The Astrakhan Nature Reserve represents the unique nature of the lower reaches of the Volga delta - one of the largest deltas in the world. It should be especially noted that the reserve is located in the lower reaches of the delta and fully characterizes the natural environment only in this region, which differs significantly from other regions located upstream. The location on the sea edge of the delta, i.e., on the border of the land and the inland sea-lake with a very variable level, determines the great dynamism of the natural complexes of the lower reaches of the delta.

Astrakhan Nature Reserve

Astrakhan land is the land of a thousand islands, steppes and a great variety of salt lakes, of which there are more than seven hundred. However, the largest lake - Baskunchak - is an amazing creation of nature, one of the largest salt deposits in the world. A huge lake in a hot desert and a lonely mountain have attracted the attention of people since ancient times. Many legends and fairy tales were composed about them by the ancient nomads.

Where is

South of Astrakhan, the Volga splits into many branches and channels, forming an estuary. Here, in the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain (80-120 kilometers below Astrakhan), the Astrakhan Reserve is located, which began its existence in 1919. The reserve consists of three sections: Damchansky - in the western part, Trekhizbinsky - in the central part and Obzhorovsky - in the eastern part. Initially, the area of ​​the reserve was 23 thousand hectares, but with the drop in the level of the Caspian Sea and the growth of the delta, the area of ​​​​the reserve increased to about 60 thousand hectares.

To date, the area of ​​the Astrakhan Biosphere Reserve is 67,917 hectares.

Climate

The climate of the Astrakhan region is sharply continental - with high temperatures in summer, low - in winter, as well as with large summer daily air temperature amplitudes, low precipitation and high evaporation.

The Astrakhan Biosphere Reserve is located in a semi-desert zone, so grasses, wormwood and saltwort predominate in the vegetation cover. In general, the Astrakhan Nature Reserve is the only place in Russia where flora is represented from coastal plants to desert plants.

The hydrological regime plays an important role in the formation of the relief and the entire appearance of the land and water bodies of the delta, their vegetation cover and wildlife. It is determined by the volume of the Volga runoff, the nature of its distribution over the seasons and channels, the strength and direction of the winds, and the level of the Caspian Sea. In the annual course of the water level in the delta, spring-summer floods, summer-autumn low water, winter level rise, and level drops in the pre-flood and pre-freeze periods are distinguished. The life of the natural complex is most affected by floods. During this period, a hollow is formed, where many species of fish spawn in mass.

Spring waters bring a large amount of suspended matter into the delta, the settling of which forms new islands and spits, and also leads to the vertical and horizontal growth of existing islands. Spring runoff brings nutrients that enter many food chains.

Numerous adaptations of plants and animals are associated with the nature and duration, as well as changes in the water level during the rest of the year. We can assume that the water regime determines not only the appearance of the landscape of the delta, but also the conditions for the existence of all life.

Plants of the Astrakhan Reserve

There are three types of vegetation in the reserve - forest, meadow and water. Such "inhabitants" grow under water sea ​​depths”, like dark green hornwort, small and sea naiad, charophytes - nitellepsis, Uzbek and common char.

Above the surface of the water you can see such unusual plants as pondweed (brilliant, pierced, comb, Berthold, curly), uruti (whorled and spiked). Rarely found aquatic plants can also be found: water chestnut, shield-leaved nymphaeum, yellow capsule, pure white water lily, common water color and floating salvinia.

Nut-bearing lotus is considered to be the pearl of the reserve. You can spend hours watching how thin, almost transparent pinkish lotus petals swirl on the waves. Lotus has been known in the Volga delta for a long time, here it is called the Caspian rose. From mid-July to September, lotus plantations bloom - a sea of ​​blue-green leaves and pink flowers exuding a delicate aroma.

To aquatic plants include both Laxmann's cattail, lake bulrush (occasionally found on spits at the mouths of watercourses and along the shallow waters of the islands in the fore-delta), and burrhead (occupying large areas in the reservoirs of the reserve, mostly silted), and umbrella susak. Under conditions of different water regimes, susak forms two forms: susak grows with flowers in shallow waters and low-flowing areas, and without flowers at depths and flowing areas, only with leaves stretched downstream on the surface of the water.

Now let's move from the water kingdom to the forest kingdom. and the territories of the Astrakhan Reserve occupy quite a bit, just over 1%. Hard-leaved oak, ash-tree and elm, soft-leaved willow and poplar, as well as shrub willow and sucker have found their home here. Three-stamen willow is common for the forest. Swampy meadows are typical for the reserve. But among the real meadows, most of all are reed grass, couch grass and kendyry. There are also unique species of flora. The endangered include 20 species of rare plants, such as Regel's onion, dwarf iris, leathery iris, Schrenk's tulip, saltwort and others.

Animals of the Astrakhan Reserve

The fauna of this wonderful land is rich and amazing. The lower reaches of the Volga and its delta are one of the richest habitats and nesting places for birds in the world. It is not for nothing that the Astrakhan Nature Reserve is called the "bird hotel" - 283 species of birds live here (99 species nest, 155 occur during migration periods, and 23 periodically fly in), many of which are listed in Red Book. Birds that have flown from Africa, Iran, India nest here - huge flocks of swans, geese, ducks. Some species of birds - pelicans, herons, cormorants - form entire colonies.

Birds

Here you can see the white-tailed eagle, pink flamingos and even the "Caspian hummingbird" - rezun.

Most of the birds living in the reserve nest on trees (various herons, loaves, cormorants), and some build floating nests (grebes, coots). Here you can meet mute swan, curly and pink pelicans. But most of all in the heron reserve. There are just not enough here: white (large and small), gray, red, yellow and even grayish-bluish (night night herons). When the Astrakhan Nature Reserve was just created, only two pairs of white herons nested among the reeds.

Today - already more than five thousand couples. And the white mute swan did not live in the delta until the thirties. Today, the white swan is one of the symbols of the reserve. Since the routes of migratory birds pass through the territory of the reserve, here you can observe the life of such "inhabitants of heaven" as ducks, geese, mallards, shovelers, pintails, divers, teals and others. Many birds stop in the Volga delta to eat. They fatten and rest here, gaining strength before a long and difficult flight to warmer climes. Some remain for nesting.

The Caspian ornithological station operates at the Astrakhan Reserve, which studies the number, distribution and migration of birds. The Astrakhan State Reserve is the largest bird ringing center.

mammals

In the boundless steppes of the Volga region, “ships of the desert” camels graze importantly, swift-footed saigas cross the desert, and in winter, on the ice fields of the Northern Caspian, you can see entire rookeries of Caspian seals.

Having gone to the bank of one of the countless rivers or channels of the reserve, we can observe the measured life of beavers, muskrats and otters. In the forests of the Volga lower reaches, curious researchers of the reserve will meet wild boars, raccoon dogs and even stoats.

In general, there are few mammals in the reserve. Basically, these are wolves, foxes, field mice, baby mice. Of the reptiles, there are snakes, lizards, patterned snake and others.

Insects

But there are a lot of insects in the reserve, there are more than 1300 species of them: dragonflies, crickets, caddis flies, cicadas, beetles (floaters, water lovers, leaf beetles, weevils, ground beetles). There are many chances to meet representatives of the world of spiders here. So, you can see ar-gionna, poisonous karakurt, tarantula, inhabitant of desert landscapes steppe centipede.

Fish and the water world

rich and interesting water world representatives of the Astrakhan state reserve. About 66 species of fish live here: sturgeon (beluga, sturgeon, stellate sturgeon), herring (Caspian shad, Volga herring, blackback), cyprinids (vobla, bream, carp, rudd, asp, sabrefish, golden crucian carp), pike, pike perch, perch , gobies, stickleback and others. It is impossible to imagine the reservoirs of the reserve without microscopic rotifers.

From annelids aquatic oligochaetes, fish, turtle and horse leeches are common. Of the arthropods - daphnia, cyclops, mysids and amphipods, long-shafted crayfish, insect larvae. Representatives of the type of mollusks are quite numerous and diverse: toothless, zebrafish, snails, coils.

The Red Book of Russia

The following are included in the Red Book of Russia:

Plants

• Caspian lotus
• Aldrovanda vesicularis
• Marsilea egyptian
• Cetraria steppe

Animals

• Vigilant Emperor
• Caspian lamprey
• Sterlet
• Beluga
• Volga herring
• white salmon
• Kutum
• red-necked grebe
• pink pelican
• Curly Pelican
• Lesser cormorant
• Egyptian heron
• Spoonbill
• Karavayka
• common flamingo
• Lesser White-fronted Lesser
• Grey goose
• gray duck
• small swan
• marble teal
• Savka
• steppe harrier
• European Tuvik
• Buzzard
• steppe eagle
• black vulture

Fauna The reserve belongs to the European type with elements of other types.

free-living aquatic invertebrates belong to 828 taxa. These are protozoans (136), rotifers (403), cladocerans (142), copepods (70) and other groups of animals (77). At the bottom of reservoirs and in the fauna of thickets, 225 species of invertebrates belonging to 8 classes have been recorded.

