Sokhondinsky State Natural Biosphere Reserve. Encyclopedia of Transbaikalia What animals are there in the Transbaikal region

Instructions

The Daurian hedgehog is not one of the animals whose extinction is a real threat, however, in order to prevent this from happening, the population size of such species should be taken care of in advance, and not when it is too late. The main enemies of the Daurian hedgehog are natural - they are hunted by eagle owls, eagles and badgers, which significantly reduces the number of hedgehogs. Climatic conditions also take their toll - many animals of this species die due to low May temperatures and heavy rains in June.

The river otter, also listed in the Red Book, has a different situation. It is on the verge of extinction and in its usual habitats, along the riverbeds of most large rivers, has already been exterminated. The main causes of extinction are poaching, deforestation and overfishing. The latter factor deprives the otter of food and leads to the death of this animal from starvation.

Manul, in last years recovering its population, belongs to the cat family and is only slightly larger than cats. Today in Transbaikalia there are about ten thousand individuals of this species, and its main enemy is. Hunting with the use of special equipment, traps and snares does not allow the Pallas cat to restore the numbers of its species to the full extent.

Despite the fact that the leopard lives in Primorye and China, situations periodically arise when this rare animal enters the Transbaikalia region. Due to the rarity of such situations in the region, no measures have yet been taken to save and protect leopards.

The Amur tiger appears in Transbaikalia much more often - it is seen quite regularly in the area of ​​the Shilka River, but it is also found in other places Trans-Baikal Territory. This is due to the fact that in recent years tigers have begun migrating towards the west, settling in the Jewish Autonomous and Amur regions, but sometimes reaching Baikal itself.

The irbis, or snow leopard, like the tiger and leopard, is an animal that is on the verge of complete extinction. It appears infrequently in Transbaikalia; its main habitats are the Pamirs, Altai and Tibet. Ironically, its main enemy is the leopard, whose numbers are also steadily declining.

Artiodactyls of the Transbaikal Territory are found in no less than plight than predators. The mountain sheep, or argali, appears quite rarely in these parts, which is why determining its exact habitat is a rather difficult task. The number of bighorn sheep is also dwindling, and only the gazelle, an antelope from the bovid family, has recently managed to more or less restore its population.

From the history of the Trans-Baikal Territory

The development of Transbaikalia began in the middle of the 7th century. Not far from the confluence of the Ingoda and Chita rivers, a Cossack detachment founded the first fortifications. Soon there arose the whole system forts, the Cossacks gained a foothold not only in the valleys of the Selenga, Ingoda, Shilka, but also on the right bank of the Amur and Argun. The extreme southeastern outpost of the new Cossack settlements became the Argun fort. Thus, Transbaikalia turned out to be the territory of Russian politics, which was extremely disliked by neighboring China, which had its own views on the lands of Dauria - as Transbaikalia and the Amur region were collectively called at that time.

In the 1680s, a 12,000-strong Chinese army went to war against Dauria, planning to completely annex it to their territory. But as a result of the signing of the Treaty of Nerchinsk in August 1689, the Chinese had to be content only with the right bank of the Argun River. It was along it that the new border passed, and all Russian buildings from the right bank were moved to the left. Further formation of the Transbaikalia border took place in the 18th century, when China began to lay claim to the lands of all of Southern Siberia.

In 1727, the Treaty of Burin was concluded, according to which the border between Russia and China extended from the Abagaytu hill to the Shamin-Dabaga pass in Altai. Under Catherine II, Transbaikalia became part of the Irkutsk governorship. The Trans-Baikal region on the territory of the Irkutsk province was formed in 1851 by decree of Emperor Nicholas I. By the same decree, Chita was given the status of a city. Later, the transfer of the borders of the present Transbaikalia occurred several more times - in connection with the division of this territory into different districts and regions and their unification into new municipal units.

In the 19th century, the first gold-bearing placers were discovered in Transbaikalia, which gave rise to industrial gold mining. Among the attractions of Transbaikalia are many nature reserves, sanctuaries, national parks, thermal springs, picturesque lakes, mountain peaks and caves, as well as historical and architectural sites. For example, the Archangel Michael Church in Chita is a monument of wooden architecture of the 18th century. Now the “Church of the Decembrists” museum is opened in its building, where their documents, books, and personal belongings are stored. Also interesting are the Konduisky town - a monument of the Mongol period of Transbaikalia; Mount Alkhanay - one of the five sacred peaks of northern Buddhism; natural biosphere reserve“Daursky” with bitterly salty Torey lakes - the remnants of the Protorey Sea.

In the vicinity of the village of Kyra, sites of ancient Stone Age people with the first forges have been preserved. Another “attraction” of the region that tourists strive to bring home is local honey. Beekeeper's Day of the Trans-Baikal Territory, celebrated annually on August 14, is here national holiday. City Day in Chita is celebrated on the last Sunday of May.

Geography and climatic conditions

Located in Eastern Transbaikalia. It borders with the Buryat and Yakut republics, Irkutsk and Amur regions, Mongolia and China. The Trans-Baikal Territory extends about a thousand kilometers from north to south and 800-1500 kilometers from west to east. The main rivers are the Baikal, Lena and Amur basins.

A significant part of Transbaikalia belongs to the taiga zone, bordering in the south with forest-steppes and dry steppes. The mountain-basin relief causes the interweaving of horizontal zoning and high-mountain zonality of landscapes. The lowlands and plains of southeastern Transbaikalia and part of the basins are occupied by cereal-forb steppes. The outskirts of intermountain basins and the lower part of mountain slopes up to 1200 m are covered with mountain forest-steppe (birch, larch and aspen forests interspersed with areas of steppes), from 1200 to 1900 m there is mountain taiga with a predominance of Daurian larch. Siberian cedar is found, above 1600 m thickets of dwarf cedar and lichen tundra begin; in the southern part of Transbaikalia there are larch-birch and pine forests.

The climate of Transbaikalia is harsh, sharply continental. Already in October, elevated temperatures are established here. Atmosphere pressure. Winter in the intermountain basins is partly cloudy and dry, there is little precipitation, and the duration of sunshine here is longer than in Yalta and Kislovodsk. Even weak winds are rare at this time.

