UNESCO/Toson-Khulstai Biosphere Reserve
Ugra
General information
The Biosphere Reserve is located in the valleys alongside the banks of Ugra and Zhizdra rivers and their tributaries and is characterized with the vast biodiversity of the lakes, unique meadows, and different forest ecosystems. The territory is dominated by complex multilayered pine forests, green moss forests and complex spruce forests. In the transition zone, there are relatively large rural communities with a population of over 1,000, with a significant proportion of summer cottages owned by residents of Moscow and major cities of Moscow, Kaluga and Tula regions.
Detailed information
Key data
Year of nomination
2002
Country
Russian Federation
Total population
7539
Area
Surface
153,832.00 ha
Location
Latitiude: 54.4255 - Longitude: 35.992
Contact
Ecological Characteristics
The Reserve territory refers to the Eastern European phytogeographical region and is located at the joint of subzones of mixed deciduous and coniferous forests (Subtaiga) and deciduous forests.The area plays a key role in the conservation of natural and cultural landscapes in the catchment areas of the Ugra, Zhizdra and Oka Rivers. The biosphere reserve also includes main Important Bird Areas (IBAs) of international significance and one of the few remaining old-growth broadleaf woodlands in European Russia.The area plays a key role in the conservation of natural and cultural landscapes in the catchment areas of the Ugra, Zhizdra and Oka Rivers. The biosphere reserve also includes main Important Bird Areas (IBAs) of international significance and one of the few remaining old-growth broadleaf woodlands in European Russia.The area is home to various endangered species, such asAlburnoides bipunctatus rossicus, Cottus gobio, Gavia arctica arctica, Ciconia nigra, Pandion haliaetus, Circus macrourus, Haliaeetus albicilla, Aquila clanga, Aquila pomarina, among others.
Socio-Economics Characteristics
The buffer zoneconsists of sections of a specially protected area of the Ugra national park. This zone is located around the core area or separately in places requiring special treatment of natural resources. Any human activities that can destroy natural ecosystems are prohibited in the buffer zone. In this area, several economic activities are carried out, such asenvironmental education, ecotourism (linear routes), fishing, traditional types of forest use, such as gathering mushrooms and berries, among others. The Transition or Ccooperation zone (an outer transition area) consists of zones of the Ugra national park which are not included in the core or buffer zones and placed in six administrative districts of the Kaluga region (Yukhnov, Iznoski, Dzerzhinsk, Peremyshl, Babynin and Kozelsk). These are areas of protected landscape, recreation, protection of historical and cultural sites, visitor services and household services.Activities to involve local people in a small green business (the system of guesthouses, support for traditional agricultural methods and techniques, arts and crafts, folklore, etc.) are being organized in the transition zone.