Description of the attraction
The Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve is the largest mountain-forest reserve in Europe and one of the oldest reserves in Russia, founded in May 1924. The total area of more than 280 thousand hectares, the reserve occupies the lands of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, the Republic of Adygea and the Krasnodar Territory. H. G. Shaposhnikov, a former forester of the Belorechensky forestry of the Kuban hunting, played a huge role in the organization of the Caucasian reserve.
In February 1979, the Caucasian Reserve received the status of a biosphere reserve, and in 1999 its territory was included in the World Heritage List.
The Caucasian State Natural Biosphere Reserve is home to about 89 species of mammals, 15 species of reptiles, 248 - birds, 9 - amphibians, 21 species of fish, 1 species of cyclostomes, over 100 species of mollusks and more than 10 thousand species of insects. The flora of the Caucasian Nature Reserve numbers about 3 thousand species. The predominant families are aster (223 species), cut (108), bluegrass (114), legumes (82) and many others. The forest flora includes over 900 species, some of which can also be found in the mountain-meadow belt. In total, more than 800 species of alpine plants grow on the territory of the reserve. There are 165 species of trees and shrubs here, including 16 species of evergreen deciduous, 142 deciduous and 7 species of conifers.
The flora of the Caucasian Reserve is characterized by the presence of ancient representatives and species with a limited distribution. Every fifth plant in the reserve is endemic or relict. Orchids (about 30 species), ferns (more than 40 species), evergreen species and other ornamental plants make the flora of the reserve unique. 55 plant species of the reserve are included in the Red Book of Russia.
The numerous lakes (over 120) make the mountain landscape of the reserve especially unique. Some areas of the reserve are karst landscapes with many caves, and glaciers are not uncommon.
