Located in the north-eastern part of the Altai Republic, on the territory of Turachak and Ulagan districts. The central estate of the reserve is located in the village of Yaylyu, the main office is in the city of Gorno-Altaysk, the capital of the Altai Republic.
Area: 881,238 hectares, including the waters of Lake Teletskoye - 11757 hectares.
Main ecosystems: Siberian taiga, lakes, taiga middle mountains and low mountains, subalpine and alpine middle mountains and high mountains, tundra-steppe highlands, tundra middle mountains and high mountains, glacial-nival highlands.
The Altai State Natural Reserve is a unique specially protected natural territory of Russia, a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site, which includes part of the waters of Lake Teletskoye - the pearl of Gorny Altai, the "little Baikal" of Western Siberia. Takes one of the first places among the Russian reserves for biological diversity.
The main goal of the creation of the reserve is to preserve the most valuable and rare beauty of Teletskoye Lake, its landscapes, protect cedar forests, save the most important hunting and game animals that were on the verge of extinction - sable, elk, maral and others, as well as constant stationary study of the nature of the region as a whole. The Altai Reserve also ensures the preservation and study of the natural course of natural processes and phenomena, the genetic fund of flora and fauna, individual species and communities of plants and animals, typical and unique ecological systems.
Along the boundaries of the reserve there are high ridges: in the north - Abakansky, in the south - Chikhachev, in the east - Shapshalsky. From the west, the territory is limited by the valleys of the Chulyshman, Karakem and Teletskoye rivers. Several separate mountain ranges are located in the center of the reserve, the highest mountain here is Bogoyash (3143m).
The numerous rivers of the reserve are very picturesque - with powerful rapids, rifts, quiet stretches and waterfalls. On the Chulcha River there is the largest waterfall in Altai - "Inaccessible", its height is 150m. In the middle and lower reaches of the river, there are steep, forested slopes, their channels are cluttered with stones, the speed of the current reaches 2-5m per second!
There are 1190 lakes in the reserve, the largest and most famous of them are Dzhulukul, located at an altitude of 2200m above sea level, and Teletskoye, or Altyn-Kolyu - the Golden Lake. Due to its great depth, this lake contains a huge amount of excellent fresh, oxygenated, clean water.
The features of the relief and the conditions for the transfer of air masses give rise to a significant variety of climatic conditions with the general continental nature of the climate. The northern part is characterized by warm and humid summers, snowy and relatively mild winters. In the southern part of the reserve, the climate is more severe; in winter, frosts reach -30 ° C.
You can get to the reserve only through Lake Teletskoye, so you will definitely get to know and appreciate Altyn-Kolya. The Russian name was given to the lake by the pioneering Cossacks who appeared here in the 17th century, it comes from the name of the Altai tribe of Teles, which lived on the shores of the lake.
In summer, along the shores of Lake Teletskoye, you can observe numerous waterfalls of extraordinary beauty, carrying their waters into the lake. Most of the waterfalls are inaccessible for visiting, with the exception of the main waterfall of Lake Teletskoye - "Korbu", which annually gathers at its foot several tens of thousands of tourists during the summer season. In the visit-center of the Altai nature reserve "Altai Ail" in the village of Yaylyu you can get acquainted with the traditional culture of the indigenous small people of the Tubalars
Several interesting routes are organized in the reserve, including the Korbu ridge, the Kishte, Korbu, Impenetrable, Lake Kholodnoye waterfalls.
The Korbu waterfall, 12.5 meters high, is one of the most beautiful in the reserve. It is located in the middle of Lake Teletskoye and has a well-equipped observation deck and information stands.
Diversity of flora and fauna
The species composition of plants and animals is interesting for its diversity. Difficult relief with heights of up to 3500 m, various climatic and natural-historical conditions create a significant diversity of the vegetation cover of the Altai Reserve. The vegetation of the reserve is represented by forests, alpine tundra, meadows, swamps and steppes. Forests occupy more than 45% of the reserve and are represented by fir, mixed, cedar massifs, there are small spruce and pine forests. Pure cedar alpine forests are the pride of the reserve. Cedars here reach 1.8 m in diameter and 400-600 years old. In general, the rich and varied flora of the reserve numbers 1,500 species of higher vascular plants (of which 20 species are listed in the Red Book of Russia, 49 species are in the Red Book of the Altai Republic), 111 species of fungi and 272 species of lichens. There are 668 species of algae in the reserve, seven species of lichens are included in the Red Data Book of Russia: pulmonary laboria, netted laboria, bordered stikta, etc. There are many endemics and relics: chamomile dendranthemum, bladderwort, Siberian kandyk, loose sedge.
