The Meshchera Natural Reserve [antikvár]

flnjIOflbl KajIHHbl Viburnum berriesEaSoMKa naBjiMHwii rjias Peacock's eye butterflyThe Oka State Reserve was set up in 1935 in Central European part of the USSR to ensure nature protection in an area typical of the vast Meshchera Lowland (the Lowland's total area is 23,000 sq km), which lies several scores of kilometres northeast of Moscow stretching over the territory of Moscow, Vladimir and Ryazan regions. The reserve's nature is very typical of the whole locality, overgrown mostly with birch groves and pine woods and occasionally interspersed with lime and maple groves, with oak groves predominating along the numerous lake shores and river banks. Most of the woods here are boggy and in spring up to 60 per cent of the reserve's area is inundated by water from the thawed snow. Its wildlife is typical of the Soviet Union's central part, but the animals' numbers are far greater here than in the neighbouring areas. Elks, beavers, foxes, hares, squirrels, martens and ermines thrive in the reserve. You will see otters and minks near the water here, abounding in ducks, and wood-grouze and hazel-grouze in the wood. Rare animals written down in the Red Book of nature protection are to be found here, too, such as desman and the birds of prey such as short-toed eagle, white-tailed eagle, osprey, and saker falcon. In the virgin wood you will come across a variety of wild-growing orchid called Venus' shoe, and in the water you will see water chestnut and floating salvinia fern. The scientific staff of the reserve carry on research into natural complexes as well as some plant varieties and wildlife and insect species through observation and banding of birds, etc., in order to find optimal methods of preserving nature and putting it to use. The Central Ornithological Station, functioning in the reserve, carries on research into bird migration and orientation. There-serve's Biological Survey Group is engaged in studies of sport hunting in the USSR's European part. Rare crane species and pure-bred auroch nurseries have been set up in the reserve. In the past few years a centre for breeding rare wildlife such as bisons, cranes and birds of prey has been set up here. In order to release them later on to live in their natural habitat. That is the way the problem of nature protection and restoration of natural resources is solved in this country.