
From predatory animals seven species constantly live. The most common species is the fox. The usual inhabitants of the forests are not numerous: weasel, badger, ermine, marten. There are many ungulate animals, such as moose.
There is a bison nursery in the reserve; it played a fundamental role in saving this species of ungulates. Calves grow under natural conditions, almost not knowing the person, since the cogs themselves feed them. For all the years of breeding, about 250 purebred animals were exported to the wild. Today, bison live in herds, in areas of their former habitat.
Conclusion
Reserves of the Moscow Region are natural monuments located in the system of territories specially protected by the state. They are necessary for relaxation. Nature, like a healing balm, helps a soul weary of a city to restore lost strength. Reserves of the Moscow region will open up a wonderful world of untouched beauty and will teach you to respect the environment.