A significant area of the Altai reserve is located at the junction of the mountain systems of Altai, Sayan, Tuva, the complexity of natural-historical development and biogeographic boundaries, a variety of natural conditions determine the exceptional richness of the animal world of the reserve. In the protected area, you can find inhabitants of high latitudes (reindeer, ptarmigan), and inhabitants of the Mongolian steppes (gray marmot), and many typical "taiga". All commercial mammals of the southern taiga are found in the vicinity of the reserve. The most widespread species are sable and red deer; musk deer, wild boar, elk, roe deer and others live. Among the predators live here: brown bear, wolf, badger, wolverine, sable, lynx and otter. Among the birds: wood grouse, hazel grouse, ptarmigan, golden eagles and black storks are found. In Lake Teletskoye and its tributaries, grayling, taimen, and lenok are found. There are 70 species of mammals on the territory of the Altai Reserve. Of these, two species are listed in the International Red Book (IUCN) - the snow leopard irbis and the Altai mountain sheep argali. Reindeer (forest subspecies) is listed in the Red Book of Russia.
The Altai Reserve is home to 59 rare and endangered animal species, which is about 52% of all animal species protected in the Altai Republic. The Red Book of the Altai Republic includes 8 species of bats, the habitat of which is the Altai Nature Reserve.
Of the 326 bird species nesting and living in the reserve, 2 species are listed in the International Red Book (white-tailed eagle and peregrine falcon), 33 species are listed in the Red Book of Russia and 34 species in the Red Book of the Altai Republic. , Black stork, Mongolian lark.
Environmental education and excursions in the Reserve
Multi-day routes:
Pos. Yaylu - Minor pass, 40 km;
- cordon Karatash - pos. Yaylu, 30 km;
- Koksha cordon - Korbu ridge, 12 km;
- cordon Chelyush - Lake Cold, 12 km;
- Chiri cordon - Chiri lake, 15 km.
One-day routes:
Koksha cordon - waterfall, 3 km;
- Belinskaya terrace, 3 km;
- Chulyshman river - Inaccessible waterfall, 7 km.
Observation Decks:
Korbu waterfall,
- Kishte waterfall.
On the tops of the Altai mountains, you can see, perhaps, one of the most beautiful places on the planet - alpine meadows. Here the "kingdom of permafrost", which is located above, has not yet begun, but the monotonous tundra has already ended. Alpine meadows are found not only in the Alps. This is a collective name that is used to designate low-grass vegetation at the upper limit of its existence in the Pyrenees, Apennines, Cordilleras, the Caucasus and Altai. For an extremely short warm period, a real miracle is formed here - a continuous carpet of herbs and flowers.
Lake Teletskoye - the heart of the Altai nature reserve one of the most beautiful places in Siberia
The alpine meadow is truly a heavenly place: dozens of outlandish flowers and herbs grow here
- The full name is Altai State Natural Biosphere Reserve.
- IUCN category: Ia (strict nature reserve).
- Date of foundation: April 16, 1932.
- Region: mountains of southern Siberia in the Turochak region of the Altai Republic.
- Area: 882,000 ha.
- Relief: mountainous.
- Climate: continental.
- Official website: http://www.altzapovednik.ru/.
- Email: [email protected]
History of creation
Altai Nature Reserve is one of the largest in Russia. Initially, it was allocated an area of up to 1.3 million hectares, but gradually they were reduced to the size they exist today. It is interesting that since 1930 in the Altai mountains lived a family of hermits-Old Believers, the Lykovs, who were completely unfamiliar with modern civilization.
The Altai Nature Reserve is undoubtedly a treasure of Russia. That is why today it is difficult to understand how it could have happened that the reserve was liquidated twice - in 1951 and 1961.