In these conditions earth's surface loses a lot of heat as a result of radiation, which explains temperature inversions and the prevalence of persistent frosts. Average January temperatures vary from -23° in the south of the region to -30 -33° in the north and southeast, and absolute minimums reach -50 -58°. Summer here is warm, sometimes even hot.

The average July temperature in the flat areas in the south of the region is from 19 to 21-22°, but on some days the heat reaches 35-40°. At an altitude of 1500-2000 m, July temperatures are 10-14°, and frosts occur even in July and August.

In the steppe regions of the Transbaikal region, precipitation falls 200-300 mm/year, in the mountain-taiga belt - about 350-450 mm. 60-70% of their annual amount occurs in the warm season, mainly in July and August, when heavy rains occur.

In spring and June, rains are rare, and therefore droughts are observed in the steppe regions. In winter, no more than 5-8% of the annual precipitation falls in intermountain basins; The thickness of the snow cover is not very large even in the mountain taiga, and in some steppe basins of Eastern Transbaikalia it is only 5-10 cm.

Administrative-territorial structure and population

The population of the Trans-Baikal Territory, according to the preliminary results of the 2010 All-Russian Population Census, as of October 14, 2010 is 1,106.6 thousand people (1,099.4 thousand people according to 2012 data), 0.8% of the Russian population. The population density as of October 14, 2010 was 2.6 people per 1 sq. km (in Russia the population density is 8.4 people per 1 sq. km).

The main settlement zone covers the central, southern and south-eastern parts of the Trans-Baikal Territory. The most densely populated area (9-13 people/km2) is the area along the railway and the valleys of the Ingoda, Shilka and Onon rivers. The population density is somewhat lower in the Onon-Borzinsky and Aginsky steppes. In the southwest of the region the population is located along the valleys of the Khilok and Chikoy rivers; in the northern regions the population density is low.

The Trans-Baikal Territory is inhabited by representatives of more than 120 nationalities, incl. Russians, Buryats, Tatars, Ukrainians, Belarusians, etc. Aginsky Buryat Okrug is populated mainly by Buryats (54.9%, average population density - 4.2 people/km2) and Russians (about 40%). In the north, in the Vitim and Olekma basin, live the Evenks and Yakuts.

The Trans-Baikal Territory includes 31 administrative districts, 10 cities, 41 urban-type settlements, 28 towns, 750 rural settlements. The administrative center is the city of Chita, located 6074 km east of Moscow. The Trans-Baikal Territory is part of the eighth time zone, the time difference with Moscow is +6 hours.

The largest city is the regional center of Chita (325.3 thousand people). Other cities have a significantly smaller population: Krasnokamensk (55.7 thousand people), Borzya (31.4 thousand people), Petrovsk-Zabaikalsky (18.5 thousand people), Baley (12.5 thousand people). All cities and many urban-type settlements are administrative centers of districts.

Number of municipalities by type:

Municipalities, total - 418

Municipal districts - 31

Urban districts - 4

Settlements - 383

incl. urban - 45, rural - 338

Diversified complex of the regional economy

Among the subjects Russian Federation The economy of the Trans-Baikal Territory ranks 51st out of 82 regions. The volume of GRP of the Trans-Baikal Territory in 2011 was estimated to be 187.4 billion rubles, or 104.8% of the 2010 level. In the structure of GRP, the largest share is occupied by transport and communications (over 35%), industry (over 20%), agriculture, hunting and forestry (9%), construction (7%). The economically active population is 541.3 thousand people.

The industry is represented by 1,269 organizations employing 52.2 thousand people or 9.6% of the economically active population of the region.

The volume of industrial production in 2011 amounted to 106.3% of the 2010 level. The basic economic activities of industry are mining; production and distribution of electricity, gas and water; in manufacturing industries - metallurgical production, production of machinery and equipment and food production. Their total share in general structure The industrial production of the region is more than 90 percent.

The volume of agricultural products in farms of all categories in 2011 increased by 2.4% compared to 2010.

Originality natural conditions region has historically determined the characteristics of the agricultural industry. The main agricultural specialization of the region is livestock farming.

The leading and promising industries are beef cattle breeding, sheep breeding and herd horse breeding. Sheep farming is represented by the breeding of the Trans-Baikal fine-wool breed of sheep. In beef cattle breeding, the gene pool of Hereford, Kalmyk, and Kazakh white-headed cattle breeds has been preserved.

The housing stock of the region in 2011 totaled more than 21.5 million square meters, with an average of 19.5 square meters of housing per resident. In 2011, 277 thousand square meters of total residential space were commissioned.

Investment potential

The basic investment projects attracting the largest share of investments were the Southern Railway (reconstruction of the section of the Trans-Baikal railway from Karymskaya to Zabaikalsk), the investment project “Creation of transport infrastructure for the development of mineral resources of the south-east of the Trans-Baikal Territory”, implemented with state support from funds Investment Fund of the Russian Federation and with the involvement of funds from OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel, mining industry.

Strategically important for improving the economy of the Trans-Baikal Territory is the creation of a mining complex in the north of the region (BAM zone).

Transport infrastructure

The length of public roads with hard surface is 14.65 thousand km. The main roads pass in the central and south-eastern regions of the region, providing access to the Trans-Siberian Railway.

The length of railways in the Trans-Baikal Territory is 2.4 thousand km. The railway network is represented by the Transbaikal section of the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Baikal-Amur Mainline.

There is an international airport in Chita, and there is also an airport in the village of Chara (Kalarsky district). Cross-polar air routes pass through the territory of the region (over the Arctic Ocean).

Currently, the Chita customs office operates on the territory of the region, subordinate to which there are 12 customs posts.

The Zabaikalsk railway checkpoint is the largest land crossing checkpoint on the route of cargo flow from Russia to China and back.

The Zabaikalsk automobile checkpoint serves up to 50 % passage of land cargo and passengers in road traffic between Russia and China.