The diversity of the microclimate contributes to the coexistence in a limited area of ​​various ecological groups of insects - from aquatic to typically mesophilic and desert.

Insects

The Astrakhan Biosphere Reserve is located in the lower reaches of the Volga Delta. The uniqueness of the natural ecosystems of the Volga Delta and the diversity of microclimates create conditions for the habitat of insects of various ecological groups - from desert to typical mesophilic. There are more than 1300 species.

Many of the insect species living in the delta are associated with water bodies in their life. Therefore, factors associated with fluctuations in the level and condition of surface and ground waters, changes in the hydrological regime, especially during spring floods, have a significant impact on the fauna. The number of dipterous insects is extremely high in the delta: mosquitoes (Culicidae),midges(Simuliidae). During floods, all shallow water bodies are literally teeming with mosquito larvae and pupae. Both adults and their larvae have great importance in the food chains of delta biocenoses.

Beauty shiny

Throughout the warm period, they are ubiquitous dragonflies (Odonata). Their predatory larvae also develop in the water. Most numerous - graceful arrow (Ischnura elegans L . ) and beauty brilliant (Calopteryx splenden s Harr). The largest dragonfly - vigilante-emperor (Anax imperator Jeach) . This species is listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation and the Astrakhan region.

Podalirium

The detachment is richly represented in the entomofauna Zhukov(Coleopter a). There are 400 species of them here: ground beetles (Carabidae), leaf beetles(Chrysochares) ladybugs(Coccinellidae). water beetles in the entomofauna, deltas are quite numerous and are represented by more than 100 species.

Quite often there are representatives locust (Acrididae), grasshopper (Tettigoniidae), hemiptera (Heteroptera). Numerous small cicadas(Cicadinea), mayflies (Ephemeroptera), chironomids (Chironomidae). Fauna butterflies (Lepidoptera) is quite heterogeneous - both species characteristic of steppe and desert landscapes and a few species of "forest butterflies" are found here. In total, about 180 species of butterflies can be found in the delta. Among them are species listed in the Red Book of Russia, for example, a large butterfly from the family of sailboats subalary(Iphiclides podalirius).

Fish-like

The only representative of pisciformes in the reservoirs of the reserve is Caspian lamprey (Caspiomyzon wagneri(Kessler, 1870), migratory species, leading a hidden lifestyle. Lampreys are occasionally recorded in the channels of the reserve in the lower zone of the delta, and in the fore-delta.

Fish

Diversity environmental conditions The reservoirs of the reserve (depth, flow, overgrowing) serve as a prerequisite for the diversity of the species composition of fish, which are represented by 66 registered species (16 families).
The richest in species Carp (CyprinidaeFleming, 1822) (30 species-group taxa) and gobies (GobiidaeFleming, 1822) (11 species-group taxa).

The background species of the reservoirs of the reserve are freshwater fish, mainly carp, are massively distributed in the reservoirs of the reserve:

Carp.
photo Litvinov K.V.

Carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) Valuable commercial semi-anadromous fish. The average size is 60 - 70 cm, there are specimens up to 1 m in length and 25 - 30 kg in weight. Herbivorous species. In the Astrakhan Reserve it is common. Keeps throughout the year in the cultural zone and fore-delta. At the end of April - May, it massively rises to the lower zone of the delta for breeding. Spawning of carp in the fields of the reserve can usually be observed in early and mid-May.

Bream ( Abramis brama(Linnaeus, 1758) This valuable commercial species is found in the Astrakhan Nature Reserve in two ecological forms - semi-anadromous and residential. The semi-anadromous bream enters the reserve in April-early May, rising from the open fore-delta of the Volga to breeding grounds in hollows or kultuks, and after spawning ends at the end of May, it rolls back into the fore-delta. A rare non-water ("living") form of bream is found in the reserve all year round in the lower zone of the delta. The bream feeds on mollusks, worms (benthophage). The average size of a bream is 27 - 32 cm, it can reach 45 cm in length;

Vobla (Rutilus caspicus Jakowlev, 1870) Endemic to the Lower Volga and the Caspian Sea. Valuable commercial semi-anadromous fish. The average size is 17 - 20 cm, can reach 37 cm in length. It is a benthophage - it feeds on mollusks, worms and other bottom dwellers. In the Astrakhan Reserve, this species occurs en masse in spring, during migration to breeding grounds. Vobla spawning in the fields of the reserve can be observed at the end of April - the first half of May;

Tench.
Photo by Litvinov K.V.

Lin ( Tinca tinca Linnaeus, 1758) It is distributed everywhere in the reserve, but is most numerous in the fore-delta and the kultuch zone. A typical inhabitant of slow-flowing and stagnant water bodies. It occurs in all types of water bodies in small numbers. Its catches increase only in May-June, during the breeding season;

common rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus(Linnaeus, 1758) Tuvodny ("residential") numerous species. It lives in all types of permanent reservoirs of the reserve. The rudd is a species with batch spawning - it spawns not all at once, but in two portions. This gives an advantage in the struggle for the survival of the species - if the first portion dies due to adverse conditions, the second has a chance to survive. The first spawning of the rudd in the reserve usually takes place in the middle of May in hollows, the second - at the end of June - July in the kultuchny zone;

Goldfish
Photo by Litvinov K.V.

Silver carp ( Carassius gibelio, Bloch 1758) In the Volga delta, including in the reservoirs of the reserve, it spread in the late 60s. It has become a mass species in the reserve, especially in the fore-delta, since the mid-70s, when the sea level approached the minimum, and the shallow waters of the fore-delta were overgrown with surface and submerged vegetation. The goldfish population in the delta is represented by almost only females. Males are extremely rare (less than 0.1%). The average size of a crucian different years vary from 24 to 26 cm;

Guster (Blicca bjoerkna Linnaeus, 1758), common asp (Aspius aspius(Linnaeus, 1758), bleak (Alburnus alburnus(Linnaeus, 1758); also less common common roach(rutilus rutilus(Linnaeus, 1758), sopa (blue) (ballerus ballerus(Linnaeus, 1758) , sabre(Pelecus cultratus(Linnaeus, 1758), ide(Leuciscusidus(Linnaeus, 1758 ), common dace (Leuciscus leuciscus(Linnaeus, 1758), chub(Squalius cephalus(Linnaeus, 1758), white carp(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix(Valenciennes, 1844), White amur(Ctenopharyngodon idella(Valenciennes, 1844), white-eyed(ballerus sapa (Pallas, 1814), common carp (golden carp)(Carassius carassius(Linnaeus, 1758); also among the carp family in different years, rare cases of registration of the following species were noted: European bitterling(Rhodeus amarus(Bloch, 1782), gudgeon(Gobio gobio brevicirris Fowler, 1976), barbel(barbus barbus(Linnaeus, 1758), common podust(Chondrostoma variabile Jakowlew, 1870), quickie(Alburnoides bipunctatus rossicus Berg, 1924), Caspian shemaya(Alburnus chalcoides(Gueldenstaedt, 1772), common top (Leucaspius delineatus(Heckel, 1843), fisherman (Vimba vimba persa(Linnaeus, 1758), lake minnow(Phoxinus (Eupallasella) percnurus(Pallas, 1814), minnow (Phoxinus (Phoxinus) phoxinus— (Linnaeus, 1758).

Widely distributed, although not so rich in perch species ( Percidae Cuvier, 1816) are massive predatory fish:

river perch
photo Litvinov K.V.

river perch (Perca fluviatilis Linnaeus, 1758) It occurs everywhere in the reservoirs of the reserve, preferring slow-flowing reservoirs. The seasonal dynamics of perch catches in different zones has its own characteristics. In the lower zone, the number of perch increases in early spring, from the end March - beginning April to the beginning of the second decade, rarely mid-May. This is due to the extended spawning run. In the fore-delta and kultuchny zone, the number of perch increases in summer months, since during this period it intensively feeds on the migration of fish fry, migrating after it from the lower zone; Zander (Sander lucioperca Linnaeus, 1758); more rare: common ruff(Gymnocephalus cernuus(Linnaeus, 1758) and Bersh, or Volga pike perch(sander volgensis (Gmelin, 1789). A common large predator is and

Pike, young
Photo by Litvinov K.V.

common pike ( Esox lucius Linnaeus, 1758)- the only representative of its eponymous family ( Esocidae Cuvier, 1816) in Russian water bodies. Valuable commercial non-water (sedentary) species. The average size is 50 - 60 cm, it can reach 1.5 m in length. Predatory fish. In the reservoirs of the Astrakhan Reserve it is found everywhere. It hunts frogs, fish, sometimes small water birds. Attacks victims from an ambush. Pike hunting can be easily seen in the summer in shallow water in the cultural zone or in the foredelta. The spawning period for pike in the Volga delta is March-June, mass spawning usually takes place in April.