Vegetable world
On the territory of the reserve, 1480 species of vascular plants from 107 families, 250 species of mosses, more than 500 species of algae grow, among which diatoms of Lake Teletskoye and other water bodies prevail, about 37 species of lichens. In general, about 200 plant species are endemic to this region.
The striking beauty of the landscapes of the Altai Reserve will not leave indifferent any visitor
The coniferous forests of the Altai Reserve consist mainly of Siberian cedar (Pinus sibirica), Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) and Siberian spruce (Picea obovata). Of the hardwood species, the main ones are birch - warty (Betula pendula) and downy (Betula pubescens).
On the mountain peaks of Altai grows an outlandish flower edelweiss (Leontopodium), translated from Greek - "lion's paw" (from leon - "lion" and podion - "paw"). It is also called the alpine star, the silver flower of the rocks. As an image of a strong love that overcomes any obstacles, as well as a symbol of inaccessibility and good luck, this flower is found in many Altai legends and legends.
Altai herbs ... This phrase always sounds mesmerizing for admirers of a healthy lifestyle, because Altai means healing, rare, with amazing properties. But these ideas are actually close to the truth. The most common here are Daurian goldenrod (Solidago dahurica), broadleaf bitter (Saussurea latifolia), varifolia thistle (Cirsiurn helenioides), safflower raponticum (leuzea), or maral root (Rhaponticum Altaia carthamoides), which grows a unique medicinal plant in the mountains. It effectively enhances immunity and contributes to the overall strengthening of the body. The man was "prompted" by marals - Siberian deer red deer (Cervus maral).
Animal world
It is home to 58 species of mammals, 323 - birds, 6 - reptiles, 18 - fish and about 15 - invertebrates.
Wolverine is one of the most interesting animals of the Altai Reserve, the largest representative of the mustelids
The animal world of Altai is rich and diverse: from squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) and Asian chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus) to marals (Cervus maral), bears (Ursus arctos) and wolverines (Gulo gulo). One of the most remarkable animals is the lynx (Lynx lynx). She perfectly mastered all the landscapes and habitats of Altai, perfectly climbs trees, runs and swims. The tawny fur is considered a very chic item, which is why these animals are in danger.
Wolverine is a predatory animal of the weasel family, resembling both a bear and a badger. Having long paws disproportionate to the proportions of the body (with a maximum body length of 86 cm, the average length of the limbs is 10 cm), the animal easily, like on skis, moves along the snow cover.
Among all the inhabitants of the reserve, birds most clearly characterize its main feature: high-altitude zoning. In general, 323 species of birds live on the territory of the Altai Reserve. Black-throated loons (Gavia arctica) and red-cheeked grebes (Podiceps auritus) are found in water bodies. In the forests, you can always see the chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) and the song thrush (Turdus philomelos).
There are 14 fish species in the waters of Lake Teletskoye, among which the most common are taimen (Hucho taimen), Teletsky grayling (Thymallus arcticus), lenok (Brachymystax lenok).
The main attraction of the Altai Nature Reserve is Lake Teletskoye, which is 78 km long and has a maximum depth of 325 m. About 400 years ago, tribes lived along the shores of the lake, which called themselves Teles, which is why this name appeared. But the local population called it Altyn-Kel - "Golden Lake". In addition to the main river Chulyshman, 70 rivers and more than 150 temporary streams flow into it. Lake Teletskoye flows into the Biya River, feeding the Ob with its waters. The Korbu Falls, a natural monument since 1978, is located at the foot of the Korbu ridge, a hundred meters from the shore of Lake Teletskoye. It, like the entire right bank of the lake, is located on the territory of the Altai nature reserve. The only way to get to Korbu is by boat on the lake. And such excursions are very popular with tourists.
Korbu waterfallIn the Uimon steppe near the Chulyshman valley there is a unique natural phenomenon - stone mushrooms, rocky formations that have been formed over millennia under the influence of erosion and weathering.
Information for visitors
Reserve mode
Altai nature reserve can be visited by agreement with its administration. The Teletskaya school of youth ecological tourism has been established at the reserve. A number of interesting ecological routes are constantly operating.