Natural resources

Trans-Baikal Territory is one of the regions with a fairly high resource potential (mineral resources, water, forest and land).

The depths of the region contain 94% of the explored uranium reserves of the Russian Federation, 36% of fluorspar, 37.2% of zirconium, 23.8% of copper, 30.5% of molybdenum, 22.7% of titanium, 14.4% - silver, 8.5% - lead, 7% - gold, there are also reserves of tungsten, tin, lithium, zinc and iron ores.

On the territory of the Trans-Baikal Territory, 23 industrial coal deposits and several dozen coal occurrences with total reserves of 6.9 billion tons have been identified. The Apsatskoye and Chitkandinskoye coal deposits have high gas content. Total methane reserves in coal seams reach 63-65 billion cubic meters. m.

Significant timber reserves are concentrated in the region (forest area is 30 million hectares).

Flora and fauna of the Transbaikal region

Plants

Due to the diversity of natural conditions, the vegetation of the region has a complex and variegated composition. It represents 3 latitudinal zones: forest (middle and southern taiga), forest-steppe and steppe. Mountainous relief determines the manifestation and vertical zonality with the addition of subalpine (subalpine) and alpine (alpine) vegetation.

The flora of the region includes more than 1,700 higher vascular plants. It includes: boreal Holarctic, Eurasian, South Siberian, Central Asian, East Asian, Manchurian-Daurian species. Among them are widely represented valuable medicinal, feed, food, technical and ornamental plants. For most of them, with the exception of trees and shrubs, no resources were accounted for, although some of these species are used intensively.

There are significant areas of berry land with productivity (yield) in some areas - blueberries up to 1000 kg/ha (average economic yield - 110 kg/ha), lingonberries - up to 625 kg/ha (average economic yield 137 kg/ha).

36 types of medicinal plants are harvested, most of all - leaves and shoots of lingonberry, wild rosemary, thyme, or thyme, as well as hawthorn and bird cherry fruits, and bergenia roots.

The volume of procurement of other species is much smaller, but among them there are rare and relatively rare species - Ural licorice, pink radiola, milky-flowering peony, as well as species that are unique to the Trans-Baikal region, the reserves of raw materials of which are concentrated only here: Pallas or Fischer's euphorbia, skullcap Baikal, Astragalus membranaceus.

Animals

The fauna includes more than 500 species of vertebrate animals, including more than 80 species of mammals (3 species are acclimatized: muskrat, brown hare and American mink), more than 330 species of birds, 5 species of amphibians and 6 species of reptiles.

The degree of knowledge of the fauna of the region remains low. For most of the territory, the complete species composition of mammals and birds is still unknown, not to mention invertebrates, many of which have not yet been recorded. The situation is no better with regard to the study of the valuable mass fur-bearing and ungulate animals that form the basis of hunting.

Some vertebrates belong to the category of rare and endangered animals. The most vulnerable and poorly studied in the region include: bighorn sheep, gazelle, otter, manul, weasel, brown hare, tarbagan, black-capped marmot, Manchurian and Daurian zokor, Daurian hedgehog.

Various commercial structures are being formed aimed at the predatory use of wild resources. This is accompanied by an increase in the volume of poaching, illegal purchasing and extraction of medicinal and technical raw materials of animal origin (musk deer, deer antlers, antlers, bear bile, etc.).

The ichthyofauna of the Amur is represented by 23-28 species of fish. Nowadays, the catches rarely include guar, Amur catfish, carp, and very rarely - lenok, taimen and grayling. The endemics of the Amur basin - kaluga, Amur sturgeon and whitefish - have practically disappeared from the ichthyofauna. Compared to the Middle and Lower Amur, the ichthyofauna of the upper reaches is 3-4 times poorer.

The background fish species in Ingoda, Shilka, Onon and Arguni are taimen, lenok, and grayling. However, only in the upper reaches of the Ingoda are they numerous and their share reaches 30-40% of the catches. Downstream the river. Ingoda experiences significant anthropogenic pressure, especially in the Chita region.

The fish productivity of the rivers of the Amur basin is approximately 12-55 kg/ha, the average for the Shilka is 27.3, and for the tributaries (below the city of Sretensk) is 31.4 kg/ha.

The ichthyocenoses of the Khilok and Chikoy rivers (the basin of Lake Baikal) with their tributaries are poorly studied; knowledge about them is fragmentary. The river watercourses belong to the mountain and foothill types and are characterized by a rather poor and homogeneous composition of ichthyofauna (5-15 species), dominated by salmon, grayling and carp.

A feature of the mountain ichthyocenosis of the Chikoy River is a very large proportion of salmon and grayling (84%).

Black Baikal grayling is found in mountain streams, Baikal whitefish and perch - in foothill streams. The ichthyomass of the main commercial fish species ranges from 16.6 to 21.9 kg/ha.

The rivers of the Lena basin (Vitim, Olekma, etc.) are the least studied in terms of fisheries.

In connection with the construction of the BAM, more attention was paid to the rivers of promising development areas, in particular the Chara River. It and its tributaries are typical grayling-roller waters and act as spawning and feeding reservoirs. Common species are grayling, valek and lenok. The river's fish productivity is 5-7 kg/ha.

Animals living in the vast expanses of Transbaikalia

Those who live with us on the same lands and depend on our sometimes barbaric activities are remembered reluctantly and in passing at certain conferences and congresses. What a pity that animals, many of which are on the verge of extinction, are of so little concern to the average city dweller. Yes, we love, admire, and be touched by them in zoos, films and looking at photographs, we try to instill in children a love for surrounding fauna, and at the same time, fires caused by people and their aggressive life activities lead to the disappearance of this living beauty from nature. The only advantage is the presence protected areas which they try to protect from human presence, there are five of them in the region: Daursky, Sokhondinsky, Barguzinsky, Baikalsky and Transbaikalsky nature reserves national park. Let's try to remember those who neighbor the Transbaikal "Homo sapiens" in the same ecosystem.

