Russian Arctic is a national park in the Arkhangelsk region. It is located in the northern part of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago. Created on June 15, 2009. The national park includes reserve lands with a total area of 1,426,000 ha, of which land - 632,090 ha, marine areas - 793,910 ha.
Reasons and goals for the creation of the park
This region is home to the largest bird markets in the Northern Hemisphere (guillemots and eiders), walrus rookeries, polar bears, bowhead whales, arctic foxes, harp seals and seals. The vegetation is represented by some species of mosses, lichens and a small number of flowering plants. The park is being created to preserve the unique nature of the Arctic.
The territory of the national park is interesting not only for its nature. The cultural heritage of the national park is also unique: there are places and objects associated with the history of the discovery and development of the Russian Arctic since the 16th century, in particular, those associated with the activities of Russian polar explorers Rusanov and Sedov, as well as the sites of the Dutch navigator Willem Barents, who discovered these lands for Western Europeans, and Russian Pomors, who had been there long before him.
Thus, this region is of great interest for the development of ecological scientific and educational tourism. In 2009, Vladimir Putin invited the ministers to spend their next vacation in this park or in other similar places.
FGBU " national park Russian Arctic also protects the territory of the Franz Josef Land state nature reserve of federal significance, as well as measures to preserve biological diversity and maintain the natural state of protected natural complexes on the territory of this reserve.
Nature
Significance of the Franz Josef Land archipelago for maintaining bird and mammal populations
Franz Josef Land and its adjacent waters play an exceptional role in ensuring the reproduction and sustainable existence of many populations of Arctic species.
Firstly, Franz Josef Land is the most important area in the western sector of the Arctic from a conservation point of view; five species listed in the Red Book live here. Russian Federation and the International Red Book.
A significant part of the Russian and world populations of the ivory gull, a rare native Arctic species, breeds on the archipelago; the largest colonies of this gull in the Barents Sea are known on the islands.
The water area of Franz Josef Land is a key area of the modern range of the Svalbard population of the bowhead whale, the rarest marine mammal in the North Atlantic. Franz Josef Land is the area of the most frequent sightings of whales and their year-round habitat. Thanks to the animals preserved here, the Svalbard population began to slowly restore its numbers and range.
The water area of Franz Josef Land is the place of the most regular sightings of narwhals in the Russian Arctic.
Franz Josef Land is the most important area for the maintenance and reproduction of the Atlantic walrus, which, due to the presence of stationary polynyas, inhabits the archipelago all year round.
A significant part of the East Atlantic subpopulation of the subspecies is concentrated here. As in the case of the polar bear, the north of the Barents Sea is inhabited by a single population of walruses, and, thanks to the expanded reproduction of the walrus grouping that has survived on Franz Josef Land, in recent decades, the number of walruses has been restored and recolonized by the animal on the islands of Svalbard.
The islands are an important center of reproduction of the polar bear of the Kara-Barents Sea population. IN summer time there is an increased density of the polar bear population compared to neighboring areas. Secondly, the archipelago plays an important role in preserving and maintaining the ornithological diversity of the Russian Arctic.
Most of the Russian breeding population of the Atlantic subspecies of the fulmar and the polar subspecies of the little auk is concentrated here.
Franz Josef Land is home to the northernmost known breeding colonies of the thick-billed murre in the world.
The archipelago contains the only proven nesting sites in Russia for the Atlantic subspecies of the black goose, the main nesting sites for the Greenland subspecies of the common eider, as well as the sites of the short-beaked bean goose.
The Russian North is a territory that is difficult to access and poorly explored. However, it does not cease to attract with its splendor. The protected lands of Karelia, Obonezhye, Vologda need protection and care. The National Park "Russian Arctic" is designed to preserve the natural and cultural wealth of the exclusive part of the Russian North.
Possessions of the "Russian Arctic"
In order to realize the potential of Russia in the Arctic, preserve the special nature of the North and conduct scientific research In 1999, the deputies of the Arkhangelsk Regional Assembly decided to organize the Russian Arctic National Park. It was planned to unite natural complexes in the Barents Sea, on Franz Josef Land and in the north of Novaya Zemlya. After 10 years, V.V. Putin ordered the establishment of the Russian Arctic National Park. The territory of the park includes many protected islands, among which Fr. Gemskerk, Fr. Loshkin, oh. Northern, Orange Islands. The total area of the "Russian Arctic" is about 1.5 million hectares: most of it is occupied by the water area (about 790 thousand hectares).