How to get there
You can get to Gorno-Altaysk by train, then - by car or regular bus to the village of Artybash at the mouth of Lake Teletskoye. After that - the lake traffic. By car you can get to the village of Yaylyu - the central estate of the Altai nature reserve.
Where to stay
In the villages of Iogach, Artybash, located not far from the reserve, at the mouth of Lake Teletskoye, there is a network of campgrounds, tourist centers and "green" houses. There is an information center for the Altai Reserve, where you can find all the information about accommodation, excursion and other tourist services. In the village of Yailu there is a guest house, as well as "green" houses of local residents, where you can stay by prior arrangement.
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Altai nature reserve located on the territory, in, in the north-east of Altai. The fate of the reserve was difficult. It was created and liquidated several times, as a result of which it lost in territory, but even at the moment the size of the reserve is impressive: it covers an area of 881,238 hectares. High ridges surround the reserve. This is a stunningly beautiful place: there are 1190 lakes in the reserve, many rivers, waterfalls, mountain ranges. Mountain tundra occupies 60% of the area, fir taiga prevails in the north, and deciduous forests are located in the south. The territory of the reserve is rich in diverse flora, so here you can see spruce forests, pine forests, shrub areas, alpine meadows, fir and cedar trees. The mountain slopes are covered with such fruit bushes as raspberries, currants, rose hips, viburnum, sea buckthorn. Bird cherry blossoms in the taiga.
In addition to the listed species of plants and trees, 36 species of ferns, 263 species of lichens, 127 species of mushrooms grow in the reserve. The abundance of grasses and flowers transforms the meadows into colorful carpets. In total, 1270 plant species are found on the territory of the reserve. Since the climate in the region where the reserve is located is continental, the winters are very harsh there. The reserve has its own attractions and, first of all, it is a huge Teletskoe lake, absorbing the waters of seventy rivers. Only one river Biya flows out of it, which does not freeze in winter, which has a beneficial effect on ducks. The lake is 78 km long; it is surrounded by ridges on all sides. Lake Teletskoye is not rich in fish, only 18 species. These are grayling, whitefish, taimen, burbot. The main river of the reserve is Chulyshman. Its length is 10 km. The second attraction of the reserve is the largest waterfall in Altai - Big Chulchinsky waterfall... The height of the fall of the water reaches 150 meters.
The fauna, like the flora, is diverse. Only mammals are registered in the reserve, 73 species, of which 16 are predators. The taiga is home to bear, elk, lynx, wolverine, red deer, musk deer. A lot of squirrels and sables, chipmunks and voles, ermine. Gophers are in charge in the steppe. In the rest of the territory, you can see the argali, ibex, and less often the snow leopard-irbis, which is listed in the Red Book. Many birds nest on lakes and shores: gulls, whooper swans, black storks, herons. Wood grouses, quails, partridges live in the forests. A total of 323 bird species, including rare species recorded in the Red Book: golden eagle, peregrine falcon, white-tailed eagle, pink starling. The kingdom of invertebrates is especially diverse: 15 thousand species.
At first glance, the nature of Altai seems harsh and strict. In fact, it has quite favorable and comfortable climatic conditions, and in this regard, and magnificent landscapes. This region is a great place to spend your vacation time. Here you can stroll leisurely, admiring the rich picturesque landscapes, as well as take more extreme and active walks along more difficult routes.
It is not for nothing that the Altai State Natural Reserve was created in these places. The Altai Territory is glorious for its unique natural attractions. The richness of flora and fauna amazes and delights. Pine forests growing on sandy grounds along the river coasts are peculiar here. Salt lakes with healing water are a real pearl of the region.
About where the Altai reserve is located, and what natural resources it contains, you can find out by reading the information presented in the article.
The history of the creation of the reserve
The Altai Nature Reserve was founded in 1932, and the current borders were marked only in 1968. Location - Chulyshman river basin. This state-protected area is included in the ten largest reserves in Russia. The territory covers an area equal to more than 881,000 hectares, 13 thousand of which are in water bodies and more than 247 thousand in the forest zone. It is part of Altai. Protection of the unique natural Siberian complex and further study of the ecosystems of the region is the goal of creating the reserve. This zone occupies 9.4% of the territory of the Altai Republic.