Huge spaces, ambiguous terrain, the presence of many water formations that are located at the intersection of various natural areas, played a role in the diversity of the animal world. The territory of the region includes steppes, forest-steppes, taiga and high mountain areas, which shelter and become home to animals corresponding to these natural zones.

Inhabitants who have chosen the steppe and forest-steppe

The contact between the taiga and the Mongolian steppes is well expressed in the southeastern part of the region. Ungulates and rodents have especially taken root on these lands, of which the following can be found in the steppes:

The Mongolian gazelle is a medium-sized antelope, the features of which are thin legs and a dense but graceful body, on the head of males there are small lyre-shaped horns not exceeding 30 cm, and weight varies from 25 to 50 kilograms, depending on the time of year;
. Siberian roe deer of the Tien Shan subspecies, growing up to 140 cm in length, up to 85 cm at the withers and weighing about 40 kilograms;
. the tolai hare is a smaller representative of its relatives, weighing about 2.5 kilograms and growing up to 50 centimeters;
. corsac - a predatory steppe fox, distinguished by its smaller size from the usual individuals of this family, weighing up to 6 kilograms of weight and not exceeding 60 centimeters in size;
. the raccoon dog is a medium-sized predator, externally similar to a cross between a fox and a badger, reaching a length of 80 centimeters and a weight of 10 kg;
. lemming - a vole of the Khomyakov family, distinguished from its relatives by a short tail and long claws on the front paws, feeding on lichen and mosses;
. gophers are burrowing animals not exceeding 40 centimeters in length;

Hamsters - Daurian, Transbaikalian and Djungarian, living in shallow burrows;
. Daurian zokor - a specific mole belonging to the order of rodents not exceeding 24 centimeters in length;
. the jumping jerboa is a small animal of characteristic appearance, weighing no more than 170 grams and reaching a length of 180 centimeters;
. Daurian hedgehog - which has recently become a rare species listed in the Red Book;

Residents of the taiga

Taiga vegetation covers more than half of the Trans-Baikal Territory, occupying the southwest and north of the territory. Predators, rodents and ungulate species of mammals feel at ease here, of which you can see in the forests:

The red deer is a graceful animal, slightly smaller than the deer. Its weight reaches 240 kilograms; males have branched horns that grow up to a meter in length;

Elk - considered the largest inhabitant of these places, large individuals can reach a mass of 500 kilograms or more;
. musk deer is the smallest representative of ungulates, distinguished by grace and longer hind legs, reaching a length of a meter and a weight reaching up to 20 kg;
. bear - considered the owner of taiga places and the largest predator, whose body reaches 2 meters in length and weighs from 150 to 200 kilograms;

The tiger is, unfortunately, a rare guest of the Transbaikal forests, since this animal is listed in the Red Book. Adult Amur tiger reaches a length of two meters, and its weight can exceed 180 kilograms;
. wild boar - whose Ussuri subspecies reaches a size of about one and a half meters and weighs more than 300 kg;
. the lynx is a predator, a fairly large animal weighing up to 17 kilograms and reaching a length of more than a meter;
. the wolf is the most famous predator, reaching a length of 116 centimeters and weighing a maximum of 50 kg;
. white hare - distinguished by relatively short ears, weighing up to 4.5 kg and reaching a length of 60 centimeters;
. squirrel is one of the most common fur-bearing animals, reaching a length of 52 centimeters with a tail;

Sable is another object of hunting due to valuable fur, whose flexible body can reach a length of 58 centimeters and weigh up to 1.8 kg;
. wolverine - differs from representatives of the mustelid family by its massive and larger body, exceeding a meter in length and weighing up to 18 kg;

Highland mammals

The highlands of the region are expressed in the western part by the Barguzinsky and Khamar-Daban ridges, and in the northern end by the Stanovoi Highlands. Based on the harsh conditions and poor food supply prevailing in this territorial zone, the fauna here is represented by a few ungulates and rodents.

The following people mainly live on the mountain slopes:

Reindeer are a short-legged species with luxurious antlers crowning the heads of both males and females. Growing up to two meters in length and weighing about 190 kg;

Bighorn sheep - distinctive feature which is served by thick horns reaching a meter in length. Male bighorn sheep grow up to 105 centimeters at the withers and reach a weight of about 140 kg;
. the Asian chipmunk is a small animal belonging to the terrestrial squirrel family, reaching a length of 27 centimeters and weighing no more than 125 grams;

The marmot (black-capped) is a rodent that differs from its family in its larger build, reaching six and a half kilograms and a length reaching up to 60 centimeters;

Some predators wander onto these slopes in search of food, this is the ubiquitous wolf, Brown bear and ermine.
Unfortunately, many animals of this region adorn the pages of the Red Book.

Thanks to the works of these and other researchers, by the beginning of the twentieth century. faunal lists were clarified, species new to science, their distribution and economic significance were described.

In the 20th century A network of research institutions is being created to systematically study the fauna of the region. Currently, the main centers of zoological research in the Chita region are the Institute natural resources, ecology and cryology (), Sokhondinsky and nature reserves, Chita anti-plague station , Chita Regional Museum of Local Lore .

A large area, complex terrain, the presence of a global watershed, and location at the junction of various natural zones have determined the diversity of the fauna of the Chita region. Here you can meet inhabitants of various natural zones: steppe, forest-steppe, various types forests and alpine tundra. The composition of the animal world is influenced by a number of faunas: European-Siberian, mountainous East Siberian (Angarsk), Daurian-Mongolian, there are elements of Manchurian and even Chinese-Himalayan. On the one hand, Transbaikalia was inhabited by species of northern origin: Amur lemming, elk, hare, snowy owl, ptarmigan, taimen , grayling , ; on the other - southern steppe species: Mongolian marmot, Daurian, steppe ferret, , , Mongolian foot-and-mouth disease (lizards), Mongolian. Representatives of the Far Eastern fauna penetrated the river valleys of the Amur basin: Amur tiger, mandarin duck, black mallard, Far Eastern, , . Alpine fauna is represented by bighorn sheep , black-capped marmot etc.