Reserve "Franz Josef Land"
One of the world's largest is Franz Josef Land, the archipelago actually adjoins the "Russian Arctic". The lands of the archipelago have been considered protected since 1994, when the Franz Josef Land state nature reserve was created. The reserve, which is protected by the "Russian Arctic", was formed to preserve the pristine nature, decisions environmental issues, reproduction of resources. An important task is to protect the local fauna from human influence.
Polar bears live on the lands of the archipelago, for which nature has created a favorable atmosphere here for the establishment of offspring.
Walrus rookeries occupy significant areas of the reserve. On the islands of Appolonov and Stolichki, you can see rare Atlantic walruses on a rookery. Numerous here
Unique microclimate
"Russian Arctic" (the national park in has a unique microclimate. The location of the park is peculiar. It is washed by two Barents and Kara. At the same time, the southwestern part of the Barents Sea is always free from ice, the Kara Sea, on the contrary, does not freeze only in summer period near river mouths. Such a feature of nature creates an exceptional microclimate in the park, in which such a variety of fauna is observed, which is not found in any Arctic territory.
Fauna
"Russian Arctic" is a national park with very few permanent inhabitants. There are only 11 species of animals, but they are all unique. Most of them are found in the Red Book of Russia: the Atlantic walrus and the Novaya Zemlya deer, the bowhead whale and the polar bear, the narwhal and minke minke. The park plays an important role in the protection of the Kara-Barents polar bear population. Arctic foxes (on dry hills) and lemmings (near water bodies) live in the tundra zones of the park.
"Russian Arctic" is an important habitat for the bowhead whale, its Svalbard population.
At the beginning of the 20th century, this rare mammal was on the verge of extinction. Now the population is increasing. In coastal waters, there are such marine mammals as a bearded seal, ringed seal, Atlantic walrus, seal, narwhal.
Avifauna
The avifauna of the park is the largest in the Russian North. Conditions on the territory are favorable for permanent habitation and seasonal nesting. There is enough food here, especially during the warm period, there are many places for arranging nests, there are practically no predators. Terrestrial are the tundra partridge and snowy owl. Guillemots, polar guillemots, little auks, common kittiwakes, white gulls, burgomasters and other bird species nest on the rocky shores of the islands.
With all the diversity of avifauna, representatives different populations rarely live together. Little auks inhabit coastal territories and do not leave them even for wintering. Guillemots, on the contrary, only nest on the shore, and spend the rest of their time in the sea, like gulls and kittiwakes. Glaucous raptors and skuas settle near large seabird nests that serve as food for them.
National Park "Russian Arctic" (Arkhangelsk) is also attractive for migratory birds. They fly from southern countries in early spring, during the mating season. All passerines, with the exception of the snow bunting, are migratory. The horned lark, Lapland plantain, wheatear, tap dance nest in dry grass and under the duck family is also represented in the "Russian Arctic", there are 12 species of them. Together with other freshwater birds, they nest and feed on arctic lakes and streams. In September, the colonies replenished with chicks migrate to warmer places.
Cultural and historical heritage
National Park "Russian Arctic" - a place with a special historical and cultural heritage. Objects connected with the history of the discovery of the Arctic are concentrated here. It is known that in the 11-12 centuries, fishing was carried out in the park, there was a hunt for walruses because of their fangs, foxes because of their exceptional fur, birds with rare feathers. The first European navigator to reach Novaya Zemlya was the Englishman Hugh Willoughby. His ship set off in 1553 to look for a northern passage from Europe to China. Having reached the south of Novaya Zemlya and making a stop at the mouth of the Varzina River, the entire crew died under mysterious circumstances, possibly from carbon monoxide. The famous Dutch navigator Willim Barents reached Novaya Zemlya at the end of the 16th century. He sailed near the northern coast of Novaya Zemlya, wintered on the island with the crew. On the way back, the sailor fell mortally ill with scurvy. The crew returned home with valuable scientific observations.
The first Russian navigator to Novaya Zemlya was Fyodor Rozmyslov. He spent about a year on the expedition, during which he took notes, described the territory and its features, carried out meteorological observations and geodetic work. His crew reached the mouth of the Matochkin Shar and was forced to return to Arkhangelsk. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the Novaya Zemlya archipelago began to be visited more often, especially by Russian researchers. In 1909, Vladimir Rusanov, a Russian navigator, made the first reliable cartographic description of Novaya Zemlya. IN Soviet time various studies were carried out on the territory of the present park.
