The Altai-Sayan Ecoregion situated on the boundary between Siberian taiga forests and Central Asian deserts stands out from its surrounding territories with its unique diversity of animal and plant worlds.
It contains some of the world's largest unbroken stretches of Siberian fir, pine and larch trees. The dark coniferous taiga is particularly remarkable. The ecoregion is also rich with lakes, they are over 27 thousands. The largest ones are Khuvsgul, Uvs and Teletskoe. The Altai Sayan ecoregion is famous with its eternal snow-topped mountains which keep large fresh water reserves; glaceries of 49 cubic km. Harsh continental climate and complex relief serve as determining factors for a wealth of flora.
The list of plants includes over species of mosses, lichens, over species of vascular plants. Among them: 77 species of fishes, 8 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, species of birds and species of mammals. More information Altai-Sayan Montane Forests. Threats to Altai-Sayan biodiversity. The following threats exist in the ecoregion: Poaching and illegal trade in flora and fauna Development of infrastructure and industry Impact of climate change on species and ecosystems Competition for pastures, overgrazing Deforestation, unsustainable forestry practices Water pollution Poverty and unemployment.
WWF makes all efforts to establishing a network of protected areas, national strategy plans for snow leopards and argali conservation, anti poaching activities, forests and fresh water conservation, legislation improvement, and working on raising livelihood of the local communities, environmental education for sustainable development and public awareness.
The goal of the project was to conserve the biodiversity in the ASER for the next 50 years and beyond. The idea of developing a comprehensive Ecoregional Conservation Action Plan, based on national-level Conservation Action Plans, was suggested.
Also, the Altai-Sayan Millennium Initiative to conserve biological diversity as a global favour to all humankind was accepted at this event. It was signed by the governor of Republic of Khakassia, heads of four Mongolian aimaks, the director of WWF Russia and by the heads of all regions of the project, making it an important political document.
On the slopes of the Katun Range, there are more than glaciers, their total area exceeds sq km. The Katun river flows from the Gebler glacier here. Just north of the Katun Range is the famous Uymon Steppe — an intermountain basin at an altitude of about meters above sea level.
The length of the Terektinsky Ridge is about km, the height reaches almost m. It is located along the Katun River and reaches the Kansk steppe. The ridge as a whole has a smooth character, the slopes are abundantly covered with coniferous forest, there is a large number of flat peaks and plateaus, the largest of which is the Tuguryuk. Thanks to the boggy nature of many plateaus, a huge number of small rivers originate here.
The North Chuy Ridge is especially popular among fans of active tourism not only due to a spectacular abundance of glaciers and lakes but also because of its convenient transport accessibility the Chui Road is very close. The most famous lakes are the Shavlinskiye. The length of the ridge is about km.
The average height is about m, and some peaks exceed m Maashey-Bash is 4, m, Aktru is 4, In the central part, there are about glaciers with a total area of about sq. The Sumultinsky ridge spans parallel to the meridians and connects the areas of the Chuy road with Lake Teletskoye, which makes it one of the most visited places in the Altai Mountains.
Glaciers are not found here since the maximum height of the mountains reaches only m, but many lakes and rivers cover its slopes. There are several hiking, horseback riding and skiing routes along the ridge. In Soviet times, these places were the All-Union tourist route No. Roads do not pass through the ridge, trails are present only in river valleys. The total length of the ridge is approximately km.
There are over glaciers here. On the territory of Russia there are five sites called the Golden Mountains of Altai. The Altai Natural Biosphere Reserve spans over , hectares of land and 11, hectares of the water area of Lake Teletskoye. The landscapes here are ethereal. The Reserve was established to protect cedar forests and restore the population of snow leopard, sable, elk, marals and other animals which are on the verge of extinction. Along the borders of the reserve, there are high ridges: the Abakan in the north, the Chikhachev in the south, and the Shapshal in the east.
Unfortunately, it is forbidden to to climb those mountains as they are located in the protected territory, but who can stop you from admiring them from afar? However, you are allowed to take one-day trips to the numerous lakes and waterfalls in the reserve. The Katun State Natural Reserve is an untouched nook of wild nature located near the highest mountain peak of Siberia — the majestic Belukha.