Among the families represented on the territory of the reserve by one species of catfish ( Siluridae Cuvier, 1816) -

catfish
photo Litvinov K.V.

European common catfish (Silurus glanis Linnaeus, 1758), a fairly common species. Catfish is the most large predator among the fish inhabiting the reservoirs of the Astrakhan Reserve today. The average size is 90 - 100 cm, specimens up to 3 m long can be found. Catfish have no scales, the body is covered with mucus. It feeds on frogs, crayfish, juvenile fish, large specimens - on fish, occasionally attacks waterfowl. It breeds in May - June. Before spawning, the catfish break into pairs, and the female builds a small nest in the fields or in a shallow kultuk, in which the fertilized caviar develops; rare burbot (Lotidae Bonaparte, 1837) - burbot(lota lota(Linnaeus, 1758), whitefish (Coregonidae Cope, 1872) - white salmon (Stenodus leucichthys(Gueldenstaedt, 1772), salmon (Salmonidae Cuvier, 1816) - Trout (Salmo trutta caspius Kessler, 1877), balitoric (Balitoridae Swainson, 1839) - mustachioed char (barbatula barbatula(Linnaeus, 1758).

catfish
photo Litvinov K.V.

In the fore-delta part of the reserve, there are massive and diverse goby, whose registered representatives include gobies: bull - bull (Knipowitschia caucasica(Berg, 1916), Knipovich's long-tailed goby (Knipowitschia longecaudata(Kessler, 1877), Sandpiper (Neogobius (Neogobius) fluviatilis(Pallas, 1814), Caspian goby(Neogobius (Ponticola) gorlap Iljin, 1949), caspiosome ( Caspiosoma caspium(Kessler, 1877), goby messenger(Neogobius (Babka) gymnotrachelus(Kessler, 1857), Zucik goby(Proterorhinus marmoratus(Pallas, 1814), also found in the ducts, and the button head: Caspian button head(Benthophilus macrocephalus(Pallas, 1787), Berg's button head (Benthophilus leobergius Berg, 1949), Baer's buttonhole (Benthophilus baeri Kessler, 1877), Button head Abdurakhmanov (Benthophilus abdurahmanovi Ragimov, 1978). However, there are good reasons to believe that the family registry is far from complete and needs to be clarified.

Also in the island part of the reserve, representatives of the following families, which are not rich in species, are common: atherine (Atherinidae Risso, 1827) — Atherina(Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810), bobbin (Gasterosteidae Bonaparte, 1831) - Lesser southern stickleback (Syngnathus abaster Risso, 1827), needle (Syngnathidae Bonaparte, 1831) - Chubby (Caspian) pipefish (Syngnathus abaster Risso, 1827), loach (Cobitidae Swainson, 1839) - common loach(Cobitis taenia Linnaeus, 1758) and Loach (Misgurnusfossilis(Linnaeus, 1758).

Rare species include anadromous fish -sturgeons(Acipenseridae Bonaparte, 1831): Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii Brandt et Ratzeburg, 1833), Thorn (Acipenser nudiventris Lovetsky, 1828), Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus Linnaeus, 1758), B eluga (Huso Huso (Linnaeus, 1758), Stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus Pallas, 1771), and herring (Clupeidae Cuvier, 1816): Caspian kilka (sprat) (Slupeonella cultriventris caspia(Svetovidov, 1941), big-eyed shad (Alosa saposchnikowii(Grimm, 1887), blackback (Alosa kessleri (Grimm, 1887), Caspian shad (Alosa saposchnikowii(Grimm, 1887), (the entry of both species of shad into the territory of the reserve at the present time needs to be confirmed) - they are occasionally found in the reservoirs of the reserve only during the period of migration from the sea to spawning grounds in the Volga and return to the sea. Four species: Caspian lamprey, thorn, shemaya, Volga herring (anadromous form) are listed in the Red Book Russian Federation.

A significant part of the reservoirs of the reserve is used by fish during spawning migrations and for spawning. The main spawning areas in the above-water delta are located on water meadows - fields. Here the water warms up early, hydrobionts develop, and the vegetation that has grown up before the start of the flood serves as a substrate for caviar.

Both fry and larger fish are of exceptional importance in the nutrition of animals, birds, amphibians and reptiles of the reserve.

Amphibians and reptiles

Four species are registered in the reserve amphibians: lake frog, common spadefoot, green toad and common tree frog.

lake frog
photo by Kashin A.A.

lake frog(Rana ridibunda Pall., 1771) the most widespread species inhabiting numerous canals, eriki, ilmen and kultuks; it is also distributed in significant quantities in the fore-delta. During hibernation, frogs lie in large clusters in water bodies with good flow. The first meetings of frogs are noted in some years in late February or early March, but the average date for the appearance of the first individuals on the banks of reservoirs is March 22. In early April, frogs emerging from hibernation form mass concentrations along the banks of reservoirs (usually those in which they wintered). A few days before this, the first mating cries are noted. At the end of April - in May, the frogs leave for ilmens and poloi and start spawning. In well-heated shallow waters, eggs appear in the form of gelatinous lumps of 8-10 eggs. After about a week, tadpoles appear. In the second half of July - early August, they migrate from temporary reservoirs to permanent ones, and during the years of successful breeding form mass accumulations on their shores. Much less frequently observed

common spadefoot (Pelobates fuscus Laur., 1769), was first reliably recorded in the reserve in 1981. Occasional night surveys carried out on the Damchik site showed that the number of spadefoot on a trial plot of 0.25 ha reached 14 specimens. It should be noted that information about the digging of amphibians from the ground, which observers vaguely called "frogs", "toads", "earth toads" began to come to the scientific department of the reserve from 1975. Such reports became especially frequent after 1979. It is likely that these observations partially or completely refer to the encounters of the spadefoot. . There is information about registration on the territory of the reservegreen toad(Bufo viridis Laur., 1768) and common tree frog(Hyla arboreaL., 1771) but this information requires confirmation.

A ball of snakes (ordinary and water)
photo by Kashin A.A.

From reptiles in the reserve mass species are Already ordinary (Natrix natrix L., 1758) and Already water(Natrix tessellata Laur., 1768).

The ordinary one is found 3-4 times more often than the water one. Snakes are common along the banks of watercourses, and during the period of high water and before hibernation, they are numerous in dwellings and outbuildings on the cordons of the reserve. The beginning of spring activity falls on the first ten days of April; mating of snakes is preceded by molting and the formation of tangles of 8-10 individuals, of which usually one is female, the rest are males. mating season lasts until mid-May, egg-laying - from late May to early July. Often clutches of 8-10 eggs can be found in dunghills. Incubation lasts 5-6 weeks, and from mid-May to mid-August, completely independent snakes hatch, which immediately spread and lead a hidden lifestyle for some time.

ordinary snake
photo by Kashin A.A.

Apparently, some of the females are fertilized in the fall, the laid eggs overwinter, so, in early April, young snakes appear.

The snakes hibernate either alone or in tangles of several individuals, hiding in various shelters: under the roots of willows, heaps of leaves, in rodent burrows, etc. Hibernation - from late October to late November. They feed mainly on frogs, aquatic insects and their larvae, occasionally small fish. the biology and phenology of both species are very close, but fish occupies a much larger place in the diet of water snakes. In addition, they also feed on frogs, sometimes rodents.

Meet Patterned snake (Elaphe Dione Pall., 1773) Its abundance in the areas of the reserve is low. In warm winters, it can be found in January - February, but usually it becomes active in late March - early April. The average long-term date of the first meetings is April 7th. The mating season basically coincides with that of snakes. Snakes and snakes make up the food of herons, harriers, foxes, raccoon dogs and wild boars, especially during the flood, when different animals gather in "experiencing stations";

swamp turtle
photo by Kashin A.A.

swamp turtle (Emys orbicularis L., 1758) A common component of the herpetofauna of the reserve. She prefers eriki with a low flow rate, where she hibernates.

