It was organized in 1986, on September 22. The main goal of its creation is to preserve the unique natural complex of the Elbrus region, as well as to create conditions for organized mountaineering and recreation.
The protected area is located in the high-mountain and mid-mountain zones, in the region of the central Caucasus. The park contains part of the Lateral and Main Caucasian ranges. Within Elbrus region park Several morphological relief forms can be distinguished: lake-basin, lava flows, mid-altitude mountain, high-mountain glacial relief.
Fauna of the Elbrus National Park
The fauna of the national park is rich - it includes 6 species of fish, 8 species of amphibians, 11 species of reptiles, 111 species of birds, 63 species of mammals, as well as many species of insects.In the park you can see animals of European broad-leaved forests, which include roe deer, brown bear, forest cat, pine marten, and animals steppe zone– gray partridge, steppe ferret, common hamster, common mole rat. Among the Caucasian endemics there is the Caucasian otter, Caucasian snowcock, West Caucasian tur, Caucasian grouse and others. In accordance with the 1995 census data, up to 4,600 individuals of the Caucasian tur live on the lands of the Elbrus region park.
Of particular interest among mammals is chamois, and among the fish it is worth noting trout stream. Among insects there are also many endemic species. Thus, on the lands of the park there are 63 species of daytime butterflies, of which 20 species can be found only in the Elbrus region.
The extraordinary diversity of soils, moisture, temperature, and topography contributes to the development of various landscapes. Due to the isolation of individual basins and gorges, it contributes to the formation of endemic species, as well as the preservation of relict species. Nature Elbrus National Park It is distinguished by a combination in the flora and fauna of species characteristic of the Mediterranean and steppe regions of Western Asia.
Flora of the Elbrus National Park
The vertical zonality of the vegetation cover is determined by the vertical zonation of the climate. The main belt types of vegetation in the Elbrus region park include the following: mountain-steppe, mountain-forest, alpine, subalpine, subnival, nival. The predominant type of vegetation cover is meadows.
The belt of coniferous forests is replaced by a narrow strip of tree and shrub woodlands, gradually turning into a belt of subalpine and alpine meadows. Wherein alpine meadows directly adjacent to firn fields and snowfields. Flora of higher vascular plants and flowering plants Kabardino-Balkaria approximately 3000 species are represented - 50% of the species that grow in the Caucasus in general. The most attractive are subalpine and alpine meadows with grass heights from 40-50 to 70-80 cm and 8-15 cm, respectively.
Among the rare plants there are enough a large number of endemics of the Caucasus: dolomite bellflower, Albanian lumbago, Olympic columbine, amazing cinquefoil, Dinnika saxifrage, monofragina lily, Baksan wolfberry, small chickpea, Nefedov's bellflower and others. Caucasian rhododendron, a shrub from the heather family, is a specially protected species of the subalpine mountain-meadow landscape.
Tourist routes and excursions to the Elbrus National Park
IN Elbrus National Park There are 23 recreational institutions. As a rule, the implementation of planned tourism takes place under the auspices of the Elbrus Council for Tourism and Excursions. The most interesting objects of bus and walking excursions: Elbrus, Cheget, Narzanov Valley, Narzanov Polyana.
The flora of the Elbrus region is rich and diverse. The central position in the Caucasus, as well as the exceptional diversity of relief, temperature, moisture, not to mention the great diversity of soils, contribute to the development of a wide variety of landscapes. The isolation of individual gorges and basins contributes to the formation of endemic species and the preservation of relict species. In addition, the nature of the Elbrus region is characterized by a combination in the animal and plant world of species typical of the steppe, Mediterranean regions of Western Asia.
The flora of the Elbrus region is rich and diverse. The central position in the Caucasus, as well as the exceptional diversity of relief, temperature, moisture, not to mention the great diversity of soils, contribute to the development of a wide variety of landscapes. The isolation of individual gorges and basins contributes to the formation of endemic species and the preservation of relict species. In addition, the nature of the Elbrus region is characterized by a combination in the animal and plant world of species typical of the steppe, Mediterranean regions of Western Asia.
