Crimean Nature Reserve is the largest reserve Crimean peninsula: its territory covers more than 44.1 thousand hectares. Everyone knows that it consists of 5 forest districts and the ornithological branch “” in Razdolnoye. In addition, the famous Karkinitsky ornithological reserve with a water area of ​​about 25 thousand hectares is also subordinate to the reserve.

The Crimean Nature Reserve was founded on the site of the “Imperial Hunting Reserve” in 1913. Little known is that for the imperial hunting reserve a special service rangers, and near Mount Bolshaya Chuchel, sections of the forest were fenced off, which were inhabited by Dagestan aurochs, Caucasian deer and bezoar goats, Corsican bison and mouflons brought to the peninsula. According to the Decree of the Council of People's Commissars Soviet Russia On July 30, 1923, a reserve with an area of ​​about 23 thousand hectares was formed on the territory of the imperial reserve. Crimean Nature Reserve

During the Second World War, more than one and a half hectares of protected forests in the reserve were destroyed by fires, the bison population was destroyed one hundred percent, and a lot of roe deer, deer and other rare animals were exterminated.

After the end of the war the area Crimean Nature Reserve was expanded to 30.3 thousand hectares, but in 1957 the reserve was transformed into the Crimean State Game Reserve, and the reserve became an elite hunting ground for high-ranking Soviet and foreign officials.

In the summer of 1991, these territories were returned to the status of a reserve. A little later, in 1949, a branch of the Crimean Nature Reserve “Swan Islands” was also formed.

The main part of the reserve is located in the center of the Main Range of the Crimean Mountains. Undoubtedly, it is worth mentioning that in the Crimean Nature Reserve there are Gurzufskaya and Yalta yayla, -yayla and Babugan-yayla, which are the highest mountain ranges of the Crimean peninsula. There are also such mountain peaks as 1545 m high, Chernaya (1311 m), Bolshaya Chuchel (1387 m).

The large amount of precipitation that falls in the reserve and the dense foliage cover of the reserve mean that in its central part there are the sources of many Crimean rivers, including Derekoyki, Dongi, Marta, Ulu-Uzen, Avunda, Tavelchuk, Kosse. In total, about 300 mountain springs originate in the reserve. The most famous of them is Savlukh-Su, which contains silver ions in water, which gives it medicinal qualities.

A huge part of the forming rocks in mountainous area The reserve consists of limestone rocks, which have become the reason for the fairly wide distribution of various karst wells, cavities, grottoes, caves and mines.

The climate features of the mountainous part of the reserve depend on the direction of the mountain ranges, the height and position of the slopes. Thus, from the foot of the mountains to the peaks, the average monthly temperature decreases, but the average annual precipitation increases significantly. Because if average temperature in winter (January) at the foot of the mountains it is +2°C, in summer (July) - +22°C, then high temperatures below 0°C can last up to 4 months, and the summer here is not very mild and warm. As strange as it may seem, the amount of precipitation at the base of the northern slopes is no more than 470 mm, while on the yayla it exceeds 1000 mm per year, with most of the precipitation falling during the cold season.

The vegetation of the Crimean Nature Reserve varies in richness and numbers more than 1,200 flora representatives, which is almost half of the entire Crimean flora. Please note that of these, 29 plant species are listed in the European Red Book, namely Crimean cotoneaster, Crimean eremur, Dzevanovsky thyme, Siberian Sobolevsky, red-headed and purple lagozeris, prangos tripartite, and 9 plant species are protected according to the Berne Convention.

About a hundred species of plants and fungi that grow in the reserve are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine: leafless mullet, large astrantia, summer, purple and salep whiteflower, hairy feather grass, Pallas's larkspur, pale and male orchis, deciduous griffola, curly sparassis, green-flowered lyubka, yew berry, narrow-leaved saffron, Yailin tar, Crimean lumbago, coastal chill, stinking juniper, red camelina and other species.

The location of vegetation groups within the reserve depends on altitude. Everyone knows that only oak forests of fluffy oak and eastern hornbeam, and up to a height of 700-750 m there are forests of sessile oak, ash and common hornbeam. And there is no need to even mention that even higher there is a belt of thick hornbeam and beech forests from Crimean beech, as well as hornbeam and beech forests.
Such forests rise close to the yayls. Imagine one fact: along with hornbeams and beeches, the Stephen maple, endemic to the Crimea, quite often grows, as well as euonymus, rowan, and dogwood.