A female lizard
photograph by Litvinova N.V.

Wake up times from hibernation vary depending on the duration and timing of the onset of phenological seasons. Medium In the mass, turtles appear in mid-April along the banks of canals and eriks, where in the sun on fallen reeds or floating snags. During the breeding season, they can be observed at a considerable distance from water bodies. There, females dig shallow holes, where they lay up to 10 eggs. The number of clutches is different, but not less than 2 - 3, as evidenced by the extended dates for the appearance of turtles (from April 18 to November 4). Eggs laid in autumn and young turtles overwinter and emerge in early spring. Departure of turtles for wintering is also extended and depends on the weather conditions of autumn. In some years, the last individuals were recorded in mid-September, and sometimes in November. Marsh turtles feed on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, occasionally on plants;

quick lizard ( Lacerta agilis L., 1758) in small numbers inhabits dry places of the reserve. The average long-term date of the first meetings is April 15, the mating season begins in late April - May. Lizard eggs are laid in late May - June, young ones appear in August. Lizards leave for wintering in October - November. They feed exclusively on small invertebrates, while they themselves often become prey to terrestrial predators.

Avifauna

The Volga Delta is one of the most important areas of mass accumulation of birds on the Eurasian continent during periods of seasonal migration. In the areas of the Astrakhan Reserve, the concentration of migratory waterfowl and near-water birds is especially high: anseriformes(14 types), waders (25), gulls (7), ankle(11 species). The total duration of migrations here is 9 months a year - from March to November. In addition to the usual spring and autumn migrations, passing in transit, in the reserve, as well as in the delta as a whole, there are movements of birds of a different nature: migrations of many species, pre-migratory movements of local populations and non-breeding birds, non-periodic migrations of wintering birds, etc. Only in June do migrations noticeably fade, but do not stop completely.

During periods of migration, swans predominate - whoopers (Cygnus cygnus) and mute (Gygnus color), gray geese(anser anser), mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) , pintail (Anas acuta), teals - whistles (Anas crecca) and codfish (Anas querquedula), gray ducks(Anas strepera), shovelers(Anas clypeata), red-nosed (Netta Rufina) andred-headed (Aythya ferina) dives, crested ducks(Aythya fuligula) and loot(Mergus albellus) . Numerous during the nesting season storks, copepods and charadriiformes, especially big white(Egretta alba) and gray (Ardea cinerea) herons, great cormorants(Phalacrocorax carbo) , few black-headed gulls(Larus ridibundus) and laughter (Larus cachinnans) , black-headed gulls(Larus ichthyaetus) , barnacles (Chlidonias hybridus) ,white-winged ( Chlidonias leocopterus) and black(Chlidonias Niger) terns. There are huge concentrations of migrating birds in the Damchiksky area, i.e., in the southwestern part of the lower reaches of the Volga delta, where in spring water bodies are opened from ice earlier than in other places, and in winter they freeze later. In March-April, up to 8-9 thousand birds stay near the Makarkin Peninsula and in the surrounding water area. whooper swans, in autumn (in October - November) - up to 12 thousand. Together with them, local and migratory mute swans. Autumn stops swans long. whooper swans They stay in the shallow waters of the kultuchnaya zone and the fore-delta until complete freezing. Many swans and geese during this time they feed on rhizomes and nuts lotus, whose thickets are especially extensive on the territory of the Damchik section of the reserve. The reserve is located on one of the largest flyways of waterfowl and shorebirds nesting in the West Siberian Lowland, Northern Kazakhstan and other areas and wintering in the vast area of ​​southern Western Europe, Africa and Asia Minor.

The avifauna of the reserve includes 283 species of birds, of which 99 nest, 155 occur during migration and wintering periods, and 23 fly irregularly (Table 2). The basis of the local avifauna is wetland birds nesting on trees or in reed-cattail thickets, but trophically associated with water bodies; more than 30 types - forest birds ; only 3 species each belong to the inhabitants of meadow ecosystems and synanthropes. The bird population of the reserve is diverse and abundant. The richness of the avifauna is determined by the peculiarities of ecological conditions and geographical location.

The territory of the reserve is part of the wetland of international importance "Delta of the Volga River".

According to the zoogeographical analysis, 50% of bird species nesting in the Volga Delta are transpalearctic or even more widespread forms, 24.1% of the species belong to the European type of fauna, 15.8% to the Mediterranean, 9.2% to the Mongolian and 0 .9% - to Chinese.

80% of the birds nesting throughout the Volga delta are represented in the reserve, and during periods of seasonal migration, 96% of bird species of this category were recorded.

The Volga Delta is the habitat and temporary residence of a number of rare and endangered species of birds listed in the Red Books International Union for Nature Protection (IUCN Red list–2006) (18 species) and the Russian Federation (42 species). 64 species of birds are listed in the Red Book of the Astrakhan region. 27 species of birds listed in the Red Book of Russia nest in the Astrakhan Reserve. are nestingcurly pelican(Pelecanus crispus) (small colonies in the Damchiksky and Obzhorovsky plots),spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), loaf (Plegadis falcinellus), Egyptian heron(Bubulcus ibis) (single on the Trekhizbinsky site),osprey (Pandion haliaetus) (1 pair), white-tailed eagle(Haliaeetus albicilla) (up to 50–70 pairs in three sites),saker falcon(falco cherrug) (one pair previously nested in the Damchik site),little bustard (Tetrax tetrax) (2–3 pairs on the Damchik site),stilt (Himantopus himantopus) (several pairs in the same place). During periods of seasonal migrations and wanderings,black-headed gull, little cormorant(Phalacrocorax pygmaeus), lesser white-fronted goose (anser erythropus), stilt, peregrine falcon(falco peregrinus); rare in migrationred-throated goose(Rufibrenta ruficollis), golden eagle(Aquila chrysaetos), steppe eagle(Aquila rapax), Siberian Crane (Grus leucogeranus), avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta), Avdotka (Burhinus oedicnemus), bustard (Otis tarda), pink pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus). fly in black stork(Ciconia Nigra), flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus); have not been recorded for a long time, but encounters are possible during periods of migration withsmall swan(Cygnus bewickii), savanka (Oxyura leucocephala).

In the group of wetland birds, the most species-rich and numerous are Anseriformes. nests a lot mute swans, gray geese, mallards and red-nosed pochards. mute swan especially vividly illustrates the positive impact of the reserve on its population in the Volga delta. Its restoration began from the territory of the reserve. In 1938, the first nest was found on the Obzhorovsky site. At the end of the 40s. nesting in this area became regular, and in 1953 about 15 pairs were already nesting. On the Trekhizbinsky site, the first nests of swans were discovered in 1952, on the Damchiksky site - in 1953. mute swans began to settle outside the reserve, especially in the lands near the Obzhorovsky site. In 1961, 215 pairs nested in the Obzhorovsky area, with 162 nests in groups of 5–7, and 30 nests were counted in one. Total population delta population in 1963 reached 755 pairs. In 1967 the population swans on the Obzhorovsky site reached a maximum of 327 pairs, after which it began to decrease due to their eviction to adjacent lands. In 1981–1984 from 270 to 400 pairs nested in the Damchiksky section, from 4 to 11 pairs in the Trekhizbinsky section, from 250 to 350 pairs of mute birds nested in the Obzhorovsky section, and 4-5 thousand pairs in the entire delta. In the early 1990s, due to the rise in the water level, there was a sharp decrease in nesting pairs. Currently, the number of nesting is growing again.

Colonies are of particular interest. legged and copepod birds. Willow forests serve as their main nesting site. A rare phenomenon is typical here: for many years there have been colonies in the areas in which they nest together. grey, yellow(Ardeola ralloide s), great egret and little egret(Egretta garzetta), night heron(Nycticorax nycticorax), spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), loaf (Plegadis falcinellus), occasionally Egyptian heron(Bubulcus ibis). Great cormorants nest separately or form mixed colonies with herons and loaves. In 2008–2010 10.0-12 thousand cormorants and 1.0-1.5 thousand shanks nested in the reserve. The number of these birds varied within the usual limits characteristic of local populations. Herons and cormorants fly to feed on the seashore in shallow sea bays - kultuks and on poloi, which are rich in fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Some species included in the international Red Book:

Curly Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) - rare breeding species. From 1930 to 1967 Dalmatian pelicans nested on the territory of the Astrakhan Reserve. Shallowing and overgrowing of the seaside caused the migration of pelicans outside the reserve to the south - to the slope of the depths of the Northern Caspian. AT early XXI centuries, small nesting colonies reappeared in the Damchik and Obzhorovsky areas. The number in the Volga delta has reached 400 pairs and is on the rise. Included in the IUCN 2006 Red List as Vulnerable (VU).