National Park "Elbrus"
angiosperms - 490
amphibians - 8
reptiles - 11
birds - 111
mammals - 63
Flora and vegetation
The vertical zonation of the climate determines the vertical zonality of the vegetation cover. A thick belt of coniferous forests gives way to a narrow strip of tree and shrub woodlands, which gradually transform into a belt of subalpine and then alpine meadows. The latter are directly adjacent to snowfields and firn fields. The flora of flowering and higher vascular plants of Kabardino-Balkaria includes about 3000 species, which is 50% of the species growing in the Caucasus as a whole. The most attractive are alpine and subalpine meadows with grass heights of 8-15 cm and from 40-50 to 70-80 cm, respectively. There are many endemic plants here.
The most interesting is the endemic and relict - the Caucasian rhododendron, the largest in the heather family. Its lush inflorescences of cream and pale pink form giant fairy beds, beautifully combined with dark green foliage. This is an evergreen plant. It is especially abundant on the slopes of Cheget and in other mountain-meadow subalpine landscape expositions. Rhododendron is a specially protected plant in the National Park.
The vegetation of the territory of the Elbrus National Park is characterized by vertical zoning. The main belt types of vegetation are: nival, subnival, alpine, subalpine, mountain forest and mountain steppe. The predominant type of vegetation cover is meadows.
Brief characteristics of the plant belts of the Elbrus region
Nivalny (above 3000-3400 m) is represented by glaciers and eternal snow, devoid of higher vegetation. On screes and steep rocks there are colonies of representatives of lichens and some types of bacteria.
Subnival (from 2800 to 3400 m) has an uneven boundary, for example in the Azau valley it decreases to 2800 m above sea level. The soils are primitive, gravelly, common in patches on flatter areas. Higher flowering plants Due to the lack of typical soils, closed communities do not form. There are few lichens here
Alpine (from 2600 to 2800 m). The lower and upper boundaries are uneven, wedging into the subalpine and subnival (up to 3000 m) belts is observed. The vegetation cover is dominated by alpine meadows. Plant associations - forb-fescue, forb-fescue-sap, forb-sedge, forb-grass, cereal-forb, etc. Alpine mesophilic meadows are common in the upper reaches of the Malka River:
forb-small-grass, fescue-small sedge. The grass stand is low - the height of the grass is from 5 to 20 cm, the projective cover is 50-60%.
Subalpine (from 2400 to 2600 m). The nature of the vegetation is transitional between the alpine and mountain forest zones. It is represented by subalpine meadows with a fairly rich species composition. Plant associations: forb-fescue, forb-brome, forb-sedge-fescue, forb-fescue-reed grass, forb-grass, etc. In the upper reaches of the Malka River there are subalpine marshy meadow-sedge and subalpine steppe meadows fescue-sedge, variegated fescue
Mountain-forest (from 1400 to 2400-2500 m). On the northern slope of Cheget, the forest boundary is at an altitude of 2450 m. Pine and pine-birch forests grow here. The main forest-forming species: Sosnovsky pine, Litvinov birch, Radde birch (endemic to the Caucasus, included in the Red Book of Russia). High mountain forests are rich in mushrooms; lingonberries, blueberries, strawberries, and stone fruits are involved in the creation of the above-ground layer of forests. The air of forests contains phytoncides - translated as “plant destroyers”. One hectare of pine forest releases 5 kg of these substances per day, and juniper - 30 kg. They disinfect the air, in small doses have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, and in high concentrations they depress it. Sea buckthorn is widespread, and its thickets along the Baksan River are strictly protected.
Mountain-steppe belt (from 1400 to 2500 m). Unlike the mountain forest, it is expressed on the slopes of southern exposure within the Side Range and the intermountain depression (between the Side and Front Ranges). This includes the southern slopes of Elbrus, the Tegenekli ridge and the Syltran and Kyrtyk gorges. Here, the scree and rocky slopes are dominated by xerophytic vegetation with rare clumps of cushion juniper, dogwood and barberry.