On the southern slope of the Main Ridge, the composition of the flora is significantly different, and here oak trees grow up to a height of 400 m. pine forests, which consist of rocky and fluffy oaks and Crimean pine or Pallas pine. Please note that beech and pine forests grow above 400-450 meters, and at altitudes from 1100-1200 m forest vegetation just changes to steppe and meadow, thereby giving rise to high-mountain meadows, which on the Crimean Peninsula are called yayla.

Yayly is truly a kingdom of plants, where from approximately the end of April until autumn the following flowers bloom: adonis, crocuses, irises, speedwell, violets, adonis, sleep-grass, Bieberstein's crab or Crimean edelweiss, meadowsweet, cinquefoil, bedstraw, yarrow, St. John's wort, oregano . Everyone knows that the following grasses are typical for yayla: steppe sedge, clover, fescue, cuffs, feather grass, bluegrass, fescue, wheatgrass, timothy, hedgehog, short-legged grass. Few people know that only on the yailas there are about fifty species of plants - Crimean endemics.

The fauna in the Crimean Nature Reserve also includes more than 200 species of vertebrate animals, of which about 30 species are included in the European Red List, and 52 species are in the Red Book of Ukraine. Please note, this also includes invertebrates: Crimean scorpion, common salpusa, Crimean empusa, death's head hawk moth; as well as reptiles: yellow-bellied snake, yellow-bellied snake and four-striped snake; and birds: black stork, gray crane, bustard, eagle owl, red-headed wren; and mammals: small and large horseshoe bats, several species of bats and bats, and others.

Generally animal world There are more than 8,000 species of invertebrates, and the most fascinating of the crustaceans is the freshwater crab, which lives in the rivers of the reserve. And there is no need to even mention that there are about 160 species of birds in the reserve, 37 species of mammals, 10 species of reptiles, and only 4 species of amphibians (amphibians): green toad, lake toad and tree frog and crested newt.

In the reservoirs of the reserve it is found brook trout, endemic Crimean barbel, chub - only 6 species of fish.

The reserve is home to the rarest carnivorous birds - the black vulture and the griffon vulture, as well as the common buzzard, kestrel, large and small hawks. It goes without saying that among the owls in the forests, the gray owl is quite numerous, the scythe is also found, and from time to time the long-eared owl has acclimatized and, therefore, the chukar and pheasant have taken root.

In the reserve you can also find the western, eastern and Persian nightingale, shrike, garden bunting, nightjar, starling, and goldfinch. It goes without saying that the forests are home to many Crimean and Long-tailed tits, great spotted woodpeckers, redstarts, robins, warblers and jays.

The large ungulate reserve is home to a large population of the Crimean subspecies of red deer, as well as roe deer, wild boar, and mouflon. Please note that there are hedgehogs everywhere in the reserve, red fox, brown hare, also badger and weasel. As strange as it may seem, mouse-like rodents are also numerous here: the common vole, yellow-throated vole, small vole, forest vole and house mouse and shrews: small shrew, small shrew and white-bellied shrew.

The Crimean Nature Reserve is the largest protected area, where on an area of ​​44 hectares are collected unique plants, animals and natural resources.

The natural Crimean reserve is located in a specific place. Its territory is dotted with streams and rivers; the altitude of areas above sea level varies significantly. Here nature itself has created special conditions, which are successfully complemented by the Black Sea climate. The area is ideal for the life of many species of animals and plants, which are considered rare and are listed in the Red Book.

History of the reserve

Even during the imperial rule, on the territory of the modern reserve, then still a difficult-to-reach and practically unexplored place, the “Royal Hunting Reserve” was created. A plot was allocated forest area 3 hectares, where wild animals were brought from all over the world.
By 1925 its territory already occupied 23 hectares, and by 1949 nature education"Swan Islands" were annexed. Official status state reserve this area received only in 1991.
The forest part of the protected area is the highest section of the Crimean mountain range. It is surrounded on all sides by high mountains. Ancients rocks, from which the reserve's sites are composed, belong to the sediments of the Jurassic period. There are limestone deposits, conglomerates, sandstones, and shale. Their presence and centuries-long transformation contributed to the appearance of caves, gorges, and natural cracks.