Currently, ecotourism is developing here.
Everyone can visit the national park "Russian Arctic". Photos and videos can be taken from the cruisers sailing from Murmansk, and during numerous moorings to the shores of the islands.
It is known that Novgorodians went to Novaya Zemlya, a group of islands located between the Kara and Barents Seas, in the 11th-12th centuries. Willem Barents walked around Severny Island from its northern part and spent the winter on it eastern shores in 1596. And already today, on June 15, 2009, it was organized national park "Russian Arctic".
The national park is one of the youngest protected areas in the Russian Federation. In December 2010 park "Russian Arctic" replenished with a state nature reserve of federal significance "Franz Josef Land"- the most northern territory of the land of Eurasia.
General information, relief and climate of the Russian Arctic National Park
National Park "Russian Arctic" often referred to as "Pearl of the Arctic". Its territory, in general, is 14,260 square kilometers, which is equal to 6,320 square kilometers of land and 7,940 square kilometers of the territorial waters of the Russian Federation. Ice of continental origin covers more than 85% of the surface of the islands.The park is dominated by polar arctic climate, which is characterized by temperatures close to zero or negative values of the annual radiation balance. Summer is cold and short, lasting from June to August. Winter, on the contrary, is severe and long: it begins in mid-October and ends in March.
The national park is located in the Arkhangelsk region. There are no permanent residents in the protected area.
National Park "Russian Arctic" and its vegetation
The protected area contains unique, almost untouched ecosystems. Vegetable world represented by some types lichens, mosses, as well as a small number of flowering plants.Russian Arctic National Park and its wildlife
The animal world is rich and varied. The water area of the Arctic is inhabited throughout the year by bowhead whale and narwhal. Large flocks of birds nest on steep and high capes, thereby forming bird rookeries. These are mainly eiders and guillemots.
Novaya Zemlya hosts very rich rookeries of arctic mammals: arctic foxes, walruses, harp seals and seals. One of the most important centers of reproduction and habitat is located there. polar bear, which belongs to the marine Kara-Barents population. This animal belongs to specially protected animal species and is listed in the Russian Red Book.
Goals and objectives
the main objective National Park "Russian Arctic"− preserve the cultural, historical and natural heritage of the Western sector of the Russian Arctic. In addition to the reserving functions typical of any national park, "Russian Arctic" the task of cleansing the territory is urgent.
The national park is rapidly unwinding ecological tourism. The park is also designed to ensure ecological balance in a large Arctic territory.
The Arctic is a mysterious territory that has long attracted romantics and explorers. Boundless and, at first glance, deserted and lifeless spaces are actually full of the most diverse life. And this is exactly what you can see by visiting the Russian Arctic National Park - the northernmost of the protected lands of the Russian Federation, the third largest and the youngest park in Russia.
How it all began
The Russian Arctic National Park in Russia has a rather long history. He owes his creation to Pyotr Vladimirovich Boyarsky, known to most as a writer and publicist. But Petr Vladimirovich is a Soviet, and after a Russian geographer, historian, physicist and equestrian professional. A keen explorer of the Arctic expanses, it was he who, in 1986, was the first to voice the idea of the need for comprehensive conservation and study of those northern expanses that many consider lifeless.
It was thanks to him that the Franz Josef Land federal reserve was formed in 1994, which later (in 2016) will become part of the Russian Arctic National Park.
Northernmost and youngest
federal state state-financed organization The Russian Arctic National Park was established by order of the Russian Government on a summer day in June 2009. At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin advised all ministers to spend their holidays in this vast expanse, surrounded by landscapes that will fascinate forever. In 2011, the Federal State Budgetary Institution National Park "Russian Arctic" received a TIN and a place of registration in northern capital Russia - Arkhangelsk.
Endless expanses
Federal State Budgetary Institution National Park "Russian Arctic" is 793,910 hectares of marine waters and 632,090 hectares of land. These are the northern part of Severny Island, all the islands of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago (Big and Small Orange, Gemskerk and others) and 192 islands of the most glaciated land in our part of the Arctic - the Franz Josef Land archipelago. For information, the entire area of the National Park "Russian Arctic" with the lands of the reserve, which has already been mentioned, is more than 8.8 hectares of protected areas.