Fauna and animal world
The fauna of the Central Caucasus is rich, diverse and highly endemic. Analysis of the fauna of the Elbrus region shows that its genetic composition is very complex, multi-component and original. The fauna of the Elbrus region, like the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic as a whole, is predominantly Asian in nature. Before the start of the great glaciation, the Caucasus connected with the land of Western Asia, through which animals from Central Asia penetrated. Animals from both European broad-leaved forests and the steppe zone of Europe live here.
One of the ancient relics is the aurochs - a large animal. The Elbrus region is the center of distribution of the tour. Severtsov's tur and the Dagestan tur meet here. There are probably no Caucasus highlands wild beast more popular than this mountain goat. Images of mighty steep-horned animals among the rocks have become a symbol of the nature of the Caucasus. They live mainly in the highlands (in the alpine and subalpine zones). Chamois are found less frequently (in the subalpine and forest zones). The forests of the Elbrus region are also inhabited by wolves, jackals, common foxes, lynxes, and brown bears. The most numerous species after the tour is the wild boar, which also lives in mountain forests.
Of the mammals living in the park, 8 species: the Central Asian leopard, the Caucasian forest cat, the Caucasian otter, the lesser horseshoe bat, the greater horseshoe bat, the pointed-eared bat, the tricolored bat and the giant noctule, are listed in the Red Book of Russia. Ornithologists have identified 111 bird species, of which 40 are wintering species, the rest are either nesting or spotted on migration. Eleven species of birds - Caucasian black grouse, saker falcon, golden eagle, imperial eagle, Caucasian peregrine falcon, bearded vulture, vulture, white-tailed eagle, European tuvik, griffon vulture, red-headed wren - are listed in the Red Book of Russia. Trout is found in mountain reservoirs - red salmon fish, an endemic species listed in the Red Book. There are many endemic species among invertebrates, incl. insects Thus, out of 63 species of diurnal butterflies, 20 are found only in the Elbrus region. Also interesting is an endemic, Red Book species among the ground beetles - one of the most numerous species of the insect family - the Caucasian ground beetle, listed in the Red Book of Russia. The rich invertebrate fauna of the national park has been extremely insufficiently studied, so further study of it can reveal a lot of new and unexpected things.
Species included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation
angiosperms
Radde Birch / Betula raddeana
Baksan wolfberry (Daphne baksanica)
Columnar saxifrage / Saxifraga columnaris
Dolomite bell / Campanula dolomitica
Caucasian hazel grouse / Fritillaria caucasica
invertebrates
Mnemosyne / Parnassius mnemosyne
invertebrates
amphibians
Asia Minor newt / Triturus vittatus
birds
Saker Falcon / Falco cherrug
Griffon Vulture / Gyps fulvus
Golden Eagle / Aquila chrysaetos
Bearded Vulture / Gypaetus barbatus
European Tuvik / Accipiter brevipes
Caucasian Grouse / Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi
Imperial Eagle / Aquila heliaca
White-tailed Eagle / Haliaeetus albicilla
Peregrine falcon / Falco peregrinus
Vulture / Neophron percnopterus
Black Vulture / Aegypius monachus
mammals
Greater Horseshoe Bat / Rhinolophus ferrumequinum
Giant noctule / Nyctalus lasiopterus
Caucasian otter / Lutra lutra meridionalis
Caucasian forest cat / Felis silvestris caucasica
Leopard / Panthera pardus
Lesser Horseshoe Bat / Rhinolophus hipposideros
Sharp-eared bat / Myotis blythi
Tricolored bat / Myotis emarginatus
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National Park "Elbrus"
The Elbrus region National Park was created by Decree of the Government of the RSFSR No. 407 of September 22, 1986 on the territory of the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria in order to preserve the unique natural complex Elbrus region and creating conditions for the development of organized recreation, tourism and mountaineering. Reports to the Forestry Department of the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria. The territory of the national park is located within two administrative districts of the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria: Zolsky and Tyrnauzsky. Within the boundaries of the park there are 6 settlements with a population of about 6 thousand people.