Fauna of the reserve

A special place in the Crimean Nature Reserve is occupied by invertebrates, mostly insects. There are more than 8 thousand of them here different types! Freshwater crabs, centipedes, ticks and scorpions - this is not the entire list of pleasant and not so pleasant inhabitants of the area.

The rivers are full of trout, chub, and minnows. Frogs and toads, lizards, snakes, snakes, and marsh turtles jump along the banks of reservoirs. Many representatives of birds nest in gorges and caves, far from humans, who pose a threat to their offspring. Not uncommon in nature reserves and the bats- there are more than 15 species of them out of 18 living throughout the Crimea.

Large vertebrates in the reserve include roe deer, acclimatized mouflons and wild boars, red deer. Here, in large quantities There are badgers, hares, martens and even squirrels brought from Altai.
Most of the animals living in the protected area are listed in the Red Book. Strict recording and monitoring of the number of individuals of the endangered species is carried out.

Flora

The vegetation of the Crimean Nature Reserve is quite diverse. Representatives of the flora grow here as nature intended, based on their own characteristics and needs. On lower tiers powerful fluffy oaks with an undergrowth of hornbeams feel comfortable in the mountain range. Above are sessile oaks mixed with ash and hornbeam. Hornbeam-beech trees rise to the next level forest plantations, soil and climatic conditions at an altitude of 800-1200 meters they are quite suitable.
In the high mountain meadows, which are called yaylas, they bloom from spring to autumn. fragrant herbs and flowers: St. John's wort, thyme, oregano, crocuses, Crimean edelweiss, wheatgrass, hedgehog, sleep grass, timothy.
The vegetation cover of the Crimean Nature Reserve is also represented by pines, beeches, lindens, Stephen and field maples, euonymus, mountain ash, aspens, dogwoods, and alders. Many tree species are listed in the Red Book and are at risk due to a significant reduction in area.

Photos

Location on the map

The Crimean Nature Reserve is called the Kingdom of Nature.

The largest nature reserve on the peninsula is located in the central part of the Main Range of the Crimean Mountains. It includes five forest districts and the Lebyazhye Islands nature reserve, which is located in the Razdolnensky district.

Before the October Revolution, these places were hunting grounds royal family. In 1923, after nationalization, a reserve was created on lands seized from the treasury. High damage he suffered great battles Patriotic War. After its completion, scientific work continued and continues to this day.

The area of ​​the reserve is more than 320 square kilometers. This territory presents almost the entire diversity of Crimean nature: mountain plateaus and river valleys, passes and gorges, waterfalls and rocks.

The length of the route along the most high mountains Crimea is 60 km. The excursion begins in Alushta from the administration building of the Crimean Nature Reserve and ends at the “pear meadow” cordon, 6 km away. from Massandra. The excursion lasts 5 hours. The road is quite difficult - there are mountain serpentines along the entire length, but there are many planned stops. The main part of the road lies on the famous Romanovskoye Highway. The main attraction of this route is the opportunity to admire nature in its pure form, the most beautiful panoramic views from the observation platforms of the Romanovskaya Road.

First stop – Trout farm. Here you get acquainted with the Trout Farm, located in the upper reaches of the Alma River. The farm was built in 1958. You will inspect scientific laboratory under open air where California trout are grown, you will learn the details of trout breeding, see the incubator and the broodstock of trout. Fishing is not provided here, but you will need cameras and video cameras.

