There is no place left on earth where man has not been. People live almost everywhere, which of course affects the world around us. Animals change their habitat, some disappear altogether, plants become less and less. And we would never have known what the fauna was like in this or that region before, if we hadn't started to close them. For those who do not understand what we are talking about, we will tell you why reserves are needed, why they are so protected and how they differ.

Protected areas: history

People have been solving problems related to the conservation of nature for a long time. The first law on this subject was passed in the 3rd century BC. Then King Devanampiyatiss organized the first reserve.

In the Middle Ages, the European nobility guarded their hunting estates. Barons and counts allocated areas where hunting was prohibited.

During the reign of Romanov Alexei Mikhailovich, a whole network of special forest zones appeared near Moscow. They were forbidden to hunt and perform any activity to anyone except the king.

The first piece of land protected by the state in Russia appeared in northeastern Transbaikalia on the banks of the Barguzin River.

Thus, gradually the reserve (reserve) received an official status - territory forever withdrawn from economic use to preserve samples of typical or rare natural sites. Hunting, fishing and the presence of unauthorized persons (tourists) are prohibited here, except for excursions at specially allotted times by an organized group under the supervision of employees.

What is the difference between a reserve and a sanctuary?

The reserve is also a specially protected area, but not the entire natural complex, but only objects, falls under its wing. For example, only plants or animals found here.

In addition, not all activities are prohibited in the reserve, only those that affect the lives of specific wards. For example, you can fish in local lakes, but you can’t hunt rare animals living on land.

There are more National parks. This is the most loyal type of protected areas in relation to visitors. The same laws apply here, but tourists are allowed to visit the park area and various kinds of farming are allowed on a controlled scale.

For example, in the national park you can walk with a stroller, ride a bike, but burning fires and hunting is prohibited.

Why are nature reserves and national parks important?

Considering all of the above, it is easy to understand that if we had not started creating reserves, we would have lost a good part of many representatives of flora and fauna long ago, since we ourselves maliciously violate the natural order of their life.

The importance of these unique parks cannot be overestimated:

1. They help save species diversity;
2. The security mode ensures the purity of water and fresh air;
3. Local nature serves as genetic material for future generations;
4. Without them, the development of science is impossible;
5. These are the only places where people can get close to pristine nature;

Those who allow themselves to violate the laws of protected areas: conduct unauthorized hunting, fishing, deforestation - commit a crime not only against nature, but first of all, against all people living now and future generations, their children.

What nature reserves are there in Russia?

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources for 2014, there are 104 ecological zones in our country. It is impossible to tell about everything, we will list a few:

• Azas- a reserve located in a huge depression between the mountains (Todzha basin) in the north-east of Tuva. This is a unique water complex that feeds the sources of the mighty river - the Yenisei. It consists of two large rivers and over 130 lakes;
• Bogdinsko-Baskunchaksky was opened in the Astrakhan region near Lake Baskunchak, one of the earliest in our country. The need for it arose to preserve the whole complex: a unique lake, a forest oasis and a mountain, which is the highest point in the area. As well as rare representatives of the flora - Schrenk's tulips, Taliyev's cornflowers;
• Putoranskaya is located on the Putorana Plateau, south of the Taimyr Peninsula. Rare species of animals (wild reindeer, bighorn sheep) live here, untouched rivers and lakes are seen, an ideal combination of subarctic and arctic systems is observed.

This is only a small part of the unique territories of Russia. You can read about the rest separately:

• Baikal-Lena Reserve;
• Bashkir;
• Big Arctic;
• Vishersky;
• Zhigulevsky;
• Ilmensky;

And many others. After the annexation of the Crimean peninsula, 6 more were added, now there are only 109 of them, excluding national parks and reserves.

Can I get on a tour?

Yes, you can get to almost any reserve with a guided tour. Most often, special ecological trails are organized on the territory, along which tourists are led. On my own it is forbidden to cross the boundaries of the protected object. Information can always be found on websites.

