The Sayano-Shushensky State Natural Biosphere Reserve is a unique place in the south of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, which has been helping to maintain the richness of flora and fauna for over 40 years, as well as to preserve rare and endangered species of their representatives.
Where is
The location of the reserve is inaccessible and unusual in its own way. It is located in the Altai-Sayan ecoregion on the territory of the Shushensky and Ermakovsky districts, on the border with the Republic of Tyva. Its gigantic territory is 390,368 hectares, and the plains are quite small, everything is occupied by mountains. The largest cities that are closest to this place are Abakan, Sayanogorsk and Kyzyl. A relatively simple route to the reserve can be overcome by car or by bus, heading from the village of Shushensky. It is preferable for tourists to avoid independent hikes in mountainous terrain in order to avoid threats to life and health. Reserve contacts: 662713, Krasnoyarsk Territory, settlement Shushenskoye, st. Zapovednaya, 7, tel. (391-39) 3-18-81, E-mail: [email protected]
History of origin
The reserve appeared in 1976 as a lifeline for the ecosystem as a result of the construction of the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station on the Yenisei River. The creation of the hydroelectric power station in 1978 led to the flooding of large areas, the natural wealth of which, thanks to the emergence of the reserve, was largely saved from disaster. The main activity of the Sayano-Shushensky Reserve initially consisted in the study of all the intact elements of the Siberian biosphere, and already in 1985 it received the status of a biosphere, since then it began to study the chemical component of the territories, including soil, precipitation, air condition and other components of the ecosystem.
What to watch
In addition to the picturesque views of the Krasnoyarsk landscapes, in the reserve you can find unique animals, unusual plants, rare species of animals and plants from the Red Book. The vegetation cover is very diverse, the main plant asset of the reserve is the Siberian cedar. The area of cedar forests is over a thousand square kilometers, but there are also other coniferous and deciduous trees. A variety of relict grasses, rare mosses and lichens - all this can be seen on the territory of this wonderful place. The fauna of the reserve is no less amazing, it is inhabited by: reindeer, tundra and ptarmigan, Altai snowcock, ermine, wolverine, ibex, Siberian ibex, sable, brown bear and many other animals, as well as birds and fish. The snow leopard is a real attraction of the reserve, since there its number is 1/10 of all snow leopards living in Russia.
A visit to the Sayano-Shushensky State Natural Biosphere Reserve leaves no one indifferent. Plunge into the world of enchanting nature, this is the best relaxation for body and soul.