The second stop is the Kosmo-Damianovsky Monastery, the main courtyard of which is located in Partenite. The main shrines are kept in the winter temple monastery icon St. unmercenaries Cosmas and Daminan with particles of their relics, icon of Jerusalem Mother of God, preserved from previous monastic times. You will be told a legend about the brother doctors Cosmas and Damian, who lived in the second half of the third century AD, about the history of the creation of the monastery. You will have the opportunity to collect water from healing spring, visit the royal chapel or temple. In 2006, the monastery celebrated 150 years since its foundation

From the monastery higher into the mountains begins the Romanovskoye Highway - one of the most beautiful roads South Bank Crimea. You will drive along the road built in 1913 at the personal request of Emperor Nicholas II. After passing the Tsar's Gate breach, climb the Chuchelsky Pass, whose height is 1150 m above sea level. From the observation deck you will admire the panorama of the northern slopes of the main ridge of the Crimean Mountains, see the peaks of Basman, Malaya Chuchel, Kemal Egerek and the highest mountain in Crimea, Roman Kosh (1545 m above sea level)

From the Chuchelsky Pass the road deepens into centuries-old beech forests, to the places where one of the largest Crimean rivers is born - the Kacha River.

Further, the road, passing at the foot of the city of Roman-Kosh, goes out to Nikitskaya yayla. The highlight of this excursion is the view from the Gazebo of the Winds (1426m above sea level). From a bird's eye view you will admire the Gurzuf Valley. Below, under the gazebo, a centuries-old forest rustles, and further, Ayu-Dag rises near the sea, the village is visible. Gurzuf, Artek, village. Parthenite.

Continuing the route, you go to Nikitsky Pass (1448 m above sea level) - this is highest point highways of Crimea. From here the descent begins, and the road leads to the “Red Stone” cordon (1350 m above sea level), from the viewing platform of which you will see the pearl of the Crimean resorts - Yalta.

And in conclusion, you will be able to admire the unique views of the Uch-Kosh gorge. Centuries-old pine forests will accompany you to the very border of the reserve, where this exciting journey ends.

Among the natural attractions of the reserve is the Golovkinsky Waterfall on the Uzen-Bash River. Its height is 12 meters. A little further up the river, several stone steps form a harmoniously arranged natural complex- a cascade of small waterfalls.

The waterfall is named after the scientist Nikolai Alekseevich Golovkinsky who discovered and described it in detail. Golovkinsky is a famous geologist, he was the first to draw a conclusion about the geological past of Crimea, and wrote several guidebooks on the peninsula.

The flora of the reserve includes more than 1,100 species of plants, the fauna is represented by 39 species of mammals and 160 species of birds. Many representatives of the flora and fauna found here are listed in the Red Book. There are also some notable examples. There are about 200 old trees on the territory of the reserve, which are recorded and monitored.

The fauna of the reserve is in natural balance, where there is a place for both predatory animals and those they hunt. During the excursion you can see the noble Crimean deer, roe deer, mouflon, and wild boar. Foxes, martens, hares, and feathered inhabitants of the reserve are slightly more common.

Human influence on nature is reduced to a minimum here. Crimean scientists and reserve workers conduct scientific work here. Approximately 6.5 hectares are subject to a regime of absolute immunity. This is necessary for studying natural processes, the participants of which are trees, mosses, lichens, insects, as well as the real owners of these places - animals and birds.

The rarest representative of the bird kingdom in Crimea is the black vulture. There are very few of them left in the whole world, but several individuals live in the reserve. This largest bird peninsula, the wingspan of the vulture is about three meters. They feed mainly on carrion; the bodies of these birds contain substances that neutralize carrion poison. Vultures live in permanent, inseparable pairs, making nests on tall trees and use them for several years.

The black stork is a species of bird that is on the verge of extinction in our territory. Previously, it regularly nested on the territory of the Crimean Nature Reserve, but the last nests were destroyed at the beginning of the 20th century. The stork winters in South Asia, from spring to autumn it lives in the temperate zone climate zone on the Eurasian continent. It avoids people, so the lifestyle of these birds has been little studied. During their migration, storks sometimes visit the peninsula, so there is hope that someday they will begin nesting in Crimea again.

Griffon vulture. This species of birds of prey nests in Crimea only in the mountains. The griffon vulture is listed in the Red Book, since there are only 80-100 individuals on the peninsula, of which 10-15 pairs have nested. Birds are monogamous, pairs remain throughout their lives. The eggs (and most often only one egg) are hatched by both parents in turn - while one is in the nest, the second is searching for food. They feed mainly on carrion; they rarely catch live animals. The lifespan of vultures is about 40 years.