The national park was provided with 75.4 thousand hectares (74.5% of the total area) of forest fund lands, 25.8 thousand hectares (25.5%) of lands of other owners, holders and users entered the boundaries of the park without withdrawal from economic use. Forest lands occupy 10.3 thousand hectares (10.2%). The national park is located 90 km west of Nalchik along the high-mountainous part of the Baksan River basin and its tributaries, from the southern slopes of Elbrus to the Main Caucasus Range, and on the northern slopes of Elbrus, in the upper reaches of the Malka River.
The climatic features of individual areas of the park are determined by the mountainous terrain and large differences in elevation. Temperature contrasts are characteristic both across the seasons of the year and throughout the day. Average daily fluctuations in air temperature in the valleys are 19°-20°C. With increasing altitude, the annual sum of positive temperatures decreases by 120°-130°C for every 100 m of altitude and at approximately 4000-4200 m it turns to 0°C. At an altitude of 3400 m, the duration of snow cover is 235-260 days. An increase in precipitation occurs up to the level of 3500 m, where it is about 1000 mm; above that, the amount of precipitation decreases. The intensity of solar radiation increases with altitude and decreases Atmosphere pressure, weight oxygen content.
The territory of the national park is located in the central Caucasus, mid-mountain and high-mountain zones (1400-5642 m above sea level), and includes part of the Main Caucasian and Side ranges. Within the boundaries of the national park, several morphological forms of relief are distinguished: high-altitude glacial, mid-altitude mountainous relief, lava flows, and lacustrine-basin.
The high-mountainous glacial (alpine) relief includes a complex of individual ridges and massifs of the Main and Side ranges: Elbrus - 6542 m and 5621 m, Ushba - 4700 m, Shkhelda - 4320 m, Irikchat - 4050 m, g Sullu-Kol-Bashek - 4424 m, Dzhan-Tugan - 4012 m, Disayly-Subashi - 4424 m, etc. Elbrus is an extinct volcano; on the eastern peak there are signs of volcanic activity that has not yet died out - the release of sulfur dioxide.
Glaciers and snow occupy 155.5 km2 or 15.3% of the entire park territory. Mountain glaciers serve as a reservoir of water resources, melt water glaciers take part in feeding rivers. The river valleys are cut to a depth of 250-400 m and have a spur character, which is due to previous glacial activity and erosion processes, which also developed the modern branched network of tributaries of the main rivers. Characteristic feature high-mountain relief is the presence of waterfalls (the largest are in the upper reaches of the Malka River) and large screes formed as a result of high-mountain weathering and occupying significant areas.
The territory, in conditions of medium-altitude mountainous relief, is characterized by small relative elevations (up to 1300 m), gentle and flat watersheds and a significant development of rock formations and screes.
Lava flows are widespread in the area of Elbrus, from which they flowed down the valleys of the main rivers. In the river valley Malki lava flow length is 23 km.
Lake-basin relief - on small areas in the valley of the Malka River with the lakes located here. In places where lake-basin relief develops, the surface is almost perfectly flat.
Modern processes and phenomena observed here are weathering, erosion-accumulation and mudflow processes (turbulent mudflows of water-rock composition, mud-stone flows in the zone of clay-shale rocks), gravitational processes (landslides on clayey deposits and shale, landslides on rocky slopes, activated by earthquakes).
The area of the national park is prone to avalanches. Avalanche processes in the form of snow and snow-rock avalanches in the highlands and midlands are associated with heavy snowfalls and sudden temperature changes during the spring warming period. Avalanches are a natural phenomenon that can catastrophically change the state of ecosystems and cause enormous damage. They destroy forest over large areas, helping to reduce its upper boundaries. In places where coniferous forests are destroyed, birch forests appear. Avalanche safety is provided by the operational units of the Elbrus Council for Tourism and Excursions and the service for active influence on avalanches at the High Mountain Geophysical Institute of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic.
