It's hard to overestimate how importantreserves and national parks of the Leningrad Region for residents of the multi-million St. Petersburg. They constitute the "ecological frame" of the region, act as its green shield. Of course, the close proximity of large natural objects stabilizes the ecological situation in the region.
National parks of the Leningrad region canto boast of the "Karelian Isthmus", which is located between the Neva River and a section of the border of the Leningrad Region with Karelia. It is the largest in the vicinity of St. Petersburg. It is a kind of small country with its relief, elevations (Koltush heights), rivers and lakes. On its vast territory there are about 700 lakes, several rivers (the largest of them is Vuoksa with the famous Losevsky rapids).
A variety of landscapes, pleasing his eyespicturesque, shaped by the activities of ancient glaciers. Boulders, parts of rocks are found throughout the reserve. Its numerous lakes also owe their origin to glaciers.
Predominantly coniferous forests so farmake up 60% of the area of the reserve. This may explain the richness of its fauna. In addition to the usual squirrels, foxes, wild boars, here you can meet bears, wolves, lynxes, and among the birds - grouse, grouse, grouse. In lakes of the isthmus rare species of fish are still preserved: whitefish, grayling, whitefish.
Separate unique natural phenomena of the national park are allocated to specially protected natural territories (PAs) - there are thirty-five of them on the Karelian Isthmus.
Одно из них – памятник природы Озеро Ястребиное near the blacksmith station. The lake is sandwiched between steep granite rocks up to 50 meters high. Particularly famous Parnas rock, attracting to itself athletes, climbers.
Among the specially protected areas of the national parks of the Leningrad Region are the Lindulovskaya grove and Gladyshevsky reserves, which are located in a small distance from the city.
Lindulov grove - another monumentPeter's transformations 1. The beginning of this famous, the oldest in Europe plantings of larch was laid back in 1738 according to the plan of the emperor, who believed to grow trees for ship-building.
Along with the oldest unique specieslarches, in the grove and other conifers grow: Siberian cedar, spruce, fir, as well as oak, ash, elm. Some old trees reach a height of 40-50 meters, in diameter - more than 1 meter. Planting continued and resumed over the past 200 years and became a school of Russian forestry.
The grove is included in the UNESCO protected object "The historical center of St. Petersburg and the associated complexes of monuments".
This reserve is located almost next to the Lindulovskaya grove. It was created relatively recently, in 1996. It occupies a fairly spacious area of 8400 hectares.
The main property of the reserve - habitatsalmon and their constant companions - rare mollusks called European pearl oyster. This inseparable couple resides mainly in the Black River, where for many years research has been conducted by the Institute for the Protection of Fisheries
And moreover, year after year, scientists are tryingrestore and increase the salmon population (and this is Baltic salmon and Baltic trout) in the waters of the Black River. Thousands of tagged fry released into the river are under constant surveillance. Contrary to the fact that amateur fishing is prohibited here, poachers still catch some of the salmon.
Amateur naturalists visiting Gladyshevskyreserve, they note that even in the present neglected state, it has preserved many species of insects (various butterflies, wasps, bees), birds (woodpeckers, jays, hawks). Of the four-legged can often be found foxes, squirrels, rodents.
National parks of the Leningrad region canproud of Sablinsky monument of nature. It is located in Tosno district near the village of Ulyanovka. Attracts numerous tourists with artificial caves - the result of underground mining of quartz sand in the 2nd half of the XIX - early XX centuries, during the construction boom in St. Petersburg. Also of interest are the rapids on the rivers Tosna and Sablinka.
Nature reserves and national parks of Leningradthe regions also have in their list the Veps forest. A genuine natural pearl is located three hundred kilometers from St. Petersburg. This is an environmentally friendly natural park with a significant area of 189 thousand hectares. In 1999, it received the status of a specially protected natural area (PA).
Vepsian forest has preserved primordial forestarrays, ecological systems almost untouched by economic activity. The unique territory has a hilly relief, dozens of mountain lakes at an altitude of 200-250 m above sea level, many rivers. Nearly half of it is covered with very old in the north-west old, mature spruce forests and pine-trees, which sheltered a lot of endangered, “red-book” plants under their cover. Veps forests and swamps boast the presence of 57 species of rare birds. Among them are the gray heron, wood grouse, harrier of the field, gogol, black kite.
More than a third of the Veps forest area is occupied byswamps and this is perhaps its most valuable asset. These are one of the few wetland areas that have not been irrigated, and have retained intact traditional bird nesting sites. Perhaps the Vepsian Forest reminds everyone of the Meschera National Park.
The environmental complex created forsaving the natural potential of the Meschersky lowland, located in the south-west of the Vladimir region (adjacent to the borders of the Moscow and Ryazan regions). On 118 thousand hectares there are numerous rivers and lakes, and the swamps occupy 5 thousand hectares, and 70% of the entire territory is covered by forests. Already this statistics itself indicates the exceptional uniqueness of the reserve.
Environmentalists emphasize outstandingvalue of Meshchery, since it is here that European species of coniferous-deciduous forests are most fully represented. Thanks to this rare forest-symbiotic symbiosis, many large animals and birds survive and retain their offspring. Only the Meshcherian forests inhabit the Russian desman - a relict species of the mole family.
The abundance of birds nesting in the reserve includes a lot of endangered species: the white stork, gray heron, bittern, curlew.
Therefore, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the Meschera National Park is a true pearl of the natural heritage.
Национальные парки Санкт-Петербурга и Leningrad region can be praised by the Lower Sivers Nature Reserve. It is located in the southern Ladoga area, covers an area of 41 thousand hectares, and the land is only 36 thousand hectares, all the rest is the water spaces of Lake Ladoga and the deltas of the Svir River.
The plain landscapes of the natural complex do not amaze the imagination, its distinctive feature is the richness of flora and fauna.
Impressive abundance of waterfowl.Their concentration is especially great during the seasons of spring and autumn flights. At this time, if you are lucky, you can observe on the water flocks of swans, mallards, teals, gray geese. In total, ornithologists count 260 species of birds here.
Not inferior to them in diversity and "livestock"There are 44 species of animals living on land - only mammals: elk, brown bear, beavers, lynx, wolverine, etc. And in fresh water the lamprey lives, well known to many as fish delicacy.
National parks of St. Petersburg andLeningrad region can also be proud of the Lobyazhim reserve. This is another specially protected natural area. The reserve, which received an additional status of a water balance land of international importance, is located along the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland in the Lomonosov district.
Recognized as the benchmark of the coastal landscapes of the southernshore of the bay. Despite the fact that the occupied area is not so great - 6,400 hectares, the reserve has a high conservation value. It is believed that the diversity of plants, birds and animals, he has no equal in the Leningrad region. 200 species of its inhabitants are already listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation.
The peculiarity of its location (coast andshallow water) and determined the glory of this reserve, which is reflected in its name - Lebyazhy. In spring and autumn, thousands of migratory birds fly here, which make a massive flight along the coastline. Every year on the sites of swans there are up to 30 thousand various species of these birds.
A unique reserve currently existsin rather difficult conditions. Almost the entire shore is built up; increased shipping and water pollution leads to the death of rare animals such as ringed seals and gray seals.
National parks of the Leningrad region, and not only, have great value. The duty of every person is to save them and pass them on to future generations!