From the west, Transbaikalia was inhabited by species of European-Siberian fauna - wild boar, Siberian lizard, viviparous lizard. There are significant differences between the species composition of the fauna of Transbaikalia and more western regions, partly due to the influence of the lake. Baikal and adjacent ridges. It is here that the western border of the distribution of some Transbaikal species passes. Within similar biotopes they can occur different types animals. Thus, in the eastern regions of Transbaikalia there are more inhabitants of the Far Eastern fauna, in the southern regions there are more Mongolian fauna.

IN different years the introduction (artificial settlement) of some mainly commercial animal species was also carried out, such as the brown hare, American hare, white and bighead carp, , etc.

In the Chita region. there are five main types of fauna characteristic of natural complexes Transbaikalia: highlands, taiga, forest-steppe, steppe and reservoirs.

Animals of the highlands. Animal world highlands are characterized by a poor species composition, which is explained by the harsh climatic conditions. The scarcity of food supply led to the dominance of rodents and ungulates. The inhabitants of the high-mountain tundra are reindeer and bighorn sheep, and the numbers of these species are small. Of the small mammals, the most typical is the alpine pika, which inhabits stone placers. In thickets of dwarf cedar (see Stlantsy) the Asian species is common. In the north of Transbaikalia (Kodar and Udokan ranges), the black-capped marmot is occasionally found (see Marmots). A few species of predators are represented by , , . The species composition of birds is not rich. In the highlands you can find tundra partridge (see), horned lark, mountain pipit, mountain wagtail, nutcracker. Low temperatures prevent the penetration of amphibians and reptiles into the Transbaikal highlands. The fish fauna is represented by cold-loving species: , taimen, grayling, whitefish are found in the deep-water lakes of the north of Transbaikalia. Davatchan, a special subspecies of Arctic char, is endemic to the Northern Transbaikalia and is under protection.

The species composition of insects is specific; small and dark-colored forms predominate, which allows them to survive in conditions of low temperatures and short summers. Among the beetles, rove beetles and pillbugs predominate. Daytime butterflies are represented mainly by mountain species of pearlworts (see), and jaundices (see). Diptera are numerous: mosquitoes (see), horseflies, midges, combined popular name"vile".

Animals of the taiga. The taiga zone occupies a significant part of the region's territory, largely determining the uniqueness of the animal world. The poverty of the fauna of the northern regions of the taiga is associated with the monotony of landscapes, more severe climatic conditions, and an insufficient food supply for many species of animals. The southern taiga has the richest fauna. This is largely due to the presence of several layers in the forest canopy. Some of the inhabitants of the taiga move into the underlying tiers, where they can find food, for example, seeds of the Siberian pine trees(cedar), the harvest of which in some years can be significant. The fauna of the pine forest is especially diverse because pine nuts serve as important food for many species of mammals and birds. Among mammals, the most common are representatives of the orders of ungulates, rodents and carnivores. A typical inhabitant of the Siberian taiga is the eastern subspecies of red deer () - one of the objects of hunting. In addition, young deer antlers (antlers), used in medicine, are valued. The largest inhabitant of the taiga is the elk. The weight of large males reaches 570 kg. The number of moose is highest in flat areas, near the shores of standing reservoirs, swamps, and lakes, where they can eat aquatic vegetation.

Winters with little snow allow species such as the Siberian roe deer to enter the forest zone from the forest-steppe. In the southern regions of the taiga it is widespread, especially characteristic of cedar forests and mixed forests. The smallest ungulate is, its weight does not exceed 8-10 kg. Typically, musk deer prefer steep rocky slopes, where they hide from predators and find food (lichens). Musk deer are an important target of fishing, including poaching, because of the so-called “musk deer stream” - the musk gland of males, used in perfumery and oriental medicine. Among lagomorphs, the white hare is widespread in the taiga, and the northern pika is found on rocky slopes. The most numerous object of the fur trade is the squirrel, and its numbers can increase significantly in some years. Among rodents, the most typical inhabitants of the taiga are the Asian chipmunk, the red, red-gray and Ungur, East Asian forest chipmunk. The abundance of small rodents favors the reproduction of sable, one of the most valuable inhabitants of the taiga. Sable is most numerous in cedar forests. The mustelid family (except sable) is represented by ermine, weasel, and weasel. Found everywhere (but rarely).

The owner of the taiga is considered to be the brown bear, which prefers places rich in berries and pine nuts.

One of the important species that regulates the number of large mammals, especially ungulates, is the wolf, which is widespread in the taiga zone. The number of wolves must be constantly monitored, since during mass reproduction it can cause significant damage agriculture. It is more common among cats, preferring sparse dark areas coniferous taiga.

The species composition of taiga birds is not rich. The most widely represented species are grouse, woodpeckers, corvids and raptors. It is common among grouse, living in pine and cedar forests with undergrowth. Widely distributed, which are often found along the banks of rivers and streams where there are berry fields. In the northern regions of the taiga, white partridge is found. Grouse are common in forest clearings, edges, and burnt areas. A characteristic bird of the coniferous taiga is the nutcracker, famous for the fact that by storing seeds (nuts), it contributes to the regeneration of the Siberian cedar. Owls and eagle owls are quite widespread. The most common of birds of prey goshawk .

Reptiles in the taiga are few in number; the common and viviparous lizards are noted.

Among xylophages that feed on wood, the most important have numerous species of woodcutting beetles (black longhorned beetles, leptura, vale, etc.) and bark beetles.

Gall formers are common in the forest zone, among which gall midges predominate. The chemical action of an insect or its larva leads to the growth of plant tissue. The resulting gall provides the larva with food and at the same time serves as a refuge from enemies.

Larvae of some small species insects are able to settle in the tissues of leaves or needles, feeding on their contents. At the same time, a light winding trace (“mine”) is noticeable on the surface of the leaf, at one end of which you can see a larva—“miner.”