Soils are distributed according to altitudinal zones.
In the alpine belt there are mountain meadow turf, mostly underdeveloped gravelly soils.
In the subalpine zone there are mountain-meadow turfy loamy soils.
In the forest belt under the birch forest there are mountain-forest soddy-peaty brown soils on steep slopes of northern exposure; under the high-mountain birch forests there are brown mountain-forest podzolic, relatively more fertile (thickness of the humus horizon up to 30-40 cm) soils on less steep slopes. The soils of high-mountain pine forests are formed mainly on crystalline rocks; they are poorer and drier than under birch forests. They represent 3 subgroups: primary mountain-forest skeletal; light brown, mountain-forest sod-podzolic; dark brown mountain forest soddy-podzolic.
In the mountain-steppe belt there are mountain-meadow-steppe turf and chernozem-like mountain-steppe gravelly soils.
According to geobotanical zoning, the national park is located in the Elbrus and Terek subprovinces of the North Caucasus province.
The flora of the Elbrus region has about 400 species. Among the rare plants there are many endemics of the Caucasus: Nefedov's bell (Campanula nefedovii), small chickpea (Cicer minutum), Baksan wolfberry (Daphne baksanica), lily (Lilium monadelphum), Dinnik saxifrage (Saxifraga diimikii), amazing cinquefoil (Potentilla divina), columbine Olympic (Aquilegia olympica), Albanian lumbago (Pulsatilla albana), dolomite bell (Campanula dolomitica), etc. A particularly protected species of the mountain-meadow subalpine landscape is the Caucasian rhododendron (Rhododendron caucasicum) - an evergreen shrub from the heather family (Ericaceae). It can withstand a snow cover of up to 1.5 m. It blooms in early summer; its bushes with lush inflorescences of cream and pale pink color form giant flower beds.
To the Red Book Russian Federation The following plant species are included: common hop hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia), Radde birch (Betula raddeana), Dinnik saxifrage (Saxifraga dinnikii), dolomite bellflower (Campanula dolomitica), small chickpea (Cicer minutum). Birch Radde was described in 1885 by the famous naturalist of the Caucasus G. Radde; it is a winter-hardy tree with branches growing upward, pink bark and dark green leaves. This endemic relict species is found only in a few regions of the Caucasus.
Vegetation is characterized by vertical zoning. Above 3400-3500 m there is a nival belt, consisting mainly of glaciers and eternal snow. Mosses, lichens, and some types of algae and bacteria are found on screes and steep cliffs. Below (from 3000 to 3400-3500 m) there is a subnival belt, its border is uneven in places and in the Azau valley it drops to 2700 m. The soils are primitive, located in patches (fragments). Due to the lack of typical soils, higher flowering plants do not form closed communities. There are few lichens. The alpine belt, which occupies altitudes from 2700 to 3000-3100 m, is dominated by alpine meadows and carpets, which are dominated by sheep fescue (Festuca ovina), shady sedge (Carex umbrosa), bellflower (Campanula tridentata), Caucasian mantle (Alchemilla caucasica), Steven's dandelion (Taraxacum stevenii), multi-flowered dandelion (Luzula multiflora), etc. In the upper reaches of the river. There are also mesophilic alpine meadows: forb-grass with species of the genus Kobresia spp., fescue, fescue-sedge with Medvedev's sedge and pseudosedge (Carex medwedewii, C. micropodioides). The grass stand is low (5-20 cm). The subalpine belt (from 2100 to 2800 m above sea level) is transitional between the alpine and mountain forest belts. Subalpine meadows predominate here, quite rich in species composition. In the upper reaches of the Malka there are subalpine swampy meadows (sedge), subalpine steppe fescue-sedge meadows (Festuca valesiaca - Carex huetiana) and cereal meadows with variegated fescue (Festuca varia). The mountain forest belt (up to 2450-2700 m) is dominated by pine (Pinus kochiana, Pinus sylvestris) and pine-birch (P. sylvestris - Betula litwinowii) forests. On the slopes of the southern exposure of the Side Range there are mountain steppes.