White-eyed black ( Aythya nyroca)

Migratory, molting and very rare nesting species. It nests in hard-to-reach grounds (inland reed linings), which determines the exceptional rarity of nest finds. It also molts in hard-to-reach areas on small inland reservoirs, in reed beds flooded with water. In the early autumn period at the Damchik site, the previously white-eyed duck formed small clusters in places with abundant submerged aquatic vegetation (often together with coots). Autumn migration lasts until the third decade of November. Listed in the IUCN Red Book 2006, the species is declining.

marble teal(Anas angustirostris)- apparently, an extinct species in the Volga delta. Is under the threat of extinction. In duck captures carried out in 1961 - 1983. for the purpose of banding, there were no marble teals. saker falcon(falco cherrug) - Several cases of nesting have been recorded. Decreasing species.Roller (Coracias garrulus) - common, breeding and migratory species. The time of stay in the delta is from the end of April to the end of September. They nest in hollows and crevices of trees. Regularly found on communication lines and power supply.

The territory of the reserve plays an important role not only as a nesting place for rare species, but also as an important place for stops on migration and wintering of rare species. Of the waterfowl on migration, there are such rare species as lesser white-fronted goose (anser erythropus), red-throated goose (Rufibrenta ruficollis) is endemic Western Siberia, the only relic of the genus. Flights happen ducks (Oxyura leucocephala) is an endangered relict species. Of the falconiformes, the most valuable are typical representatives of the steppes and forest-steppes, which often fly into protected area during wanderings. This is steppe harrier (Circus macrourus) is an endemic of the steppes of Eurasia, great spotted eagle (Aguila clanga) and steppe kestrel(falco naumanni) is endangered. For Siberian Crane(Grus leucogeranus), an endangered and migratory species, the reserve plays an important role in the preservation of its ob group during the migration of birds wintering in Iran. From 1928 to 1985, from 2 to 22 Siberian Cranes were observed in the spring on the Damchik section of the reserve. In March 1991, 5 birds were seen at eastern border this area. In the Obzhorovsky section of the reserve, in recent decades, 1–4 birds have been observed during spring and autumn migrations.

Family bustards represented by two types - bustard (Otis tarda) and with trepidation(Tetrax tetrax); both species are listed in the IUCN 2006 Red List. Bustards are noted in small numbers during periods of migration: for 1976 - 1985. 6 sightings of solitary birds and flocks of 4-11 individuals were recorded on the Damchik site. The little bustard nested irregularly near the northern border of this area, and in autumn migratory flocks of up to 100 birds appeared here.

Rare zalety lapwings (Chettusia gregaria), endangered, endemic to Russia and Kazakhstan and steppe tirkushka (Glareola nordmanni).

mammals

The species composition of the theriofauna of the reserve is relatively poor. It includes 33 representatives of mammals of seven orders, Distinctive features fauna - high productivity and dynamism of populations of some animal species. In the fauna of mammals there are 33 species from 7 orders: insectivores (4), bats (8), hares (1), rodents (8), carnivores (9), pinnipeds (1) and artiodactyls (3). The distribution of some species is associated with extrazonal coastal landscapes: voles(ordinary (Microtus arvalis) and water (Crocidura suaveolens Pallas, 1811)) , harvest mouse(Apodemus agrarian), baby mouse (Micromus minutes), ermine(Mustella erminea), boar (Sus scrofa), otter (Lutra lutra), white-bellied and lesser shrews(Crocidura leucodon Hermann, 1780) , muskrat(Ondatra zibethicus), raccoon dog(Nyctereutesprocyonoides), American mink (Mustella vison). Others are widespread house mouse(Mus muscle), gray rat (Rattus norvegicus), fox(Vulpes vulpes), wolf(Canis lupus). Still others are noted on the territory of the reserve only with rare accidental visits, such as, for example, saiga(Saiga Tatarica). If we do not take into account species that are non-permanent or whose presence is not currently confirmed, then the reserve-specific group will number only about 20 species, a fifth of which are introduced and phylogenetically not related to the Volga delta.

The order of insectivores is represented in the reserve by four species.

eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus H. auritus Gmelin, 1770) lives intermittently, isolated cases of its appearance are recorded only after a number of years with a low level of flood. Malaya and white-bellied shrew- quite numerous representatives of the detachment.

Russian desman(Desmana moschata) is a species included in the Red Books of the Russian Federation (status 2), Astrakhan Region and IUCN (status VU). There is very little information about her. This is a rare relic species of Russia that is declining in number.

Of the hare-like order, the most characteristic representative of the desert-steppe faunistic complex is hare (Lepus europaeus).

The order of bats, one of the least studied orders of mammals in the reserve, is represented by mediterranean bat(Pipistrellus kuhli),bat Nathusius ( Pipistrellus Nathusii) , late (Eptesicus serotinus) and two-tone leather(Vespertilio murinus) , redhead party(Nyctalus noctula) (some only during seasonal migrations).

The composition of the theriofauna of the reserve includes 9 species of rodents; two of them (beaver and muskrat), acclimatized in the Volga delta, the rest are natives. Beaver imported from the Voronezh Reserve. Since 1975 the population beaver is degrading, the last traces of the presence of beavers date back to 1993. One of the main reasons for the disappearance is the increase in the water level in the delta in winter as a result of the discharge of its Volgograd hydroelectric power station, leading to flooding of dwellings and the death of animals.

Introduced in the Volga delta in 1953–1954. To date, independently, and also thanks to a number of intra-regional issues muskrat populated almost the entire delta and became an integral component of the biocenoses of the reserve. It lives in burrows along the banks of eriks and channels, but here its numbers are low due to large seasonal fluctuations in water levels. The hydrological, feeding and nesting conditions for it are much better in the kultuch zone and especially in the fore delta. The muskrat lives mainly in huts. water vole was numerous until the end of the 60s, now its number has decreased. common vole common in meadow, willow-forb, reed and reed-sedge stands, but more common in the last two.

Tamarisk gerbil(Meriones tamariscinus) was first discovered in 1989 on a salt marsh near Erik Babyatsky in the Damchik area. At present, large colonies of tamarisk gerbil have densely populated the territory around the northern part of the Damchik section of the reserve.

The order of carnivores is represented by three families: canine, marten and feline. Of the canines, the most numerous - raccoon dog acclimatized in the delta in 1936 and 1939. The best living conditions raccoon dog found in the lower zone of the above-water delta, i.e., just where the sections of the reserve are located.

Wolves live permanently in all three areas.

Fox typical for the biocenoses of the upper and middle zones of the above-water delta, but also common in the reserve.

Of the marten in the reserve live: Ermine (Mustela erminea L.) , weasel (Mustella nivalis) ,

(Mustela vison Bris.)

The most numerous is ermine. It inhabits all land biotopes. weasel very rare in the reserve. Mink- an introducer, appeared in the Volga delta in the early 70s. as a result of adaptation to natural conditions of animals that escaped from fur farms.

(Lutra lutra L.)- the original inhabitant of the Volga delta; it lives in all areas of the reserve, but is more numerous in Damchiksky. Outside the reserve, the otter lives only in remote, hard-to-reach places, so it is its important natural reserve. In the summer, signs of stay, and even more so, the animals themselves, are difficult to detect. In winter, their characteristic traces can be seen in many polynyas. Often here you can find evidence of her successful hunting - fish, more often carp and catfish, the mass of which sometimes reaches several kilograms, frogs, crayfish, aquatic insects.

Caspian seal
photo Litvinov K.V.

Caspian seal ( seal) (Phoca caspica) is celebrated in spring and autumn singly at the Obzhorovsky and Damchiksky sites during its migration for shoals of fish going for spawning and wintering in the arms of the Volga. It is found not only in the water area of ​​the fore-delta, but also in the channels. The seal, the only mammal of the fauna of the Caspian Sea, is one of the final trophic links of the reservoir, secondly, because the influence of the seal on the stocks and dynamics of the number of fish living in the Caspian Sea is sometimes a decisive biotic factor, with which only the anthropogenic factor can be compared. The nature of the seasonal distribution of animals within the range is determined mainly by the three main periods of the annual cycle - breeding, molting and feeding period.