Important component forest ecosystems- ants, especially those belonging to the forest genus - formica. Ants make up a significant part of the biomass of taiga ecosystems and regulate the numbers of many invertebrate species. Among the others important functions ants - loosening the soil and enriching it with organic and mineral components, destroying wood, dispersing seeds of some plant species. Bloodsuckers are common and numerous in the forest zone - horseflies, mosquitoes, midges, biting midges, and bloodsucking flies. Among the arachnids of the taiga, ticks of the ixodid family are common. Some of their species are not only carriers, but also reservoirs of pathogens of a number of dangerous human diseases. The taiga tick, a carrier of the causative agent of spring-summer encephalitis, and species of the genus Dermacentor, carriers of tularemia, tick-borne typhus and brucellosis, are widespread. Interesting feature Trans-Baikal forests - the penetration into this zone of more southern steppe species of insect origin: some species of butterflies - white butterflies and marigolds, as well as locusts.

Fauna of the forest-steppe and steppe zones. In Transbaikalia, the Siberian taiga and the Mongolian steppes touch and penetrate far into each other, which largely determines the uniqueness of the animal world. Characteristics natural complexes - their very high dynamism and instability. During the alternation of dry and wet climatic periods, the habitats of animals change radically. Steppe lakes either fill up or dry up, and in their place bare saline areas are formed. Accordingly, the vegetation and animal population change almost completely. Rodents and ungulates find the most optimal conditions in the forest-steppe. Among rodents, the most common are long-tailed and Daurian ground squirrels, Djungarian and Daurian hamsters, and Brandt's vole. The jumping jerboa is found in the south of the zone. An interesting specialized species is the Daurian zokor, which leads an underground lifestyle. The largest species of rodent is the Mongolian marmot (tarbagan), previously widespread in steppe zone. In recent decades, due to poaching, the number of this interesting looking decreased sharply. A very rare species of the steppes is the Daurian hedgehog, which belongs to the order of insectivores. The hares have adapted well to life in the steppes. tolay and the related Daurian pika (order of lagomorphs). A characteristic forest-steppe species is the Siberian roe deer, which nowadays, due to intensive fishing, prefers to stick to forest stakes and pine forests. A typical steppe species is the gazelle antelope, which not so long ago was widespread throughout the steppe zone, but now periodically enters the Chita region. from the steppes of Mongolia.

The famous scientist P. S. Pallas during a trip to the South. Transbaikalia noted encounters of such species of ungulates as the wild ass and the argali sheep. A very rare steppe cat, the manul, lives in the rocks, leading a secretive lifestyle. Of the predators, wolves are of greatest practical importance, the number of which increased significantly in the 1990s. A valuable fur-bearing animal in the forest-steppe is the fox, and in the steppe it is the corsac dog. In the southern steppe regions of the region, the steppe polecat settles in the burrows of the tarbagan.

During wet periods within the Torey Basin in the Southeast. Transbaikalia forms more than 1,500 medium and small lakes; tens of thousands of waterfowl and shorebirds, and during the migration period millions of birds stop to rest. During dry climatic periods, the number of waterfowl and semi-aquatic birds in the region sharply decreases, but the number of some semi-desert species, such as the Mongolian groundbird, increases.

Among the most common bird predators are the long-legged buzzard and the buzzard. common, steppe kestrel, very rarely - steppe eagle (see). Among the crane-like species there are the crane- and gray crane, the Daurian is more rare. Black (monk) and white (Siberian crane) cranes are observed on migration, young individuals of which can stay on steppe lakes throughout the summer. A large endangered species of the crane-like order -. Skylarks, lesser larks, gray larks and Mongolian larks are widespread and numerous. Quails are occasionally seen. Daurian partridge is of commercial importance. Reptiles are rare and are usually represented by the copperhead Pallas and Mongolian foot-and-mouth disease.

The insect fauna of the steppe and forest-steppe is quite rich - these include both open-living species and those living in the soil and grass litter.

The basis of steppe biocenoses is herbaceous vegetation, which determines the abundance of leaf-eating insect species. In the steppe there are numerous locusts, beetles, butterfly caterpillars, and sawfly larvae. Among Lepidoptera, representatives of many families of diurnal butterflies, such as nymphalids, , are common. Of the large and brightly colored species, butterflies of the family stand out: nomion - a typically steppe species of the Daurian-Mongolian fauna and the swallowtail, widespread in all biotopes, including steppe ones. Among the leaf beetles there are numerous small and often brightly colored species of crypted beetles.

Actively flying insects are represented in the steppe except Lepidoptera various types dragonflies, mosquitoes, biting midges that fly far into the steppe from water bodies (places where larvae develop). Dragonflies and predatory blackbird flies occupy a niche among invertebrates as large daytime predators that hunt in flight.

The abundance of flowering plants in the mixed-grass steppe attracts many pollinators: Hymenoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, and Coleoptera.

The soil entomofauna is represented by numerous species of predatory and herbivorous ground beetles, darkling beetles, and their larvae. The underground parts of plants are damaged by the larvae of some beetles and root beetles. The usual inhabitants of the upper soil layer are formicas, myrmicas, etc. During the dry season of the year, this can be observed interesting phenomenon How summer period peace. At this time, under stones and cakes of dried manure hide not only typical soil inhabitants (ants, darkling beetles, ground beetles), but also leaf beetles, longhorned beetles, other insects, etc.

Fauna of reservoirs. Chita region has a significant fund of rivers and lakes that are of fishery importance and allow for the rational use of the raw materials of reservoirs.

The diversity and originality of the composition of the ichthyofauna of Transbaikalia is due to the location of this territory on the watershed of three large basins - Baikal, Lena and Amur.

Ichthyofauna of the Upper basin. Amur is represented by 40 species of fish, which belong to 13 families. Its modern appearance was formed already in the middle of the Quaternary period. It is of a mixed nature, since, in terms of their origin and biological characteristics, the species composing it belong to six different faunal complexes.

