Stone steppe flora and fauna. Stone Steppe, state nature reserve

Due to the plowing of primary virgin lands, deforestation, unregulated grazing on the remaining steppe areas, the destruction of animals and birds led to the shallowing of rivers, the removal of soil along with snow by winter winds, the emergence of hot dry winds in summer, and the death of crops.

Natural conditions of the Stone Steppe

Geographical position

The Kamennaya Steppe is located east of the center of the Voronezh region, on the watershed of two rivers - Bityuga and Khopra, which are left tributaries of the Don. There are two interpretations of the Stone Steppe, a broad and a narrow sense. Thus, Professor N. Severtsov, a supporter of a broad interpretation, understood the Kamennaya Steppe as the entire watershed between the Bityug and Khopr rivers. Prof. A. M. Pankov included the south of the Bobrovsky and western Novokhopersky districts of the Voronezh region into the territory of the Kamennaya Steppe. In a narrow interpretation, the Kamennaya Steppe refers to the steppe territories that lie south of Talovaya station and South-East. railway in the Bobrovsky district of the Voronezh region on the watershed of the Talovaya and N. Chigla (Chigolka) rivers.

Geological structure

The Stone Steppe can be divided into two halves - eastern and western. Eastern half characterized by a thick, highly elevated occurrence of chalk strata and a constant, little changed layer of boulder clay, the upper brown-yellow horizon of which does not contain boulders and serves as the parent rock for the soils. The western half is hollow-deep and filled with tertiary rocks; the moraine deposits here are reworked by water and replaced by ancient deluvial red-brown boulder-free clay; The parent rock for the soil here is boulder-free loam.

Relief and hydrography

The highest heights of 214-216 m above sea level of the Stone Steppe are located in the eastern part, where the chalk layer forms an elevation. To the east of the watershed of the Talovaya and N. Chigla (Chigolka) rivers, a short and steep slope is formed, ending in the Talovaya gully, while the heights drop from 216 to 160 m. westward, forming a gentle and long slope, and over a period of more than 15 kilometers the heights gradually drop to 136 meters at the Ozerki gully. In addition, the Stone Steppe is surrounded by two hills: the watershed of the Khopr and Don in the east and the Pridonskaya Upland in the southwest. It is open from the north and north-west directions. This relief contributes to good ventilation of the Stone Steppe. In connection with this relief, there is a corresponding location of the hydrographic network of the Kamennaya Steppe. It is represented by two small rivers: Talovaya and N. Chigla, ponds, and groundwater.

Soils

Ordinary chernozems were identified, corresponding to medium-humus and medium-thick formations, leached chernozems, in which the boiling level is somewhat lower than the humus horizon, and solonetzic chernozems. In terms of area, the largest area in the Kamennaya Steppe is occupied by typical medium-thick chernozem, which is mainly confined to the flatland type of terrain. Also on this type of terrain there is ordinary chernozem. These two types of soil account for 80% of the territory. On the slopes there is ordinary chernozem, weakly and moderately washed away. These soils account for 5% of the territory. The remaining types of soils occupy a small part of the Stone Steppe; their location is related to the microrelief and level of moisture in the given territory. The thickness of normal chernozem soils, depending on the topography, ranges from 50 to 80-90 cm; rocky and washed-out soils have little thickness; salt marshes, especially those of an alluvial nature, are sometimes distinguished by significant thickness.

Climate

1. Temperature. Characterized by large fluctuations. In winter up to -30°C. In summer up to +40°C. The sharpest temperature fluctuations occur in May, when frosts reach almost -10°C. This affects the temperature on the soil surface even more sharply.
2. Precipitation. The cultural transformation of the Stone Steppe led to an increase in the humidity regime in the territory and, as a result, an increase in the amount of precipitation (mm/g). So from 1928 to 1978. they averaged 460 mm\g, and for the period from 1929-2007 already 484 mm\g. Within the year, precipitation moved to the autumn-winter period (there are no vegetative plants). Years with abnormal precipitation have become more frequent. For example, in 2005, 683 mm\g fell; in 2006 - 610 mm\g. Solid precipitation observed mainly in winter. Snow cover in Kam. The steppe is usually established in November, less often in early December; The snow melts at the end of March or at the beginning of April. Gullies, slopes, forests, and lonely bushes are the main collectors of snow reserves.
3. Wind mode. The stone steppe, due to its eastern position and relatively flat open topography, is a territory highly exposed to winds. However, the presence of forest belts contributes to a significant weakening of wind speed (30-40%).

Flora and fauna

Forest belts up to 25 meters high are multi-tiered ecosystems. The upper tier consists of oak, maple, ash; under their canopy there is a linden, apple, and pear tree; even lower - hazel, bird cherry, acacia. Near the ground there is undergrowth of trees and shrubs - euonymus, honeysuckle, buckthorn. The oak tree does not sow itself here. If you do not plant it artificially, after some time the maple will take the place of the oak. Although maple is a good tree for forest reclamation... At the same time, among the dozens and hundreds of local forest belts, no two are alike. Each represents a different science experiment. Forest belts vary in width, exposure, species composition and other features.