Only a tenth of the national park's territory is occupied by forests. From coniferous species the most common is Koch pine (Pinus kochiana) - 4.2 thousand hectares (46.7%), and among deciduous trees - Litvinov birch (Betula litwinowii) and Radde birch (B. raddeana) - 4.7 thousand hectares (52. 6%). Other species account for less than 100 hectares (0.7%). The undergrowth contains mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia), currant (Ribes sp.), hemispherical juniper (Juniperus hemisphaerica), etc. In the forest belt, among pine forests, mesoxerophilic (71.3%) and mesophilic communities (23.3%) predominate, the driest Xerophilous pine forests account for no more than 5.4%. But the groups of planting steepness are distributed as follows: slopes with a steepness of 0°-10° occupy 4.5% of plantings, 11°-20° - 9.1%, 21°-30° - 14.7%, more than 31° - 71, 7%. On hard-to-reach slopes under the forest canopy, successful regeneration of pine occurs, resulting in the formation of a forest stand with a mixed-age structure.
The fauna of the Elbrus region is quite rich and highly endemic. It is home to 63 species of mammals, 111 species of birds, 11 species of reptiles, 8 species of amphibians, 6 species of fish and a huge number of insect species.
Here live animals of both European broad-leaved forests - the pine marten (Martes martes), European forest cat (Felis silvestris), brown bear (Ursus arctos), roe deer (Capreplus capreolus), many birds, and the steppe zone of Europe - the common mole rat (Spalax microphtalmus ), common hamster (Cricetus cricetus), steppe polecat (Mustela eversmanni), gray partridge (Perdix perdix), etc. Among the endemics of the Caucasus are the Caucasian tur (Cara caucasica), Caucasian snowcock (Tetraogallus caucasicus), Caucasian grouse (Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi), Caucasian otter (Lutra lutra meridionalis), etc. The Elbrus region is the center of distribution of the Caucasian tur. According to the 1995 census, there are 4,600 individuals of this species in the national park. One species and one subspecies of mammals are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation - the giant noctule (Nyctalus lasiopterus) and the Caucasian otter, 11 species of birds - the Caucasian grouse, saker falcon (Falco cherrug), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca), peregrine falcon ( Falco peregrinus), bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), vulture (Neophron percnopterus), white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), European tuvik (Accipiter soloensis), griffon vulture (Gyps fulvns), red wren (Regulus ignicapillus), 1 reptile species - Caucasian viper (Vipera kaznakowi), 1 species of amphibian - Asia Minor newt (Triturus vittatus ophryticus). Among the others interesting species Mammals living in the park include chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), and among fish - brook trout (Salmo trutta morpha fario). There are many endemic forms among insects. Thus, out of 63 species of diurnal butterflies, 20 species are found only in the Elbrus region.
Several scientific institutions are located on the territory of the national park: Moskovsky station state university, the scientific base of the Kabardino-Balkarian State University, etc. They conduct independent scientific research programs in various directions.
The national park itself is working to accumulate information data.
A large number of natural monuments are registered on the territory of the national park. Complex natural monuments: the glades of Narzan, Cheget and Azau have health and aesthetic significance. Geomorphological: Mount Azau-Bashi, Lake Donguz-Orunkel, into which glacial rivers and streams fall like waterfalls; the northeastern slopes of Umgu-Kara with pine forests and clumps of rhododendron; the Dzhil-Su tract at the foot of Elbrus; the upper reaches of the Malka River with an area of 3 km2. The source of the Malka River breaks out of an ice grotto and flows through a wide valley carved out by a glacier. The spherical lavas give the landscape its originality, which is why the second name is “Moon Valley”. The left source cuts through a deep gap and falls from a height of 40 m with the Sultan waterfall. On the right bank of the Malka River there are 2 mineral springs - cold and warm. Botanical monuments - Caucasian rhododendron (slopes in the upper reaches of the Adyl-Su river, slopes of the city of Cheget).