There is very little information about reed cat (Felischaus) . According to them, reed cat

was common until the mid-1950s, later it became less and less common. From time to time there are reports about it, however, to date, the fate of this species is unknown, it is necessary special studies.

is the only ungulate that permanently lives in all areas of the reserve - from the reeds of the above-water delta to the fore-delta islands. This is one of the most important species components of biocenoses. The territory of the reserve, thanks to the developed hydrographic network and the presence of riverbanks, actually serves as a "maternity hospital" for animals from the adjacent lowlands of the "reed" belt. In the last years before the birth of piglets, there were 400–800 wild boars in the reserve. Extensive reed-cattail supports are very favorable for the life of wild boars. However, the rise of water during the flood displaces them from the lowest places (kultuks, ilmens) to the riverbeds: most of the wild boars accumulate here in May–June. With a high and prolonged flood, which occurs in the delta once every 6–8 years, wild boars and other animals die from hunger, fatigue and hypothermia. To save the animals in the areas of the reserve, earthen mounds-hummocks were built, on which top dressing is placed during the flood.

Mammals are the most important structural element ecosystems. Their species composition in the areas of the reserve, with a few exceptions, is identical. Basic environmental factor, which determines the state and nature of the dynamics of mammal populations, is hydrological.

Caspian Sea, there are 76 species and 47 subspecies in total. The Astrakhan region has long been famous for sturgeons, which in Russia were called "red" fish. In total, 5 species of sturgeon live here - Russian sturgeon, stellate sturgeon, beluga, spike and sterlet.

Vegetation of the Astrakhan region

The species composition of the region's flora is not rich. On the territory of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain and the Volga delta, as a result of research, about 500 plant species belonging to 82 families have been identified. The richest among these families are the genera of wormwood, pondweed, astragalus, sedge, milkweed and saltwort.
The Caspian deserts are the realm of semi-shrub wormwood, among which the most common is white wormwood, poor-flowered or black wormwood, and sandy wormwood. In total, the genus Artemisia is represented by 10 species. Desert plants as a result of evolution have developed a number of features that allow them to endure the lack of moisture and salinity of the soil. In many species of species, the leaves have changed - the surface area of ​​​​the leaf has become much smaller. Some have strengthened shoots. As a rule, the underground part of desert plants is 19-20 times more powerful than the above-ground part. Plant species such as soleros, knobby sarsazan, multi-branched tamarix, Gmelin's kermek - salt-loving plants grow here. Ephedra two-eared, thin-legged, feather grass, Schober's saltpeter, gray teresken, giant grate, fescue, desert wheatgrass are typical representatives of the desert fauna of our region. The vegetation cover of the desert is exceptionally dynamic, which is associated with the movement of the soil. In general, the desert flora has 160-200 species, and the leading families here are Compositae, haze and cereals.
The plant composition of the Lower Volga valley is closely related to moisture. A sharp change in moisture in the floodplain and delta prevents the spread of forests. They grow only in narrow strips (ribbon or gallery forests) along riverbeds and channels; the main spaces are occupied by meadows. Black poplar, ash, elm and willow are common here. In meadows with little moisture, there are ground reed grass, sorrel sorrel, blueberry, pontic wormwood, Russian bedstraw, horned bird's foot. Wetter meadows are occupied by awnless brome, narrow-leaved bluegrass, madder-shaped bedstraw (in the floodplain) and sea tuber, medicinal marshmallow and other species. Moistened and waterlogged habitats are occupied by acute sedge, broad-leaved marshmallow, southern reed, fence sedge, coastal sedge (in the delta). The coastal region of the delta is dominated by tall reed beds. In the underwater part of the delta, spiral vallisneria, hornworts, urut, pondweeds, and an underwater form of umbrella susak grow. These peculiar "underwater meadows" are an excellent place for the growth and development of many semi-anadromous fish.
The flora of the Caspian Sea differs sharply in species composition from the flora of the underwater part of the delta. The higher plants of the Caspian are represented by only five species. These are seagrass zostera, comb pondweed, sea naiad, spiral rupee and sea rupee. Green, blue-green and diatoms also dominate here, of which there are more than 700 species. In addition to them, golden algae, pyrophytes, euglenoids, brown, char, and red algae are noted in the Caspian Sea. Most of the algae species of the Caspian Sea belong to phytoplankton. These algae are the basis of fish resources.
Also on the territory of the Astrakhan region, medicinal plants grow, of which there are more than 100 species. It is necessary to note the peculiarity of medicinal plants growing in the southern regions of Russia. The closer to the south, the higher the content of active medicinal substances, the stronger the effect they have on the human body. About a third of medicinal plants of the Astrakhan region are poisonous. In small doses, toxic substances have a therapeutic effect, and species containing these substances are also medicinal. These species include: white acacia, leafless anabasis and solonchak anabasis, black henbane, common dope, common kirzan, May lily of the valley and other plants. Many species of medicinal plants are very rare. Harvesting of such plants is impossible and unacceptable. These species include thyme (thyme), May lily of the valley, walnut lotus, calamus. But not only poisonous medicinal plants grow in the region. There are also non-poisonous individuals: marshmallow officinalis, licorice naked, couch grass, medicinal dandelion, sandy immortelle, gray blackberry, narrow-leaved goof, wandering pamelia (cut-grass, crow's feet - the popular name).
cultivated plants also not uncommon in the Astrakhan region in the 13th century, watermelons began to be sown near Astrakhan, from where they spread throughout southern Russia. In the middle of the 20th century, a research institute for irrigated vegetable growing and melon growing was established. Tomatoes are the most common crop in the region. Processing plants produce high-quality tomato juice, hot sauce, tomato paste and puree, ketchup and other products. Astrakhan tomatoes enjoy well-deserved fame throughout the European part of Russia. For the first time in the country, the first vineyards appeared in Astrakhan, grapes began to produce raisins, juice, and wine. Recently, rice has become widespread on the territory of the Astrakhan region. Also grow here fruit plants: apple, quince, strawberry