The main purpose of the Reserve was to preserve the typical ecosystems of the Katun mountain range, snow leopard habitats and rare species of flora and fauna. This is the first transboundary biosphere reserve of such high international status. The joint territory is called The Big Altai. The Big Altai reserve covers an area of over 1. The territory of the park begins from the town of Belukha and extends to the north and north-west up to the Katun River, covering the basins of its right tributaries — the Kucherla and Akkema rivers.
The main sights are the Tekelu waterfall falling from a meter height , Lake Akkemsk, Lake Kucherlin. The park is also known for its petroglyphs — the stone drawings of the early Bronze Age. The Kuylu Petroglyph has over drawings made in a niche of a small rocky grotto, about a dozen more drawings are applied on separate stones within 1 km from the grotto.
The main characters depicted are deer, goats, horses and humans. In general, the petroglyphs date from the Eneolithic Age to the Middle Ages. Petroglyphs of the Black River are silhouette drawings on rocks made by fine dot-cutting. There are about 30 images in total. The Bertek Basin is fully located within the park.
In the east, the border of the park coincides with the state border between Russia and Mongolia the Sailugem Ridge , whereas in the south, it runs along the border with China the South Altai Ridge , in the south-west is borders with Kazakhstan.
The Ukok Plateau is located in the south of the Altai at an altitude of about 3 km above sea level. Ukok is an ancient name, it means "massive elevation with a flat top". The native Altai people believe that it is here, at the foot of the Tabyn Bogdo-Ola Mountains, that the mountain world called the second layer of heaven is located.
It is very difficult to get here, but once you take a helicopter ride, you will see a stunningly beautiful and mysterious view of giant boulders and steep naked rocks, the majestic panorama of mountain peaks covered with eternal snow. In the summer of , an unusual discovery made the Ukok famous all over the world.
This find made an overnight sensation, the mummy was called the Altai Princess, her age is years old and she is in a very good state.
Before going to the Altai, decide what you want to visit, as all the Golden Mountain sites are at a significant distance from each other. Take into account that visiting the territory of the Altai natural reserve located on the territories of Ulazhan and Turachak districts requires a special pass.
One must get it a month before the expected date, it is necessary to contact the central office of the reserve or fill out a special request on the site.
This rule also applies to other reserves that are part of the Golden Mountains. You can get to the Altai reserve by bus from Gorno-Altaisk, next to Artybash settlement the mouth of the Teletskoe lake , you can get there by boat. The lake connection is feasible only for summer. It is located in the Katon-Karagai district of the East Kazakhstan region. Its area is , hectares. The park was founded in July , and in it was included in the UNESCO list of specially protected heritage sites due to its attractions, landscape and diversity of flora and fauna.
It is a very popular attraction among tourists from all over the world, with a huge number of tourist sites and tourist routes on its territory. The park is mountainous and glaciated, with altitudes often reaching over 3, m. The park borders on the north by the Altai Republic of Russia , on the southeast by China , on the west by the Farpusnaya River, and on the south by the northern slopes of the Sarymsakty and Tarbagatai ranges of the Southern Altai Mountains.
The slopes are steep, with terrain formed by the glaciers: trough-shaped valleys, cirques, and moraines. The glacier-fed rivers are steep and energetic. The Kokkol Falls, at 80 meters, is the largest waterfall in the Altai Mountains.
At an altitude of about meters above sea level, it stretches for more than 40 km through rocks and mountains. The images are dominated by those of deer harnessed in chariots. Even the spokes on the wheels of the chariots can be counted.
The oldest of these appeared 5, years ago and the last about 3, years back. The park is named after Tavan-Bogd Ola, the sacred peak for nomads, which is located at the crossroads of Russia , Mongolia and China. It has common borders with Russia and China. The territory of the national park includes ridges of the Mongolian Altai with vast masses of corroms stone rivers , alpine forests, meadows and semi-deserts, lakes and river valleys.
To the north of the park rises the peak Kuiten-Uul, the highest point of Mongolia 4, m. Close to it is the Potanin Glacier with an area of 23 sq. Due to this, many birds and animals live here.