The territory of the national park is rich in historical, archeological, and ethnographic monuments. The remains of residential, commercial and domestic buildings, villages, and burials were found here. Based on the placement of archaeological monuments, it is possible to recreate non-traditional Balkar culture with further use in the ethnographic museum complex. There are also monuments to the Great Patriotic War, at the Mir station - the Museum of the Great Patriotic War. In Azau, on educational base Moscow State University houses the Museum of Glaciology.
Photo: Elbrus National Park
Photo and description
Elbrus National Park is located on the territory of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. It was founded in 1986 with two main goals: creating optimal conditions for the development of tourism, recreation, mountaineering and, of course, preserving the unique natural complex. The park is located within the Zolsky and Tyrnauz administrative districts of Kabardino-Balkaria. Within the boundaries of the Elbrus region park there are six settlements where more than 6 thousand people live.
About 400 plant species grow in the park. A particularly protected species is the Caucasian rhododendron. The following plants are included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation: dolomite bellflower, Radde birch, common hop hornbeam, small chickpea, Dinnika saxifrage. The Radde birch was described in 1885 by the famous Caucasian naturalist G. Rade. This endemic relict species can only be found in some areas of the Caucasus. Forests occupy only a tenth of the total territory of the Elbrus region park. Of the deciduous species, the most common are Radde and Litvinov birches (52.6%), and of coniferous species - Koch pine (46.7%).
The fauna of the Elbrus region park is also quite rich. It is home to 111 species of birds, more than 60 species of mammals, 8 species of amphibians, as well as 11 species of reptiles, 6 species of fish and many species of insects. In the park there are animals of the steppe zone of Europe - the common hamster, mole rat, gray partridge, steppe polecat and others, and European broad-leaved forests, among them - roe deer, European forest cat, pine marten and brown bear. Among the endemics of the Caucasus are the Caucasian tur, snowcock, black grouse, otter and many others.
Elbrus National Park is a center for alpine skiing, an excursion center for vacationers at local resorts, a center for mountain sports tourism, and a vacation spot for residents and guests of the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria. There are 23 recreational facilities in the park.
Mukhtar Bottaev,
Nalchik
Since ancient times, snow-white Elbrus has attracted people. Its grandiose dimensions and classically strict forms were impressive, and the fantastic view of the clouds swirling above it and the curtains of fog gave rise to romantic legends.
The chronicle dates back to 1829. Expedition of General G.A. Emanuela was located at the foot of Elbrus, and the summit was reached by the Karachay Kilar from the Khachirov family. 40 years after the first ascent, courageous people will go to Elbrus again. Since then, the Elbrus Chronicle has been written. Currently, the double-headed Elbrus is a center of attraction for numerous tourists from all over the world.
The Elbrus region national park was formed by a decree of the Russian Government dated September 22, 1986 in order to preserve the unique complex of the Elbrus region and use it for recreational, scientific and cultural purposes. It occupies the area between the southern slopes of Elbrus to the main Caucasus ridge and the interfluve of Baksan and Chegem, which amounts to 101.2 thousand hectares. Another part of the National Park - the northern Elbrus region - is located in the upper reaches and sources of the Malka River.
Abundance of sun, clean and transparent air, weak wind, pine forests, mineral water- all this creates favorable conditions for a healthy holiday here. Unique relief, long duration The occurrence of snow cover on mountain slopes allows the development of mountaineering, tourism, and various types of skiing.
On the territory of the Elbrus National Park there are three functional zones. In the protected area, all activities are prohibited and visiting is closed. This is a kind of reserve where only scientific observations and activities related to regulating the number of animals can be carried out. The regime of the reserve zone is less strict.