Fauna of the Astrakhan region

The fauna of the region is quite diverse. This is facilitated by the peculiar location of the territory and climatic conditions.
First of all, these conditions are favorable for the life of protozoa. In the reservoirs of the delta, there are about 150 species. Badyaga also lives here - this animal belongs to the class of sponges. It has long been used in folk medicine for rubbing bruises, treating radiculitis, rheumatism.
5 species of coelenterates live in the Caspian Sea basin: hydra, American Blackfordia, Black Sea Merizia, Balitian Butenvillea, Polypodium, and another type of hydra: craspedacusta. Annelids are found in the ground. There are about 10 species of earthworms or earthworms in the soils of the region. Snail and fish leeches are found in fresh water bodies of the delta.
The delta is also home to about 80 species of molluscs. The class of bivalve ones includes toothless, barley, balls, zebra mussels and others. Their body is placed in a shell, which consists of two flaps. All mollusks purify water by filtering it in search of food. One mollusk purifies about 150-200 liters of water per day. gastropods, which have a solid tubular shell covering the back of the mollusk, are represented in our region by pond snails, shutters, river livebearers, physes, coils, meadowsweet .. About 260 species of crustaceans live in the Northern Caspian. The most common representatives: daphnia, copepods crayfish, mysids, gammarids, cumaceans and others. Narrow-toed crayfish is the only representative of decapod crayfish in the Volga delta.
Arachnids have chosen the surface layer of the atmosphere and the surface layer of the soil for their habitat. They can be found in the forest, steppe, desert, field, living quarters. Large salpugs, motley scorpion, spiders and ticks are found within the region. Karaurt is one of the most dangerous spiders in Russia, its poison is 15 times more toxic than poison rattlesnake. About 6% of those bitten die. South Russian tarantula- a spider no less famous in the Astrakhan region .. This is also a poisonous spider, but the bite of a tarantula is not fatal for a person. In addition to karakurts and tarantulas, 6 more species live on the territory. poisonous spiders: black spider, eresus, cross, argiope and others. They cannot cause serious harm to a person. Often there are spiders - side walkers. They deftly jump on the flowers. They do not weave nets, catching victims with a swoop. Some of them feed on plant juices or nectar. The features of the relief and climate of the Astrakhan region favor the life of insects. In total, there are about one and a half thousand species of insects. Terrestrial beetles live in the region: rhinoceros beetle, marble beetle, pimella, odorous beetle, trellised ground beetle, golden and marble beetles. Of the aquatic, one should indicate large and numerous water lovers - large and black, as well as a fringed swimmer. The large water-lover is most often confused in our area with the May beetle. One of the most dangerous Agriculture becomes uninvited guest from America - the Colorado potato beetle, which eats potato leaves. and other cultures.
A detachment of bedbugs is represented in the Astrakhan region mainly by waterfowl: the greblyak, the ranatra, the smooth and others. But the most famous representative is water striders.
Order of Lepidoptera - butterflies. There are about 140 species of butterflies in the Astrakhan region. The most numerous are: fiery chervonets, Icarus pigeon, argiat, raspberry, beautiful pigeon and silver pigeon - small or medium-sized butterflies. Of the large butterflies, there are numerous: meadow jaundice, cabbage, lemongrass, burdock, cornwing, bears, swallowtail, podalirium and a number of others. The large peacock eye is the largest of the butterflies. Here it is fashionable to meet podalirium, whites, scoops and moths, euphorbia, ruled, bindweed, small wine, poplar hawk and tongue. Our region is also rich in dragonflies. The largest of them are the esna, or simply the yoke, and the anax, the watchman.
Class bony fish - large group aquatic animals of the Astrakhan region. If we consider fish that live not only in the Volga, but also in the Caspian Sea, then in total there are 76 species and 47 subspecies. The Astrakhan region has long been famous for sturgeons, which in Russia were called "red" fish. In total, 5 species of sturgeon live here - Russian sturgeon, stellate sturgeon, beluga, spike and sterlet. The first four species are anadromous, and the sterlet is a freshwater fish. Also, a hybrid of beluga and sterlet is bred - bester. Herring species are represented by Caspian shad, common sprat and black-backed and Volga herring. Of the salmon species in the region, there is a white fish, from the pike order, the only representative is the pike. Carp fish of the lower reaches of the Volga include bream, carp, roach, rudd, gold and silver carp, asp, silver bream, gudgeon, grass carp, white and motley silver carp. Perch are represented by river perch, ruff, as well as zander and bersh. The only representative of the stickleback order, the southern stickleback, is found everywhere in stagnant shallow freshwater reservoirs of the lower reaches of the Volga River.
Amphibians occupy an intermediate position between aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates. In the Astrakhan region, representatives of only the tailless detachment live - the lake frog, the green toad and the common spadefoot.
Of the order of turtles, only one species is found in the region - the marsh turtle. And among the lizards, the most common are the agile lizard, colorful and fast lizards, eared round-headed, round-tailed round-headed, takyr round-headed and squeaky gecko. Close relatives of lizards are snakes. These peculiar animals are characterized by an unblinking gaze, a forked tongue, and poisonousness. The group of snakes in the Astrakhan region has 10 species. Common and water snakes, yellow-bellied, four-striped and patterned snakes, verdigris, lizard snake, sand boa, steppe viper and Pallas muzzle live here. The most common types of snakes in the lower reaches of the Volga are ordinary and water snakes.
About 260 bird species can be found within the Astrakhan region. Some (sedentary) can be met all year round, others (migratory and nomadic) - during migrations. The order of passerines includes house and field sparrows, chickadees - great and blue tit, common thrush, blackbirds - fieldfare, black and songbirds, swallows - coastal, urban and rural, broad-tailed, chaffinch, gray and black-fronted shrikes, grosbeak, field lark, gray crow, rook , jackdaw, magpie and many others. Thrush warbler is a typical inhabitant of reed thickets. Remez is a bird smaller than a sparrow, and the yellow-headed kinglet is the smallest of the birds of the Astrakhan region. From the order of storks in the region there are herons - gray, white - small and large, red, yellow, Egyptian, as well as spoonbill, loaf, large and small bittern, night heron. Of the anseriformes, we meet the gray goose, swans - mute and whooper, mallard, gray duck, ruddy shelduck. teal crackling and many others. From the family of gulls, herring and black-headed gulls are common, as well as terns - small birds similar to gulls, but with a beak without a hook and a forked tail. In the delta, there are black, white-winged and common terns. Of the owls in the lower reaches of the Volga, there is a gray owl, a short-eared owl, a little owl, an eagle owl, a splyuska and a long-eared owl. On the territory of the region you can also meet beautiful birds - steppe eagle, goshawk, reed, steppe, field and marsh harriers, black kite, buzzard, saker falcon, hobby falcon, falcon, common kestrel, osprey and a number of other species.
The total number of species of mammals living in our country does not exceed. From the order of rodents in the Astrakhan region there are ground squirrels - small and yellow, midday and combed gerbils. jerboas - terry-legged and imamranchik, field and house mice, mouse - baby, gray rat (pasyuk), common and water voles, muskrat, beaver, common mole voles, gray hamster and some other species. From the group of carnivores, the wolf, the common fox, the corsac fox, the raccoon dog, the steppe polecat, the bandage, the ermine, the weasel, the badger, the otter and others live in the region. In recent years, in the lower reaches of the Volga, another species of predatory species has begun to occur - the American mink. This animal, which has valuable fur, was grown on our farms. Part of the animals escaped from the fur farm, multiplied, forming a fairly large natural population. The detachment of artiodactyls is represented on the territory of the region by wild boar, an inhabitant of reed thickets, saiga, an inhabitant of flat steppes and semi-deserts, and elk. Universe and a new species of ungulates - Noble deer. Most of the domestic animals bred in the farms of the region also belong to the order of artiodactyls. The Astrakhan Territory is a region of developed sheep breeding, and the natural conditions of some regions of the region are favorable for breeding "ships of the desert" - camels. Bactrian camels of the Kalmyk (Astrakhan) breed are bred here. The order of pinnipeds includes only one species - the Caspian seal (nerpa). This is marine mammal giving birth to babies on ice.
We also have muskrat, hedgehogs - eared and occasionally common, small and white-bellied shrews, which are insectivorous animals. These are very useful animals for humans, as they destroy a large number of harmful insects.

The Astrakhan region, due to its location in the Caspian lowland, has truly unique natural resources. The region is predominantly desert. There are also small forests, but they do not cover large areas. In the Astrakhan region there are protected areas, as well as Lake Baskunchak, known throughout the world for its unique composition.

The desert landscape of the area created favorable conditions for the reproduction of representatives of the animal and plant world. certain types, which can be found far from in every corner of the vast homeland.

The flora of the Astrakhan region

At first glance, it might seem that vegetable world Astrakhan region is very poor. In fact, it is. Not every plant will be able to adapt to a hot climate. Desert areas tend to be characterized by stunted vegetation accustomed to arid climates. The territory of the Astrakhan Territory is no exception in this regard. Here you can find varieties of wormwood, sedge, spurge and desert wheatgrass, etc.

The area in the Volga delta has more high percent humidity, so the vegetation here is richer. The territory of this part of the region is no longer so deserted, the main part of the space is occupied by meadows. In addition, you can find small forests consisting of poplars, elms and willows. Other vegetation is also found, such as southern reed, coastal sedge, horned rock-foot and sorrel.

The main niche of the region's vegetation is occupied by agricultural crops. Fruits and vegetables that grow in the Astrakhan region serve as a source of vitamins not only local residents, but also nearby, and not only, cities of the country. People grow watermelons on melons, grapes, cherries and strawberries ripen in every garden. Apricots and apples here also do not surprise anyone.

Fauna of the Astrakhan region

The fauna of the Astrakhan region is incredibly diverse. Here you can meet a lot of such inhabitants of the land and the underwater world, which are far from everywhere. First of all, reservoirs contain not only a huge number of fish, but also hydras, several types of mollusks and a variety of worms. Fish species include herring, sturgeon breeds, gobies, salmon, buttonheads and white salmon.

The richest and most diverse fauna of the Volga delta. There are almost five thousand arthropods here, including a huge number of beetles, butterflies, bugs, homoptera or hymenoptera. There are a huge number of spiders in the Astrakhan Territory, and some of them are dangerous to human life, for example, karakurt or South Russian tarantula.

Surrounded by ponds, you can meet frogs or turtles. In desert areas, you can occasionally stumble upon snakes. Among the harmless representatives, the snake is widespread, and among the poisonous ones, the viper and muzzle. Passerines, gray herons, white-tailed birds, swans, gray geese, etc. predominate among the birds.

Typical representatives of mammals in the Astrakhan region include saiga, fox, wild boar, and American mink. You can also meet wolves, ground squirrels, otters or European roe deer.

The climate of the Astrakhan region

Climatic conditions of the Astrakhan region are moderately continental. It is located in an arid zone, which is manifested warm winters and hot summer. On the territory of the Astrakhan region, there is a choice of air masses in several directions, namely, from the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and Kazakhstan.

The air of the region is quite dry, it is especially pronounced in the summer. The reason for this is the influence of the east winds. Precipitation in this area is quite rare. In winter, it often rains, snow is an extremely rare occurrence, if it falls, it quickly melts. Precipitation is very rare in summer.