There are general rules of conduct in such places and you must follow them, because you go to visit wild animals, visit virgin places:

1. It is impossible to break and pluck plants;
2. It is forbidden to collect mushrooms, berries, nuts and other edible fruits;
3. You can not catch insects and other small inhabitants;
4. All rubbish must be taken away with you;
5. Turning off the path is prohibited;
6. When observing wild animals, do not linger for a long time and do not feed them.

In general, try to make your stay as inconspicuous as possible. You can’t even imagine what kind of discord you can bring with your close attention to the lives of local residents.

For example, looking at the eggs of a bird, you run the risk of leaving the kids without parents, they will easily leave the masonry when they feel the presence of a person.

What is a biosphere reserve?

A biosphere reserve has the same privileges as a regular biosphere reserve with only a slight difference. It is created on the basis of an already existing reserve or national park with the addition of other territories and objects to their composition.

Here they are divided into 3 zones aimed at performing three additional functions:

• reserved- Preservation and restoration of the gene pool of flora and fauna;
• Buffer- surrounding protected area, in order to prevent negative impact on the latter;
• Transitional- uniting land with the population and all types of use (land use, water use, etc.).

All biosphere reserves are organized under the auspices of UNESCO.

Their peculiarity is that specialists from all over the world can conduct their research and observations in them.

There are 37 biospheric closed zones organized in Russia:

• Altaic;
• Baikal;
• Volga-Kama;
• Lapland;
• Oksky;
• Prioksko-Terassny;
• Sikhote-Alinsky

And others, including national parks. In total, according to UNESCO, there are 699 specially protected sites in the world.

So, we tried to do everything so that you understand what an important work people do when creating nature reserves. We hope that now you will not have a question about what reserves are for and what role they play in society. This is the future of our planet, which may not be if we do not follow its rules.

Video about the role of reserves in nature conservation

In this video, ecologist Artur Moiseev will tell you why the world needs nature reserves, what and how they help to preserve:

RESERVE

NATIONAL PARK

The protection regime of the national park allows an independent visit to the territory for the purpose of recreation and tourism, with a pass and in places equipped for tourism and fishing. However, there are also restrictions.

In the national parks any activity that can cause damage to natural complexes and objects of flora and fauna, cultural and historical objects and which is contrary to the goals and objectives is prohibited national park, including:

1. Industrial logging;

2. Exploration and development of minerals;

3. Hunting;

4. Visit without a pass;

5. Organization of mass sports and entertainment events, organization of tourist camps, making a fire in the wrong places;

6. Being on the territory with a dog without a muzzle and a leash;

7. Movement and parking of vehicles not related to the functioning of national parks;

8. Rafting wood along watercourses and reservoirs;

9. Export of items of historical and cultural value;

10. Construction of facilities not related to the functioning of national parks and ensuring the functioning of settlements located within their boundaries.

In view of the fact that the main task of the reserve is preservation of nature in its natural state, the territory is completely withdrawn from economic use. On the territory of the state natural reserve any activity that is contrary to the tasks of the state natural reserve and the regime of special protection of its territory, established in the regulation about this state nature reserve.

This means that it is forbidden:

1. Independently visit the territory;

2. Be in the territory without a pass;

3. Cut down trees (actually cut down anything);

4. Collect mushrooms, berries, wild plants (nuts, herbs, etc.);

5. Fishing;

6. Hunt;

7. Build objects that are not related to the activities of the reserve.

Many believe that foreign national and natural parks are analogues of our domestic reserves. Actually this is different types protected areas, which differ from each other in the level of ecosystem protection and visiting regime. So, we offer to see how different types of territories with a nature protection regime that exist in Russia and other countries differ.

natural monument

A natural monument is understood as a natural complex valuable from any point of view, as well as a separate object of natural or artificial origin. A lake, a waterfall, a cave, a spring, some unique tree or a whole relic grove, as well as objects of high paleontological value, can act as a natural monument. At the same time, a different nature protection regime can operate on the territory of a natural monument - a reserve or a reserve, which happens less often.