The boreal-plain complex is represented by Amur pike, Amur chebak, silver crucian carp, Amur sturgeon, lake minnow, common Amur gudgeon, and spined loach. The fish of this complex mainly live in the thickets of floodplain reservoirs and river beds. All of them can withstand significant fluctuations in oxygen in the water; by the nature of their diet, they are benthophagous, i.e. feed on bottom organisms. Amur chebak is a widespread species of the Top. Amur and is confined mainly to large rivers - Shilka, Arguni, Onon, Ingoda. Numerous in lakes Kenon, Nikolaevskoye, Arey. It feeds on vegetation, so it is the main consumer of this food. One of the most valuable fish of the Amur is, however, at present it is a small species that needs protection.

The boreal-foothill complex includes taimen , , grayling, , , Amur broadhead, spotted sculpin. These species are adapted to life in rivers with fast current, clear water, rich in oxygen, with a rocky bottom. By the nature of their diet, most of them are benthophages and consumers of aerial insects. Spawning occurs in spring at low temperatures.

The ancient Upper Tertiary complex includes the Amur flathead asp, kaluga, carp, Amur catfish, lamprey, minnow, and Amur loach. The latter is adapted to life in bodies of water with a small amount of oxygen, since it has additional respiratory organs. A number of species (kaluga, Amur catfish, flat-headed asp) are predators, others feed on benthos. Kaluga is an endemic of the Amur ichthyofauna. In Transbaikalia it is found in Shilka, Arguni, and the lower reaches of the Onon. It lives in the deepest places of river channels. Does not make large migrations. There are only isolated reports of the capture of kaluga. Feeds on young guar horses and chebak , minnow Reaches sexual maturity at 16-17 years of age.

The Chinese faunal complex includes the grouse horse, the Amur chebak, the chebak-shaped gudgeon, the Khanka gudgeon and the eight-whiskered gudgeon. These species are very demanding on the presence of oxygen in water, therefore they live in river beds and only when the water level rises, they enter floodplain reservoirs. Spawning time is late spring and summer, when water temperatures rise significantly. The fish are small in size, except for the guar horse.

The Indian complex is represented by one family - killer whales. Representatives of this family are characteristic of the ichthyofauna of India, China and other Southeast countries. Asia. On the territory of the Chita region. their distribution is limited to the Shilka, Argun, and Onon basins. Transbaikalia is the most northern section range of the family.

The Arctic complex has only two species - burbot and whitefish, which prefer waters saturated with oxygen. The only representative of the cod family, burbot, is a predator and partly eats benthos.

A serious problem has become the depletion of the species composition of fish living in reservoirs. The endemics of the Amur basin (kaluga, Amur sturgeon, whitefish) have practically disappeared. The number of valuable fish species (taimen, lenok, grayling) has decreased. Guar horse, Amur catfish and carp have become rare.

The watercourses of the Chikoya and Khilka basins belong to the mountain and foothill types and are characterized by a rather poor and uniform composition of ichthyofauna - 5-15 species, among which salmon, grayling and carp predominate.

Features of the mountain fish community of the river. Chikoy has a very large share of salmon and grayling (84%) in the total ichthyomass. Lenok predominates (50%). Black Baikal grayling, Baikal whitefish and perch are also found here. Five species of fish in the Baikal basin are officially listed as endangered, therefore populations of lenok, grayling, whitefish, monitoring of which is possible on the Chikoy and Khilok rivers, should be used as indicators of the state of well-being or degradation of aquatic ecosystems.

The biosphere and economic significance of the reservoirs of the north of Transbaikalia is very significant. Due to the intensive economic development of the territory, significant changes have occurred in the composition of the fish fauna: there has been a decrease in the number of valuable fish species, a decrease in growth rates and fertility.

There are 442 fresh lakes in the region. They are located mainly in groups in large river basins or confined to tectonic depressions. Deep-water lakes Bol. and Mal. Leprindo, Leprindokan, Davatchan, Nichatka are characterized by low productivity and low temperatures. Grayling, whitefish, lenok, burbot, as well as the rare relict species Arctic char, or davatchan, live here. All lakes of the Chkalov and Ivano-Arakhlei groups are inhabited by perch, crucian carp, and roach. In lakes Arakhley, Shaksha, and Ivan, pike is also common, and non-commercial species include spined loach and minnows. The fish of the Torey lakes are mainly represented by silver carp and loach. However, the water regime of these lakes is unstable, and they are not of great fishery importance.

The invertebrate fauna in the rivers and lakes of the region is rich and diverse. Benthos (bottom inhabitants) of the rivers of the Upper Amur basin, Chikoya and Khilka are represented mainly by the larvae of caddisflies, mayflies, stoneflies, midges, horseflies, beetles, and mosquitoes. These mass species Most fish eat invertebrates. The lakes of the Ivano-Arakhlei group are inhabited by bottom animals that are widespread in fresh water bodies. In met the following groups: oligochaete worms (oligochaetes), leeches, mollusks, crustaceans, bedbugs, larvae of chironomid mosquitoes, mayflies, caddis flies, dragonflies, beetles, water beetles, lepidoptera (more than 100 species in total). The zoobenthos of many lakes is dominated by chironomids and mollusks. The greatest species diversity of chironomids (50 species) was noted in Lake. . Basically, they are characteristic of all lakes, but each body of water is characterized by a specific combination of dominant species. Being the main filter feeders in water bodies, zooplankton organisms play a huge role in the self-purification of water. Many species of animals living in Transbaikalia need protection. Thus, 25 species of mammals, 57 of birds, 4 of reptiles, 1 of amphibians, 7 of fish, 2 of mollusks, 68 of insects are included in the Red Book of the Chita Region and the Aginsky Buryat Autonomous Okrug. The distribution of some of them is shown on the map rare species animals.