The Astrakhan Nature Reserve represents the unique nature of the lower reaches of the Volga delta - one of the largest deltas in the world. It should be especially noted that the reserve is located in the lower reaches of the delta and fully characterizes the natural environment only in this region, which differs significantly from other regions located upstream. The location on the sea edge of the delta, i.e., on the border of the land and the inland sea-lake with a very variable level, determines the great dynamism of the natural complexes of the lower reaches of the delta.

Astrakhan Nature Reserve

Astrakhan land is the land of a thousand islands, steppes and a great variety of salt lakes, of which there are more than seven hundred. However, the largest lake - Baskunchak - is an amazing creation of nature, one of the largest salt deposits in the world. A huge lake in a hot desert and a lonely mountain have attracted the attention of people since ancient times. Many legends and fairy tales were composed about them by the ancient nomads.

Where is

South of Astrakhan, the Volga splits into many branches and channels, forming an estuary. Here, in the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain (80-120 kilometers below Astrakhan), the Astrakhan Reserve is located, which began its existence in 1919. The reserve consists of three sections: Damchansky - in the western part, Trekhizbinsky - in the central part and Obzhorovsky - in the eastern part. Initially, the area of ​​the reserve was 23 thousand hectares, but with the drop in the level of the Caspian Sea and the growth of the delta, the area of ​​​​the reserve increased to about 60 thousand hectares.

To date, the area of ​​the Astrakhan Biosphere Reserve is 67,917 hectares.

Climate

The climate of the Astrakhan region is sharply continental - with high temperatures in summer, low - in winter, as well as with large summer daily air temperature amplitudes, low precipitation and high evaporation.

The Astrakhan Biosphere Reserve is located in a semi-desert zone, so grasses, wormwood and saltwort predominate in the vegetation cover. In general, the Astrakhan Nature Reserve is the only place in Russia where flora is represented from coastal plants to desert plants.

The hydrological regime plays an important role in the formation of the relief and the entire appearance of the land and water bodies of the delta, their vegetation cover and wildlife. It is determined by the volume of the Volga runoff, the nature of its distribution over the seasons and channels, the strength and direction of the winds, and the level of the Caspian Sea. In the annual course of the water level in the delta, spring-summer floods, summer-autumn low water, winter level rise, and level drops in the pre-flood and pre-freeze periods are distinguished. The life of the natural complex is most affected by floods. During this period, a hollow is formed, where many species of fish spawn in mass.

Spring waters bring a large amount of suspended matter into the delta, the settling of which forms new islands and spits, and also leads to the vertical and horizontal growth of existing islands. Spring runoff brings nutrients that enter many food chains.

Numerous adaptations of plants and animals are associated with the nature and duration, as well as changes in the water level during the rest of the year. We can assume that the water regime determines not only the appearance of the landscape of the delta, but also the conditions for the existence of all life.

Plants of the Astrakhan Reserve

There are three types of vegetation in the reserve - forest, meadow and water. Such “inhabitants of the deep sea” grow under water, such as dark green hornwort, small and marine naiads, charophytes - nitellepsis, Uzbek and common char.

Above the surface of the water you can see such unusual plants as pondweed (brilliant, pierced, comb, Berthold, curly), uruti (whorled and spiked). Rarely found aquatic plants can also be found: water chestnut, shield-leaved nymphaeum, yellow capsule, pure white water lily, common water color and floating salvinia.

Nut-bearing lotus is considered to be the pearl of the reserve. You can spend hours watching how thin, almost transparent pinkish lotus petals swirl on the waves. Lotus has been known in the Volga delta for a long time, here it is called the Caspian rose. From mid-July to September, lotus plantations bloom - a sea of ​​blue-green leaves and pink flowers exuding a delicate aroma.

Aquatic plants include Laxmann's cattail, lake bulrush (occasionally found on spits at the mouths of watercourses and along the shallow waters of the islands in the van-delta), and burrow (occupying large areas in the reservoirs of the reserve, mostly silted), and umbrella susak. Under conditions of different water regimes, susak forms two forms: susak grows with flowers in shallow waters and low-flowing areas, and without flowers at depths and flowing areas, only with leaves stretched downstream on the surface of the water.

Now let's move from the water kingdom to the forest kingdom. and the territories of the Astrakhan Reserve occupy quite a bit, just over 1%. Hard-leaved oak, ash-tree and elm, soft-leaved willow and poplar, as well as shrub willow and sucker have found their home here. Three-stamen willow is common for the forest. Swampy meadows are typical for the reserve. But among the real meadows, most of all are reed grass, couch grass and kendyry. There are also unique species of flora. The endangered include 20 species of rare plants, such as Regel's onion, dwarf iris, leathery iris, Schrenk's tulip, saltwort and others.

Animals of the Astrakhan Reserve

The fauna of this wonderful land is rich and amazing. The lower reaches of the Volga and its delta are one of the richest habitats and nesting places for birds in the world. It is not for nothing that the Astrakhan Nature Reserve is called the "bird hotel" - 283 species of birds live here (99 species nest, 155 occur during migration periods, and 23 periodically fly in), many of which are listed in Red Book. Birds that have flown from Africa, Iran, India nest here - huge flocks of swans, geese, ducks. Some species of birds - pelicans, herons, cormorants - form entire colonies.

Birds

Here you can see the white-tailed eagle, pink flamingos and even the "Caspian hummingbird" - rezun.

Most of the birds living in the reserve nest on trees (various herons, loaves, cormorants), and some build floating nests (grebes, coots). Here you can meet mute swan, curly and pink pelicans. But most of all in the heron reserve. There are just not enough here: white (large and small), gray, red, yellow and even grayish-bluish (night night herons). When the Astrakhan Nature Reserve was just created, only two pairs of white herons nested among the reeds.

Today - already more than five thousand couples. And the white mute swan did not live in the delta until the thirties. Today, the white swan is one of the symbols of the reserve. Since the routes of migratory birds pass through the territory of the reserve, here you can observe the life of such "inhabitants of heaven" as ducks, geese, mallards, shovelers, pintails, divers, teals and others. Many birds stop in the Volga delta to eat. They fatten and rest here, gaining strength before a long and difficult flight to warmer climes. Some remain for nesting.

The Caspian ornithological station operates at the Astrakhan Reserve, which studies the number, distribution and migration of birds. The Astrakhan State Reserve is the largest bird ringing center.

mammals

In the boundless steppes of the Volga region, “ships of the desert” camels graze importantly, swift-footed saigas cross the desert, and in winter, on the ice fields of the Northern Caspian, you can see entire rookeries of Caspian seals.

Having gone to the bank of one of the countless rivers or channels of the reserve, we can observe the measured life of beavers, muskrats and otters. In the forests of the Volga lower reaches, curious researchers of the reserve will meet wild boars, raccoon dogs and even ermines.

In general, there are few mammals in the reserve. Basically, these are wolves, foxes, field mice, baby mice. Of the reptiles, there are snakes, lizards, patterned snake and others.

Insects

But there are a lot of insects in the reserve, there are more than 1300 species of them: dragonflies, crickets, caddis flies, cicadas, beetles (floaters, water lovers, leaf beetles, weevils, ground beetles). There are many chances to meet representatives of the world of spiders here. So, you can see ar-gionna, poisonous karakurt, tarantula, inhabitant of desert landscapes steppe centipede.

Fish and the water world

The water world of representatives of the Astrakhan State Reserve is rich and interesting. About 66 species of fish live here: sturgeon (beluga, sturgeon, stellate sturgeon), herring (Caspian shad, Volga herring, blackback), cyprinids (vobla, bream, carp, rudd, asp, sabrefish, golden crucian carp), pike, pike perch, perch , gobies, stickleback and others. It is impossible to imagine the reservoirs of the reserve without microscopic rotifers.

Of the annelids, aquatic oligochaetes, fish, turtle and horse leeches are common. Of the arthropods - daphnia, cyclops, mysids and amphipods, long-shafted crayfish, insect larvae. Representatives of the type of mollusks are quite numerous and diverse: toothless, zebrafish, snails, coils.

The Red Book of Russia

The following are included in the Red Book of Russia:

Plants

• Caspian lotus
• Aldrovanda vesicularis
• Marsilea egyptian
• Cetraria steppe

Animals

• Vigilant Emperor
• Caspian lamprey
• Sterlet
• Beluga
• Volga herring
• white salmon
• Kutum
• red-necked grebe
• pink pelican
• Curly Pelican
• Lesser cormorant
• Egyptian heron
• Spoonbill
• Karavayka
• common flamingo
• Lesser White-fronted Lesser
• Grey goose
• gray duck
• small swan
• marble teal
• Savka
• steppe harrier
• European Tuvik
• Buzzard
• steppe eagle
• black vulture