The central estate of the reserve (Turochaksky and Ulagansky districts, northeastern part of Altai Mountains) is located in the village of Yaylyu. The main office is located in Gorno-Altaysk (the administrative center of the republic). The reserve is a part of the "Golden Mountains of Altai" (under the protection of UNESCO).
Description
The territory of the Altai Nature Reserve is a protected area, the boundaries of which are outlined by the high ridges of the Altai Mountains: the northern border is the Torot ridge, the southern border is the spurs of the Chikhachev ridge (height 3507 m). The western borders run along the Chulyshman River and along the shores and waters of Lake Teletskoye, which is a real pearl of the Altai Mountains. They call it “little Baikal” of Western Siberia.
This unique nature conservation object contains in its territories a variety of flora and fauna of the water area and the shores of the beautiful Teletskoye Lake, cedar forests, populations of rare animals, as well as endemic plants.
Climate
The mountainous and continental climate prevails on the territory of the Altai Reserve. The first prevails in the Altai ridges, and the second is due to the fact that the protected area is located in the central part of the continent, where the anticyclones of Asia and the air masses of the Arctic mainly affect the weather conditions.
The formation of climate conditions also depends on the characteristics of the landscape of individual zones of the reserve. In the southern part there are valleys of the Teletskoye Lake and the Chulyshman River, therefore, this area is characterized by mild winters and cool short summers. There is practically no snow here, the total amount of precipitation per year is about 500 mm. Where the mid-mountain zone of the taiga is located (the northern part of the reserve), on the contrary, winters are mostly cold. Snow already falls at the end of October. Summer air temperature reaches +30 ° C. Annual precipitation is approximately 900 mm.
Features of the landscape
Altai Nature Reserve amazes the imagination with a variety of landscapes. A place was found here on the tundra, taiga forests, meadows and steppes. To Lake Teletskoye with a water area of 223 sq. km. the waters of 70 rivers and streams flow in, among which the largest is Chulyshman. 150 waterfalls adorn the coast of this beautiful reservoir.
Most of the reserve is located within 1450-1650 meters above sea level. The height of the ridges themselves reaches 3-3.5 thousand meters. The mountains are characterized by a pronounced altitudinal zonation. Coniferous taiga is replaced by light forest. A little higher, there are alpine meadows and tundra, where low shrubs and lichens predominate. The mountain regions are rich in lakes and springs (the entire water area is 15 thousand square meters. Meters).
Animals of the Altai nature reserve
Due to the abundant and varied vegetation in these places, favorable conditions have been created for the life of many animals. More than 66 species of mammals, 3 species of reptiles, about 19 species of fish, 86 amphibians live here.
Thanks to the creation of the reserve, the sable population has been restored (a valuable representative of the weasel family). Also, such predators as wolves, bears, wolverines and lynxes are massively found here. Otters and badgers live, as well as ermine. Animals of the Altai Reserve are represented by 8 species of artiodactyls. These are musk deer, elk, red deer, Siberian roe deer, mountain sheep, wild boar, reindeer and ibex. There are many squirrels in the reserve, and in the forests near Lake Teletskoye you can find several varieties of rare representatives of bats: the brown long-eared bat, the baleen bat, the red noch, Brandt's bat and others that live only in the landscapes of the reserve and are listed in the Altai Red Book.
Birds
In total, 343 species of avifauna live in the Altai Biosphere Reserve. Nutcrackers (or walnuts) live in forests, feeding on pine nuts. Due to the fact that they bury them in the ground for future use, the number of young seedlings increases. The variegated hazel grouse lives in the reserve, which is almost invisible due to its pockmarked camouflage plumage.
Quail and gray partridges fly over the Chulyshman river valley. Migratory birds (different species of waders) fly to the lakes, as well as ducks (16 species) nest. For example, in the area of marshes and lakes of the Chulyshman Upland there are nests of the whistler teal (small duck). The Shapshalsky ridge fell in love with the rare bird Altai Ular.