Lit.: Pavlov E. I. Birds and animals of the Chita region. Chita, 1948; aka. Game animals of the Chita region. Chita, 1949; aka. Notes of a naturalist from observations of seasonal natural phenomena in the Chita region. Chita, 1959; Geller S. Yu., Grebenshchikov O. S., Dzerdzeevsky O. S. and others. Cisbaikalia and Transbaikalia. - M., 1965; Izmailov I. V. Birds of the Vitim Plateau. Ulan-Ude, 1967; Kurentsov A. I. Entomofauna of mountain areas Far East THE USSR. M., 1967; Kurentsov A. I. Club-bearded Lepidoptera of the Far East of the USSR. L., 1970; Izmailov I. V., Borovitskaya G. K. Birds of southwestern Transbaikalia. Vladimir, 1973; Kuznetsov B. A. Key to vertebrate animals of the fauna of the USSR. M., vol. 1, 1974; vol.2, 1974; vol.3, 1975; Shkatulova A. P., Karasev G. L., Khundanov L. E. Amphibians and reptiles of Transbaikalia. Ulan-Ude, 1978; Catalog of mammals of the USSR. L., 1981; Red Book of the USSR (edited by A. M. Borodin, A. G. Bannikov and others). M., 1984; Red Book of the RSFSR (edited by A. G. Bannikov, R. L. Boehme and others). M., 1985; Zatravkin M. N., Bogatov V. V. Large bivalves fresh and brackish waters of the Far East of the USSR. Vladivostok, 1987; Karasev G. L. Fishes of Transbaikalia. Novosibirsk, 1987; Afonin A. V., Vakhrusheva Z. P., Vershinin N. M., Isakova T. T., Kardash A. I., Korsun O. V., Krivenkova I. F., Markova L. P., Mironova V. . E., Nazarova E. I., Ogorodnikova L. I., Romanova N. G., Sklyarova L. P., Khamaganov S. A. Fauna of Eastern Transbaikalia. Tutorial. - Chita, 1997.

Completed by: student 2 “G” of class secondary school No. 22, Chita Burdinskaya Natalia Supervisor: Plashchevataya Evgenia Aleksandrovna “Endangered animals of Transbaikalia”

The world's list of endangered species is growing at an alarming and unprecedented rate, while governments are paying less attention to conservation, environmentalists say. In the next 50 years, over 30 percent of existing animal and plant species will disappear from the face of the Earth. Introduction

The distribution range of the red wolf is quite wide: in the mountains from the Pamirs to the Far East, but it is very rare everywhere. Animal small size, but quite tall-legged. Body length up to 110cm, tail up to 50cm. The muzzle is short, the tail is bushy. The color is reddish, darker on the head. Red Wolf

Second title snow leopard-irbis. The snow leopard can be found in the South-Eastern Transbaikalia, Altai, Kyrgyzstan, and the Western and Central Sayan Mountains. The length of the snow leopard is 1-1.3 m, the tail is 0.8-1 m, and the body weight is up to 40 kg. The main coat color is light gray. Snow Leopard

The otter's distribution range covers all of Europe, Asia to Java and North Africa. In the Trans-Baikal Territory it is rare in the basins of almost all large rivers, except for their sections located in the steppe zone. A large marten is the size of an average dog, weighing approximately 10-15 kg. Body length is approximately 80-90cm, tail up to 50cm. Limbs are short. Color brown. The otter swims and dives well. It feeds on fish, amphibious birds and small mammals. Otter

At the beginning of the last century, a large population of marmots lived in the southeast of Transbaikalia, and industrial procurement of the skins of this animal was carried out. The high rate of production caused a sharp drop in the marmot population. There are 2 species of marmots living in Transbaikalia: the tarbagan and the black-capped marmot. Marmots are relatively large rodents, body length 30-60cm, tail 10-25cm. The life expectancy of a marmot is 8-9 years. Marmots live in families. The family uses one burrow system. Marmot

Sapsan is predatory bird from the falcon family, distributed on all continents except Antarctica. The peregrine falcon is the fastest bird on earth, reaching speeds of over 32 km per hour. The length is 35-50cm, the wingspan is 80-120cm. The peregrine falcon feeds on birds of medium and small sizes, sometimes hunts small medium-sized mammals such as bat, hare, squirrel. Peregrine Falcon

The Mongolian saker falcon is common in Southern Transbaikalia. Most individuals are migratory and roam over fairly long distances. The wing of Saker Falcons is on average 360 ​​cm. Individual color variations are significant. In Transbaikalia, the feeding regime of saker falcons consists of gophers, pikas, young marmots, hares and various birds. It nests infrequently in Transbaikalia due to a lack of nesting sites. Saker Falcon

The Daurian hedgehog inhabits Southern and Central Transbaikalia. This type small in size with short needles. Body length 19-9cm, weight 600-1400g. Its diet consists of insects and invertebrates; it also eats toads, snakes, bird eggs, and carrion. There is no exact information on the number of Daurian hedgehogs. A sharp decline in hedgehogs occurred after 1964, this is due to the destruction of the tarbagan colonies, in whose dwellings the hedgehogs spent the winter. Daurian hedgehog

This species is distributed throughout Western Transbaikalia. The bird is larger than a goose, its body length is 1 m. The color is black with a metallic sheen. The beak, throat and legs are bright red. Storks nest in hard-to-reach places. The nest is a structure made of twigs, branches, clay and turf. There are usually 3-5 eggs in a clutch. The stork feeds on marsh plants, fish, frogs, tadpoles, and insects. Birds are found in family groups of 3-5 individuals. Black stork

In our region it lives in the South-East of Transbaikalia. Mainly lives on plains with gentle slopes of hills. The gazelle is a small, light antelope. Height at withers 60-80cm, weight 30kg. The color is sandy grey. They can reach speeds of up to 70-80 km/h. Dzeren eat dozens of types of herbs, leaves and shoots of shrubs. Dzeren are herd animals. These are migratory animals. Dzeren

The Kodar form of the ram lives in Transbaikalia. This is a large animal with a massive body, short and strong legs. The color is dominated by light brown and gray-brown tones. Body length of males is 165-171, females 139-144 cm. The range covers the systems of Northeast Asia. The Kodar sheep is common in the north of the Trans-Baikal Territory. They eat mainly herbaceous plants, mushrooms, lichens and mosses. They usually live in groups of 2-7 individuals. Bighorn sheep

Since man is one of the primary reasons for the extinction of many animal species, he must accordingly take care of the preservation of endangered populations. The government should allocate money for the implementation of programs for the conservation of animals listed in the Red Book. Conclusion

Thank you for attention