Oka Nature Reserve

Oka Nature Reserve

by Dobychina E.,

Dobychina T.A.,

Ryazan

The goal of the project is to promote the protection of Oka Nature Reserve and its unique wildlife.

What is a nature reserve?

A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for purposes of conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research.

Nowadays there are 23 National Parks and Nature Reserves in Russia. They protect the countryside, plants, animals and birds.

Two of them are situated in Ryazan region.

Oka Nature Reserve is located in the Meschera lowlands, the floodplain of the Oka River and the Pra River. With extensive lowland rivers and forested peatlands, the reserve is an important area for waterfowl and waders. The site is situated in the Spassky District, Ryazan Oblast, about 60 km northeast of the city of Ryazan. It covers an area of 55,722 ha (215.14 sq ml).

The reserve was organized in 1935 to protect muskrats. The Oka Reserve was then called "Vykhuholevy."

As a strict nature reserve, the Oka Reserve is mostly closed to the general public, although scientists and those with 'environmental education' purposes can make arrangements with park management for visits. Tourists are welcome in Brikin forest buffer area. There are also a number of 'ecotourist' routes open to the public; these require permits to be obtained in advance. The local office is in the village of Brikin Bor.

Oka has different forest types across its territory: pine forests with birch, oak and alder, oak with lime and maple undergrowth, and spruce forests. There are sphagnum bogs and flood-plain meadows. Scientists on the reserve have recorded over 880 species of vascular plants in 109 families.

Scientists on the reserve have recorded over 880 species of vascular plants in 109 families

The animal life of the reserve is typical of the central European forests. The most common mammals are voles (60% of the rodents), field mice and forest mice. Predators include foxes, wolves, and badgers.

Scientists on the reserve have recorded 61 species of mammals, 266 of birds, 11 of amphibians, 6 of reptiles, 39 of fish, and 3883 species of invertebrates.

The symbol of the reserve is a bison. This is a wild forest bull, which was recently on the verge of extinction. Bison youngsters grown up to two years in the reserve are sent to replenish free-living populations.

The reserve hosts a European Bison Breeding Center, established in 1959.

The reserve hosts a Crane Breeding Center that was founded in 1979.

Hundreds species of birds come here every spring.

In Oka Nature Reserve it is illegal

• to feed wild animals (but you can feed bisons with apples and carrots),
• to hunt animals,
• to make a fire,
• to collect plants,
• to pick up flowers, nuts, berries and mushrooms,
• to cut down trees and bushes,
• to throw litter,
• to cry and talk loudly,
• to play music,
• to bring dogs or other animals to the territory,
• to drive a car on the territory,
• to camp outside the camping areas.

A list of sources

• http://oksky-reserve.ru
• https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Окский_заповедник