Ichthyofauna
Among the 18 species of fish that live in the lakes and rivers of the reserve, the most valuable are grayling, taimen, dace, perch, teletskaya sprat, lenok, char and sculpin.
Grayling, taimen, osman and Siberian char, which are found in Chulyshman, go up to spawn in Dzhulukul (alpine lake). This reservoir is considered the most "fish" reservoir in Russia. Burbot, perch, pike, whitefish Pravdin, lenok, dace, sculpin and local teletskaya sprat are found in Lake Teletskoye, which is not particularly distinguished by the variety of food.
Plants
The Altai reserve in its vast territories locates mountains and alpine meadows, coniferous forests and mountain tundra, turbulent rivers and pristine alpine lakes. These regions are also rich in varied vegetation. Among the tree species, Siberian cedars, larch, fir, pine, spruce and dwarf birch are most common. The pride of the reserve is alpine cedar forests. The diameter of the trunks of some of the oldest specimens (age from 300 to 400 years) reaches two meters.
Other representatives of the flora: 1500 varieties of higher vascular plants, 136 species of fungi, 668 species of various algae and 272 varieties of lichens. Giant grasses grow under the trees, impassable places are rich in thickets of raspberries, currants, bird cherry, viburnum and mountain ash. More rocky mountain slopes are chosen by wild gooseberry bushes and evergreen maral bushes. Among the plants there are also relict (more than 20 species), including woodruff, European clefthoof, circe, Voronet, etc.
Red Book
Of the 1.5 thousand varieties of vascular plants of the Altai Reserve, 22 are included in the lists of the Red Book of the Russian Federation and 49 in the local Red Book. Plants of the Red Data Book of Russia grow here feather grass and zalessky, Altai rhubarb, 3 varieties of Venus's shoe, Siberian chubby, etc.
Two species from 68 mammals of the reserve are on the lists of the International Red Book. This is the Altai mountain sheep and snow leopard. The Red Book of Russia includes reindeer and some rare species of insects.
22 out of 343 bird species are included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. Among them are the black stork, mountain goose, common flamingo, white-tailed eagle, steppe eagle, etc. The International Red Book includes 12 species, including steppe harrier, curly pelican, burial ground, white-eyed duck, long-tailed eagle and white-tailed eagle, black vulture, bustard, etc.
Tourism
Altai Reserve allows scientific research and observation of changes in natural processes. The goal is to assess changes in flora, fauna and the seismic state of the entire region, as well as to study the ecosystems of Altai.
It is forbidden to be in the protected areas without a special pass. Only excursions by tourist groups are possible, the routes of which are designed to familiarize themselves with the nature of the area, the peculiarities of the ecology and preserved historical monuments, represented by burial mounds, stone tombs and ancient statues of the Turkic peoples. Most popular routes:
- impregnable waterfall;
- orchard and Belinskaya terrace;
- Chulcha river and Uchar waterfall;
- Basque Falls;
- zigzag Chichelgansky;
- Koksha cordon;
- pass Minor and the village of Yaylu.
There are also viewing platforms available for tourists at the foot of the Kishte and Korbu waterfalls.
Greetings, dear friends! I invite you to a virtual trip to Altai.
Mountain Altai nature very diverse. The Altai Mountains are located in the south of Western Siberia, where the highest mountain peaks are located. The highest mountain in Altai is Mount Belukha - 4506 meters.
The mountainous relief of Southern Siberia has determined a distinct zonation and contrast of the climate. Abundant precipitation falls on the windward slopes - the spread of numerous snows and glaciers on the slopes and peaks of Altai is associated with them.
In the Altai Mountains, in the intermontane basins, there is a climate with relatively mild and snowy winters. This is due to the fact that cyclones often penetrate here from the west, which are accompanied by significant cloudiness and precipitation, the clouds protect the surface from cooling.
Summer in the Altai mountains is short and cool almost everywhere, with the exception of intermontane basins, where it is usually dry and hot with an average July temperature of about +20 degrees.