The colonization of forest belts by birds began immediately after the planting of the forest belts and continued for 50-60 years after their creation, which is why their numbers stabilized. Today, about 150 species of birds are found, and more than 100 species of birds nest (including: lark, gray heron, woodpecker, hawk, goshawk). Up to 30 species of mammals live here (including: wild boar, roe deer, badger, fox, marten, ferret, hare, hedgehog, hamster). The forest belts, together with the later planted forest belts of the surrounding farms, became a “bridge” between the original forest areas- Shipovy forest and Khrenovsky pine forest, thereby expanding the living spaces for living animals. The mole also made its contribution to increasing the fertility of chernozems by mixing the soil, improving its water-physical properties and giving it the necessary structure. It was about such land that V.V. Dokuchaev wrote: “Chernozem for Russia is more expensive than any oil, any coal, more expensive than gold and iron ores. It contains eternal Russian wealth.”

According to scientists, the first settlements in this territory appeared in the 18th century. Before this, the place was completely free and untouched by people.

In the 19th century in the current territory Stone steppe (Voronezh region) began massive deforestation, fishing and destruction of animals. As a result of such destructive actions, the land became infertile, and both rivers dried up.

Drought and famine then hit all the villages that were nearby. Since then the name arose Stone steppe.

Scientists led by V.V. could not allow the complete destruction of the territory. Dokuchaev. Beginning in 1892, they took on the work that saved Stone steppe. Voronezh region I was again able to be proud of the beauty of my lands. Scientists have planted several forest belts along ravines and rivers. The creation of deposits was organized. These are, in fact, those plowed parts that should subsequently turn into fertile fields.

In 1996 Stone steppe of Talovsky district, Voronezh region received the status of a federal nature reserve.

Thousands of people come here every year to enjoy the clean air and incredible natural scenery of this place. Here you can meet dozens of various types animals, hundreds of different birds. More than 800 species of various plants grow beautifully in the reserve. Stone steppe (Talovaya) can be proud of numerous valuable objects, including the Khorolskaya Balka, the Dokuchaev Sea and others.

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Stone steppe

The Stone Steppe is a nature reserve covering an area of ​​5232.00 hectares. It is located in the Voronezh region in the Talovsky district on the watershed of two rivers called Bityuga and Khopra.
The first settlers on this territory appeared at the beginning of the 18th century. At that time there was an untouched steppe, partially occupied by forest belts. TO end of the 19th century century, due to deforestation, destruction of animals, plowing of virgin lands and grazing of livestock, the rivers became shallow, the land became barren, the climate changed: in summer - severe drought and dry winds, in winter - severe snowstorms. As a result, the peasants' fields burned to the ground in the summer. In those years, due to droughts, famine began, taking thousands of lives to their graves. It was then that the steppe was nicknamed Kamennaya by the people.

In 1892, its restoration began thanks to scientists led by V.V. Dokuchaev. They proposed planting forest belts along fields, ravines and ravines, as well as along river banks; a system of artificial ponds was created to mitigate the climate. In 1885, the organization of deposits began. What is a deposit? This is a plowed plot of land (arable land), which was previously used, but then for several years, starting in the fall, was not cultivated or used for sowing crops to restore its fertility.

Since 1912, the deposits of the reserve have been in an untouched state for viewing the dynamics of vegetation growth. And since 1996, the Kamennaya Steppe received the status of a state nature reserve of federal significance.

Currently the reserve is clean ponds, fields bordered by forest belts and deposits untouched for more than a hundred years. Dozens of different animals, hundreds of bird species, and more than 800 species of different plants live here, not counting those planted by people. Valuable natural objects and attractions are: the landscape complex “Khorolskaya Balka”, the landscape complex “Sukhoprudnaya Balka”, the upper reservoir (Dokuchaevskoe Sea), the system of old-growth Dokuchaevsky forest belts and the colony of marmots - boibaks.

Hotels near the attraction "Kamennaya Steppe Nature Reserve":

The Stone Steppe is a nature reserve covering an area of ​​5232.00 hectares. It is located in the Voronezh region in the Talovsky district on the watershed of two rivers called Bityuga and Khopra.

The first settlers on this territory appeared at the beginning of the 18th century. At that time there was an untouched steppe, partially occupied by forest belts. By the end of the 19th century, due to deforestation, destruction of animals, plowing of virgin lands and grazing of livestock, the rivers became shallow, the land became barren, and the climate changed: in summer there was severe drought and dry winds, in winter there were strong snowstorms. As a result, the peasants' fields burned to the ground in the summer. In those years, due to droughts, famine began, taking thousands of lives to their graves. It was then that the steppe was nicknamed Kamennaya by the people.

In 1892, its restoration began thanks to scientists led by V.V. Dokuchaev. They proposed planting forest belts along fields, ravines and ravines, as well as along river banks; a system of artificial ponds was created to mitigate the climate. In 1885, the organization of deposits began. What is a deposit? This is a plowed plot of land (arable land), which was previously used, but then for several years, starting in the fall, was not cultivated or used for sowing crops to restore its fertility.

Since 1912, the deposits of the reserve have been in an untouched state for viewing the dynamics of vegetation growth. And since 1996, the Kamennaya Steppe received the status of a state nature reserve of federal significance.

Currently, the reserve consists of clean ponds, fields bordered by forest belts and deposits untouched for more than a hundred years. Dozens of different animals, hundreds of bird species, and more than 800 species of different plants live here, not counting those planted by people. Valuable natural objects and attractions are: the landscape complex “Khorolskaya Balka”, the landscape complex “Sukhoprudnaya Balka”, the upper reservoir (Dokuchaevskoe Sea), the system of old-growth Dokuchaevsky forest belts and the colony of marmots - boibaks.

Sights of Voronezh