For what
To preserve and restore, if necessary, the unique nature of these territories is the main goal of the Russian Arctic National Park. The flora and fauna of these icy expanses, seemingly so lifeless, are mostly represented by Red Book species.
And the first on the list is the narwhal - a one-horned whale, or a sea unicorn, which became the emblem of the park. Polar bears, rare Atlantic walruses, bowhead whales and white gulls also live here. But the list of inhabitants of the land of multi-colored icebergs, turquoise sea surface and never-setting polar sun does not end there. It is here that fifteen species of birds fly to hatch their chicks.
Why park
All subjects of protected areas are subordinate to the Ministry natural resources and ecology of the Russian Federation. The main document that regulates the activities of such entities is The federal law dated 14.03.1995 No. 33 - Federal Law "On Specially Protected Natural Territories". And when choosing the status of protected areas, one should take into account the main thing - what kind of activity and to what extent will be carried out here. IN natural parks a regime is established under which some economic activity is possible that ensures the existence of the park. And this and research, and tourism, and regulated hunting.
Environmental problems of the Arctic territories
Today, not only Russia, but all the countries of the Arctic Council, established in 1996, are concerned about the state of the environment in the Arctic. Offshore oil and gas development, oil losses and spills in Arctic Ocean, uncontrolled poaching causes irreparable damage to the still most untouched territories.
Do not forget about the melting of ice as a result global warming. Cases are already known when, due to the rapid melting of ice, polar bears lost strength and drowned, unable to swim to the nearest ice floe.
Uniqueness of the Russian Arctic National Park
The great diversity of life in these areas is due to several factors. From the west, the park is washed by the Barents Sea, which does not freeze under the influence of the North Atlantic Current. From the east is the Kara Sea, which is completely covered with ice. And here is Franz Josef Land - the most icy part of the land. It is the combination geographical location, the absence of offshore developments and not such a great distance from the main continent contribute to the presence of a greater variety of life forms here than in other regions of the Arctic.
Features of tourism
One of the economic activities of the park is the development of ecological tourism. The first such season was held here in 2011, when 900 visitors visited here. But tourism is different. These are mainly Arctic cruises, when people watch landscapes, bird colonies and animals (walrus rookeries and bears with cubs) from the icebreaker ship.
To feel the hardness of the lands sung in the sagas of the Scandinavians and the legends of the Pomors, tourists can only after they go through some procedures: washing shoes in a special solution, driving through the sea on dangerous rubber zodiacs and accompanying park employees.
The most diverse bird market in the Arctic is located on the Rubini rock. And the Cape of Desire was at first the Cape of Desire. That is what Willem Barents called it when he was looking for a passage to India. But the Pomors opened it long before him. They sailed here to catch large fish and called this cape and nearby waters Income. Cape Fligeli, which is located in the chain of the Franz Josef Land archipelago, is the northernmost point of the Eurasian continent.
Arkhangelsk 163100 is the last post office on the way north. It is located on Hayes Island and is open from 10 to 11 from Tuesday to Friday. Champa Island is the northern Easter Island. Only here (and nowhere else on any of the 190 islands of Franz Josef Land) are strange round stones of completely different sizes. Why they are, and who made them, no one knows.
There is a polar meteorological station on Hooker Island and it is in the form in which it was built in 1929. The era of the Soviet development of the Arctic appears before the tourist in all its glory. On the island of Alexandra during the Second World War, the Germans founded a base "Treasure hunter"(Schatzgraber), which was discovered after the war. It was so well equipped that Soviet polar explorers used it for a long time.
From June to September 2017, the park conducts 5 expeditions with tourists on the icebreakers 50 Let Pobedy, Akademik Shokalsky and Sea Spirit. And everyone can become a witness of this wonderful journey. But volunteers from Arkhangelsk visit the Russian Arctic more often. Every year they and the park staff spend environmental actions for garbage collection on the islands of Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya.
The park contains unique places in Russia where the black geese of the Atlantic subspecies nest. The main nesting territories of the common eider of the Greenland subspecies are also located here, and the short-billed bean goose periodically nests.
Everyone who has visited the Russian Arctic National Park says that they did not even imagine such beauties and amazing discoveries when they went on a trip. And forever they remain fans of these amazingly deceptive lifeless expanses, so deserted and so filled with life.