In the Altai mountains, the sources of the largest Siberian river, the Ob, originate here, the rivers Biya and Katun. They have a mountainous character, along the rivers are narrow, deep valleys with picturesque steep slopes. The rivers are filled with melt water and precipitation that falls in the summer-autumn period, and in the high-mountainous regions with glacier waters. They are of great interest to sportsmen and tourists and are also rich in hydropower.
In the Altai mountains there is a beautiful lake Teletskoye, which fills a deep tectonic basin.
On the damp western slopes of Altai, there are spruce-fir forests with an admixture of cedar. On drier eastern slopes, the area of pine-deciduous forests increases. The upper part of the forest belt is occupied by cedar elfin trees.
Alpine and subalpine meadows are located above the upper border of the forests at an altitude of more than 2000 meters, thickets of subalpine bushes to the east, and upland tundras begin even higher. Alpine meadows of mountain Altai are known for the brightness of colors of lush and rich grass stand, they are used as pastures.
In the Altai mountains, there are large deposits of polymetallic ores. Gorny Altai is famous for its mountain honey and maral breeding - the breeding of red deer, from which antlers (young, not yet ossified horns) are obtained, which are used for the production of valuable medicines.
Altai golden lake
Lake Teletskoye is called the pearl of mountain Altai, the blue diva, the younger brother of Lake Baikal, the Altai people call it "Altyn-Kol", which means the Golden Lake.
There are legends about the origin of the name Golden Lake. One of them tells about a young shepherd who found a piece of gold and wanted to pay a kalym for his bride. But the greedy buy learned about the gold and decided to take it away from the poor man. Then the groom threw the gold into the lake, since then it has been called the Golden Lake.
The maximum depth of Lake Teletskoye is 325 meters; it ranks fourth in depth among the lakes of Russia. The lake is located at an altitude of 436 meters above sea level, the lake area is 223 sq. km.
It is fed by more than 70 rivers and streams; in the south, the Chulyshman River flows into Lake Teletskoye, originating from the high-mountainous lake Dzhulukul, and in the north, the Biya River flows out.
Rivers run into the lake from the slopes of the mountains, forming numerous waterfalls of the Altai mountains, falling with a roar from the steep ledges and forming raging whirlpools.
On the Chulcha River, 8 km from the mouth, there is the largest waterfall in Altai - Bolshoi Chulchinsky - Uchar, it is a 150 meter cascade of water. Near the shore of Lake Teletskoye in the northeast, on a tributary of the Kamga River, there is a beautiful Bolshoy Shaltan waterfall.
Water falls from sheer cliffs that go into the skies, then rushes along the gorge among huge boulders in a roaring stream. The Korbu waterfall is beautiful - a stream of water rushes down from a height of 12 meters.
Lake Teletskoye is inhabited by 13 species of fish: whitefish, grayling, perch, dace, loach, sculpin and others. In the deep-water part of the lake, there is a small fish - teletskaya sprat, its length is 12 cm, weight is about 13 g. A large fish - taimen, reaching a mass of more than 40 kg and almost 2 m in length, enters the depressions of shallow bays.
Taimen is a voracious predator, it eats everything that it meets in the water: fish, waterfowl, frogs. With its huge mouth, taimen captures prey and holds with sharp teeth in powerful jaws, the teeth of the taimen are located in two rows, in a semicircle. In spring, taimen swims to spawning grounds to the mouth of the Chulyshman. Huge copper-colored fish with fiery red fins move upstream for spawning.
The entire right bank of Lake Teletskoye and 22,000 hectares of its water area are located on the territory of the Altai State Reserve.
To preserve the nature of Gorny Altai, the Altai State Biosphere Reserve was founded in 1932. The area of the reserve is 881,238 hectares, the length from north-west to south-east is 230 km, width is 30 - 40 km, in some places up to 75 km.
In the village of Yaymo, on the northeastern shore of Lake Teletskoye, there is the base of the Altai Nature Reserve. This is the warmest corner of Siberia, the only place in Siberia where there are favorable conditions for the ripening of walnuts, grapes, prunes, apricots, apples and pears.