Deer is the most major representative Crimean fauna, it has lived on the peninsula since time immemorial and is considered an aborigine. Since ancient times, the main and only enemies of these mountain animals have been hunters. The number of deer in the forests of Crimea was constantly changing, smallest number recorded at the beginning of the 20th century - they were almost completely exterminated. With the establishment of the Crimean Nature Reserve, the population is gradually recovering.

Crimean barbel. In many rivers of the Crimean Mountains there is a Crimean barbel - a subspecies of the common barbel (madder). This is a fish that lives in the rivers of the Black, Azov, Aegean and Marmara seas. Interestingly, barbel caviar is poisonous; even predatory animals do not eat it.

The peninsula has always been a popular destination for health and wellness thanks to its natural factors. The nature of Crimea is unique and needs vigilant protection and preservation. Numerous reserves have been created to preserve rare species of birds, animals and insects.

Yalta Mountain Forest Nature Reserve

From Gurzuf to Foros, a 40-kilometer strip stretches the territory of the Yalta Mountain Forest Reserve. It is valuable because 66% of the vascular plants that are found in the entire Mountain Crimea grow here: pistachio blunt-leaved, Siberian Sobolevskaya, tall juniper, Crimean cistus. The protected area is also rich in endemic species.
The fauna is represented by rare species of animals. The imperial eagle, badgers, mouflons, Crimean lizards and geckos, and European roe deer feel at ease in the protected area. Rare insects living in the reserve are listed in the Red Book and attract the interest of scientists.
An important part of the environmental complex is the Trekhglazka cave, the battlements of Mount Ai-Petri, and the Devil's Staircase pass.

The nature of the Crimean peninsula is unique. Trees, herbs and flowers grow here that are not found anywhere else in the world. To preserve the floristic fund in Crimea, 6 natural reserves were created, on the territory of which only scientific works and tourist routes have been laid out. Any economic activity in protected areas is prohibited.

The Opuksky Nature Reserve is the youngest of all similar territories in Crimea. It is closed to visitors, and scientists can carry out the necessary research only after receiving special permission. Here, not only a piece of land is protected, but also the surrounding water area.
Only one trail is designated for tourists to reduce the risk of trampling valuable grasses and disturbing the rest of nesting birds.

Crimean Nature Reserve

The biggest one protected area Crimea for almost a hundred years. It was created in 1923 on the site of the “Royal Hunting Reserve”. The area of ​​the reserve occupies more than 33 hectares in the center of the Main Range of the Crimean Mountains. It is here that, due to the abundance of precipitation and lush vegetation, many small and large rivers peninsulas - Derekoyka, Marta, Ulu-Uzen, Alma. The famous underground spring Savlukh-Su, whose waters have a healing effect due to the presence of natural silver ions in them, also descends from the local peaks.
Of particular value are pine, beech and hornbeam forests, which densely cover most reserve. It is thanks to them that a favorable environmental situation is maintained.
The protected area is home to more than a thousand species of animals, many of which are rare and need protection and careful treatment.

"Swan Islands"

Limited from economic activity the “Swan Islands” zone is part of the Crimean Nature Reserve, which is of interest to ornithologists around the world. Its area is 9 and a half hectares. More than 250 species of birds choose this nesting site. Flamingos, several species of ducks, herons, and waders live here. The reserve protects several species of fish and large marine mammals.
Swan Islands are the main migration point for many birds.

Nature Reserve "Cape Martyan"

On Cape Martyan in the eastern part of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden there is a reserve of the same name - the smallest in Crimea. His main task is to preserve the area where Mediterranean plants live. A relict forest grows here, in which there are more than 500 species of representatives of the Mediterranean flora. The uniqueness of the protected area is that it is here that a sufficient amount of small-fruited strawberry has been preserved, which has long been listed in the International Red Book.

Karadag Nature Reserve

The Kara-Dag Nature Reserve extends in the eastern part of the peninsula near Feodosia. Valuable minerals were found on its area - more than a hundred varieties of minerals were extracted by scientists from the soils of the area.
The flora and fauna of the Karadag Reserve is diverse. More than 1,000 representatives of the flora grow here, 29 of which are listed rare species Red Data Book and are in danger of complete extinction. The list also includes 18 species of animals. The reserve's rivers serve as spawning grounds for several species of fish.