There are a lot of swans, ducks, mountain goats, foxes, and hares. Nowadays there are many historical monuments of culture in the park - stone sculptures, rock paintings and barrows of the Scythians, Huns and Turks period.
Here you can see the largest petroglyphs of the Hun's period. It is rapidly developing thanks to huge investments and support of the Chinese government. It is the only place in China where you can see the Siberian taiga. It is where the largest tributary of the Irtysh River originates. The Irtysh is part of the Arctic Ocean river system. The area of the reserve is 5, sq. It is the only Chinese reserve for the protection of plants and wildlife adjacent to the Siberian area. It is the deepest alpine lake in China.
It is located at an altitude of 1, m above sea level, 30 km south of the western section of the Russian-Chinese border and the junction of the borders of Kazakhstan , China , Mongolia and Russia. The lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks, dense forests and lavish meadows. The lake is very colorful, its multicolor creates a sense of fairytale world.
Water changes its color with changing weather and with time of day. According to the legend of the local Tuvan peoples, the lake is home to a large water monster, and indeed, in recent years, scientific expeditions have repeatedly found here very large unusual fish.
In the north part of the lake there is a pillar of the snowy mountain Kuitun, which is known worldwide for its peak called Friendship. Two great rivers originate in the China Altai. One of them is the Ergis River and it is the headstream of the international Erbi River which flows into the Arctic Ocean.
The second one is the Ulungur River which is the second longest land-locked river of Xinjiang, and it is the main run-off of the second largest land-locked lake - Ulungur Lake of Xinjiang. The Altai is dissected by a dense network of mountain rivers which are fed by melting snow water and summer rains, and characterized by long spring floods.
Most of the rivers belong to the Ob basin, both its sources — the Katun and the Biya - are in the Altai and are its main waterways. The Altai is dominated by rivers less than 10 km long, the largest being the Biya km , the Katun km , the Argut km , the Chuya km , the Chumysh km and the Alei km. The Katun flows out of the Gebler glacier at an altitude of about 2, m and flows down the valley also shaped by a glacier retraction.
After 2 km, the river Rassypnaya flows into it and the Katun becomes a rapid, full-flowing river, especially in summer when snow and glacier ice melt intensively.
Depending on the slope and the nature of the riverbed, the river rumbles between rocks and boulders or flows quietly.
The Biya is the second most water-intensive river in the Altai. The length of the river is km, and the basin area is 37 sq. It is the only river to flow out of Teletskoye Lake and when it confluences with the Katun River, they form the river Ob. The Biya is much loved for rafting mainly by kayaks and catamarans. There are several rapids with up to 1 m and above on the section from the source to Upper Biysk. The last threshold is in village Udalovka.
The river flows fast, usually at the speed of The Argut is one of the major tributaries of the Katun. The Argut has a very rich basin composed of calm rivers and streams of the Ukok Plateau, as well as powerful, milky-white, boiling whirlpools of the tributaries that start from glaciers, and transparent, clean, rapid streams flowing from the lakes.
The upper reaches of the Argut have been developed for a long time and are mostly passable, but the lower parts of the river valley are still an inaccessible gorge.
Most mountain rivers are not navigable due to fast currents and rapids. Many have waterfalls usually located at the sharp bends of the river channel and tectonic ledges. Waterfalls are particularly numerous and varied in the Central Altai. These are the Tekelyu 60 m , the Kurkura 20 m , the Kokkol 40 m , the Rasypnoy 35 m , the Tegheek 40 m , the Iedigem 30 m , the Shaltan 20 m , the Korbu 12 m.
The total number of lakes in the Altai is , the largest being Markakol and Teletskoye Lake. Many small, usually sq. In the north of the Altai Mountains, there are karst lakes. The Markakol is in Kazakhstan , it has an area of sq. It is located in an intermountain hollow between the Kurchum Ridge in the north and the Azutau in the south at a height of 1, meters. The southern shores are precipitous, whereas the northern ones are rather flat lowland. It freezes in November and opens in May.
A large number of rivers feeding mainly on melt water flow into the Markakol.
0コメント