More than 1400 plant species grow in the moss and shrub tundra, in alpine meadows, in the taiga, in small steppe areas. In the undergrowth of the Priteletskaya taiga there are impenetrable thickets of raspberries, mountain ash, viburnum, bird cherry, black and red currants. On the rocky slopes of the Altai Mountains grow gooseberries and evergreen shrubs - Daurian rhododendron, its local name is maralnik. When the maral blooms, in early spring, the rocks are covered with pink-purple foam, which sways from the wind like a transparent colored blanket.
Everywhere - from alpine meadows to steppe areas, herbaceous plants form a colorful living carpet, which changes its colors according to the seasons of the year.
In the spring, snow-white and bright yellow buttercups bloom, large white and blue anemones, golden dazzling yellow flowers of adonis are replaced by purple meadows of lungwort, orange lights of fry - Altai swimsuit.
The air in Altai is not just clean - when the herbs bloom it is delicious, honey-spicy - you can't breathe.
Red poppies, pink carnations, blue watersheds bloom in summer. Within the Altai reserve, there are up to 20 species of relict plants that have survived since ancient times. Near the water on the shore of Lake Teletskoye, onion grows on sand, pebbles, and also high in the mountains, and badan grows on dry rocky areas.
The flora of the reserve is very rich. 34 species of mosses, lichens, fungi and vascular plants are listed in the Red Data Books of the Altai Republic and Russia. More than 200 species of endemics (not found anywhere else) are located on the territory of the Altai Nature Reserve. This determines its outstanding role in the protection of the vegetation of Southern Siberia.
I suggest you watch a short video - Along the Altai Mountains
Altai nature reserve animals
The richness of the flora creates favorable conditions for the life of animals, the fauna of the reserve is diverse.
More than 70 species of mammals, 6 species of amphibians and reptiles - vipers, snakes, lizards and others, over 300 species of birds live here.
Such birds as the gray heron, black stork, whooper swan, little gull, pink starling, Altai Ural, white-tailed eagle, golden eagle, peregrine falcon and osprey are listed in the Red Book.
The red deer, the red deer, has long lived in the forests of the Altai Mountains. Here you can meet a bear, a sable, a graceful nimble ermine, a squirrel, a chipmunk.
Roe deer are found along river valleys, wolverines, Siberian weasels, weasels, lynx and others live.
Rare specially protected animals of the Altai Reserve - Siberian ibex argali - mountain sheep and the rarest snow leopard - irbis, living high in the mountains, it is listed in the Red Book of Russia.
Small herds of reindeer have survived in the mountain tundra of the reserve. Several species of bats live in the Chulashman valley in the Priteletskaya taiga.
There are many birds in the reserve. Often nutcrackers (walnuts) break the silence. They feed on pine nuts, which sometimes do not eat, but hide, burying them in the ground.
A few years later, a cedar grows on the site of the pantry, so the birds help the restoration and reproduction of the cedar. In the valley of the Chulyshma River live hazel grouse, gray partridge and quail.
Most of the reserve is occupied by the Chulyshman Upland,
at heights of more than 2000 meters, vast leveled areas are occupied by swamps, thickets of bushes, here is the kingdom of small lakes, among which there is a large lake - Dzhulukul. In the Altai nature reserve there are about 1190 small lakes, each with an area of 1 hectare.
On the Chulymash upland, the ptarmigan is widespread; there are up to 140 of these birds per square kilometer. Migratory birds stop at the lakes. There are 16 species of ducks in the reserve, the smallest - the teal-whistle - nests on the lakes and swamps of the Chulysh Highlands. Various waders nest in spring. The Altai snowcock lives on the Shapshalsky ridge in the rocky tundra.
Altai State Reserve- one of the largest reserves in Russia. In the Altai Reserve, a large and interesting scientific work is being carried out to study nature of mountain Altai, protection and study of the richest vegetation, fauna, rivers, lakes, caves.
The territory of the Altai Nature Reserve was included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List in 1998 under the name of the Golden Mountains of Altai.
Altai Reserve is included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program - May 26, 2009.
Few places on Earth can match the beauty of the Altai mountains, and it is wonderful that the mountainous region has a corner where wildlife is preserved - the greatest wealth of the Altai Republic and Russia.
Wildlife is our wealth and beauty!
Friends, I wish you to know and see in life a lot of new, fabulously beautiful, extraordinary!
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