62 percent of the National Park's territory is covered by inaccessible terrain: rocks, glaciers, snow fields. The high-altitude glacial relief includes, in addition to Mount Elbrus, a complex of ridges and massifs of the Main and Lateral Caucasus ranges. From space you can see the mountains Cheget, Donguz-Orun, two-horned Umba, the five-toothed beauty Shkhelda, Yusengi, Chatyn-Tau and others.
A significant area - 155.5 square kilometers - is occupied by glaciers and snow: 93 glaciers in the upper reaches of the Baksan River and 8 glaciers in the upper reaches of the Malka River. Observations of glaciers for scientific purposes began in the 30s of the last century. Currently, the High Mountain Geophysical Institute is actively working.
Elbrus is the main natural monument in the park. Its western peak has a height of 5644 m, the eastern one - 5721 m. Both peaks are independent volcanic cones, and the base of the mountain has a diameter of about three kilometers. Elbrus, a classic volcanic mountain, originated approximately 10 million years ago. The glaciation area is 130 square kilometers.
On the territory of the Elbrus National Park, two rivers flow - Baksan and Malka, and there are more than 20 tributaries. There are five lakes: Syltran-Kel, Adyl-Suu, Donguz-orun-Kel, Turye and Bashkara, but they are almost unexplored.
The mountainous climate of the National Park and beautiful landscapes are successfully combined with the abundance of Narzan springs, of which there are more than 100 with a total flow of 50 million liters per day. These are carbonated waters such as “Narzan”, “Borjomi”, “Essentuki”. And at the foot of Elbrus, the warm springs of Dzhyly-Suu make their way to the surface, which have long been extremely popular among the local population. The carbon dioxide springs of the Elbrus region contain large amounts of iron and silica, which increases their healing value.
The park's fauna is diverse. Its territory is home to 63 species of mammals, 111 species of birds, 11 species of reptiles, 8 species of amphibians, 6 species of fish and numerous species of insects. The fauna as a whole is predominantly Asian in character. To this day, animals are being resettled from other faunal areas. The mountain goat or tur, in Balkar, zhugutur is considered endemic to the Caucasus; it inhabits only the upper mountain belts. Chamois are much less common, there are about 300 of them.
Predators include wolf, lynx, fox, brown bear. The most numerous animal after the tours is the wild boar, there are over 1400 individuals. The most common small animals are the weasel and the ermine. 40 bird species out of 111 are wintering. Caucasian black grouse, balaban, golden eagle, imperial eagle, Caucasian peregrine falcon, bearded vulture are listed in the Red Book.
And 6 species - vulture, white-tailed eagle, European tuvik, griffon vulture, red-headed wren - are included in the list of the most protected rare birds. Near the eternal snows live snowcocks or mountain turkeys. There are dippers, pine crossbills, and black vultures. In autumn or in early spring Herons, bitterns, mute swan, gray goose, gray duck, and gray crane fly here.
Among reptiles, the Caucasian viper and the Asia Minor newt are listed in the Red Book. In mountain reservoirs there is trout - a red-salmon fish whose life expectancy is very significant - up to 50 years.
A characteristic feature of mountainous areas is vertical landscape zonation, determined primarily by climate at different altitudes above sea level. Of the 6 altitudinal zones, the main ones are alpine and subalpine. There are 21 species in the subalpine, and 7 endemic plant species in the alpine.
Caucasian rhododendron is called the alpine rose; there are two types of it in the CBD. And pine, birch, spruce, barberry, and sea buckthorn can be found on all tourist routes.
The gorges of Adyr-Suu, Adyl-Suu, Azau, Yuzengi, Shkhelda, Irik, Terskol are beautiful and unique in their own way. The Cheget ski slopes are attractive. The architecture of tourist hotels and tourist centers in the Elbrus region, which today offer service at the European level, is unique.
This year the Elbrus National Park celebrated its 20th anniversary. On this occasion, representatives of related reserves, parks, reserves of the Southern Federal District, guests from Moscow came here, and a big celebration took place. “Khosh keligiz”, “Welcome” - local residents cordially say to all true nature lovers who come to the Elbrus region.