Natural monument Lake Seliger

Reserve

Reserves are created in order to protect some specific species of animals or plants, or to preserve the entire landscape complex. In these territories, economic activities are allowed that do not damage protected species. Scientific research is carried out here, and people sometimes interfere in the life of the inhabitants of the reserve, feeding ungulates in winter or regulating the number of some species of animals.

national park

Human economic activity in the national park is also limited, but allowed. In addition, the territory of the national park is visited by tourists, for whom special routes have been developed and viewing platforms have been equipped. National parks often combine conservation activities with educational activities.

Natural Park

The environmental regime in natural parks is not as strict as in national parks, and the main purpose of their creation is the organization of recreation. Of course, the environmental component is also present, but natural parks are known primarily as popular places for outdoor activities and are often visited by tourists.

Nature Park "Ergaki"

nature reserve

Reserves include territories where any economic activity is completely prohibited. This includes not only hunting or logging, but also fishing, picking berries, mushrooms and other wild plants. Only scientific activities are allowed in the reserves and in rare cases ecotourism is possible.

biosphere reserve

Reserves included in the international network of especially valuable natural areas, organized within the framework of the UNESCO program, have the status of biosphere reserves. Control over their condition and scientific activity is carried out within the framework of international programs. At the same time, both a natural reserve and a national park can serve as the basis for organizing a biosphere reserve. In total, there are more than 650 biosphere reserves in the world, and in Russia there are 37 of these protected areas with international status.

Human intervention in the ecological system in the process of vigorous economic activity often leads to irreparable consequences. Individual species of animals are under the threat of complete extinction, the conditions for bird migration are violated, the species diversity of the plant world is narrowing, natural reservoirs and drinking sources are suffering. In order to preserve natural areas and maintain the ecological balance, state-protected nature reserves, national parks and sanctuaries are being created. Their status is determined by the executive authorities authorized to make appropriate decisions in the field of protection and environmental protection.
According to the features of the protection mode reserves are a natural zone where activities that violate the structure of the ecosystem, negatively affect the reproduction of certain species of animals and birds, or entail a change in the natural landscape are prohibited or restricted.
Game reserves are most often created to preserve populations of valuable animals. On their territory, a temporary ban is introduced on hunting and trapping, as well as on activities that may lead to a change in their habitat. This applies to reclamation work, deforestation, the use of meadows for grazing, laying roads and building various economic facilities.
In places with severe winters, for the inhabitants of the reserves, suffering from a lack of food, feeding grounds are arranged, and in flood zones, restrictive dams are built to prevent the flooding of holes of meadow rodents, anthills, bumblebee nests and bird clutches.
Botanical and hydrological reserves are natural scientific laboratories in which observations are made of the vegetation processes of plants and the state of water bodies that affect the spawning of commercial fish. Phenomena are studied in landscape reserves, under the influence of which there is a change in the structure of the soil, the transformation of rock masses, the formation of stalactite caves. The protective functions of such reserves are associated with similar research work.
reserves- territories strictly protected by the state, within which there are land areas, forests and water areas inhabited by endangered species of animals or representing a rare combination of a community of plant organisms and unique geological formations. The status of a protected area is usually assigned to an area that is typical for a certain geographical area and at the same time is of scientific value as a natural object or national historical heritage.
Any types of economic and industrial activities are prohibited in the reserves, movement and any actions that threaten the integrity of the natural complex and can lead to the death of animals, birds, inhabitants of water bodies and vegetation are strictly limited,
Unlike reserves, where protective measures are provided for individual species of animals and plants, reserves keep intact the entire natural complex as a dynamic structure that reflects the adaptability of living organisms to the environment.
The most significant reserves are included in the number of biosphere reserves and have the appropriate UNESCO certificates. Among them are the Grand Canyon, which occupies a territory along the Colorado River with a length of 466 km, Feuordland, which unites the deepest lakes in New Zealand, Iguazu Falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil, the Great Barrier Reef off the east coast of Australia. Biosphere reserves also include our domestic ones: Taimyr, Baikal, Barguzinsky. Central Siberian and Caucasian.

