UNESCO/Toson-Khulstai Biosphere Reserve
Middle-Volga Integrated
General information
This biosphere reserve is a conservation, research and eco-educational institution of federal significance. Its purpose is to preserve and study the natural course of natural processes and phenomena, genetic diversity of plant and animal world, individual communities of plants and animals, typical and unique ecological systems of the Middle Volga region that represent the entire ecosystem of the far east of Europe.Â
Detailed information
Key data
Year of nomination
2006
Country
Russian Federation
Total population
850000
Area
Surface
399,000.00 ha
Total terresterial area
399,000.00 ha
Location
Latitiude: 53.33 - Longitude: 49
Contact
Ecological Characteristics
The ecological systems of the Middle Volga complex biosphere reserve demonstrate a diverse variety resembling a patchwork quilt and characteristic for the temperature zone of European Russia. This area contains difficult-to-reach slopes of the Zhiguli Mountains with unique vegetation formations – steppificated mountain pine forests on limestone ridges and rocky steppes with elements of narrow-local endemic flora and subendemic entomofauna.Besides, various plain deciduous and mixed forests, meadow and forest steppe biocenoses, fragments of steppe formations, including feather-grass ones, are found on the reserve territory. The reserve has rich aquatic and semi-aquatic ecosystems of substantial area. All ecosystems of the biosphere reserve are to a greater or lesser extent affected by human impact. The impact is minimal at the largest part of the Zhiguli reserve territory and conservation areas of Samarskaya Luka national park.
Socio-Economics Characteristics
Since the creation of the biosphere reserve, the number of tourists has increased from 1 to 2 million people, and the growth tendency persists. The main tourism types are educational and event tourism. Over 30 tourist and excursion routes and destinations have been organized; Zhiguli Cherry event festival, which gathered more than 8 thousand people in 2016, has become a tradition. Still, a yet insufficient role of the tourism industry in the economy of the biosphere reserve should be highlighted. Special research to identify safe levels of recreational loads on the reserve ecosystems that suggest or permit tourist visits have not been conducted. However, environmental monitoring on the tourist route Strelnaya Mountain has been carried out since 2013 to assess recreational loads on the vegetation communities.