the site determined that the difference between a nature reserve and a sanctuary is as follows:

Reserves are created for the conservation and development of individual populations of animals, birds or aquatic life. Reserves preserve all kinds of living organisms in their natural habitat.
In the reserves, temporary restrictions are introduced on certain types of economic activities in order to avoid their detrimental effect on the restoration of the number of protected populations. In the reserves, any kind of economic and industrial activity is under a permanent ban.
In the reserves, measures are being taken to feed the animals in unfavorable weather conditions. Such measures are not provided for in reserves, since the goal is to preserve the natural development of the natural complex without active human intervention.
Reserves are divided into hunting, botanical and hydrological. Reserves are natural, landscape, historical, archaeological. Museum-reserves are especially distinguished, which may include a part of the city, a park or a separate estate of architectural or historical value.
Natural reserves, unlike wildlife preserves, can be included in the number of biosphere reserves.

Many people have heard the phrase "national park", but not everyone knows what it really is. These objects are of particular interest to travelers, especially for those who prefer natural beauties to man-made ones. In this article, we will explain what is a national park how it differs from the reserve, and list the most worthy places to visit from the world natural heritage.

What is a national park

A national park is a special area with a natural landscape that is protected in order to limit human activities. By the way, under this name, not only the territory, but also the water area can act - i.e. absolutely any part of the planet where efforts are being made to preserve its natural primordiality.

The main thing that a traveler needs to know about national parks is that you can travel through them. In fact, they were created precisely for this, so that a modern person can see for himself the endless beauty of untouched nature. Also in national parks, you can conduct scientific research, conduct some types of economic activity.

Despite the fact that the concept of a national park is universal, it may have its own characteristics in each country, respectively, the rules of behavior in natural objects may be different, and the traveler should carefully study them before the trip.

They tried to give a universal definition of the term what a national park is at the tenth session of the General Assembly of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Common features for such parks were proposed to be called:

• the primordial nature of the natural system or the insignificant influence of man on it;
• a fairly large area;
• interest in these places in terms of science, spirituality or tourism.

In Russia, for example, a clause on the presence of completely untouched areas of nature in a national park is mandatory. Those. if there are none, then the site cannot be considered a national park.

Among the characteristic features that unite the concepts of a national park around the world, also include:

• Diversity of landscape, flora and fauna. There may also be rare species of plants and animals listed in the Red Book.
• Objective beauty of landscapes;
• The presence of significant cultural and historical events in the area;
• Clearly perceived tourist potential of the place.

Reserve. Definition

A reserve is a section of an ecosystem untouched by humans, access to the territory of which is strictly limited in order to protect the rare species of animals and plants found in it. Thus, the main goal of the reserve is to preserve the natural course of life of all the structures that make up the ecosystem.

How is a national park different from a nature reserve?

The main thing in which the national park differs from the reserve is the degree of restriction of human activity.. In national parks, quite a lot of activities are allowed - from scientific research to the organization of hiking trips. It is impossible to enter the reserve without special permission from the environmental authorities, and almost all types of human activity are prohibited there. Movement across the territory is severely restricted, any activities that pose a danger to at least any part of the natural system are suppressed. This, by the way, is the difference between nature reserves and sanctuaries, in which only certain populations of the animal and plant world are “subjected to protection”.

What is the reason for such a strict regime of access to the territory?

In the reserves, with few exceptions, there are rare and endangered species of plants or animals. The situation is often so serious that only a complete ban on human intervention can save the living population. Tourism in the reserves is practically excluded, but a variety of scientific activities are carried out - monitoring the state of the ecological environment, counting animals, training specialists in environmental protection, etc.

As with national parks, the concept of a nature reserve can vary from country to country. In Russia, reserves are under strict protection of federal legislation. Any Russian nature reserve, the definition of which is quite clearly spelled out in legislative acts, is a specially protected area.