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 circumnavigated Severny Island from its northern part and spent the winter on its eastern shores in 1596. And now, on June 15, 2009, it was organized Russian Arctic National Park.

National Park is one of the youngest protected areas in Russian Federation. In December 2010 Russian Arctic Park was replenished as a state nature reserve of federal significance "Franz Josef Land"− the northernmost land area of Eurasia.

General information, relief and climate of the Russian Arctic National Park

Russian Arctic National Park 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 land and 7,940 square kilometers of waters of the territorial waters of the Russian Federation. Ice of continental origin covers more than 85% of the islands' surface.

The park is dominated by polar-arctic climate, which is characterized by temperatures close to zero or negative values annual radiation balance. Summer is cold and short, lasting from June to August. Winter, on the contrary, is harsh 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.

Russian Arctic National Park and its vegetation

The protected area contains unique, almost untouched ecosystems. Vegetable world represented by some species lichens, mosses, as well as a small number of flowering plants.

Russian Arctic National Park and its fauna

The animal world is rich and diverse. The Arctic waters are inhabited throughout the year bowhead whale and narwhal. Large flocks of birds nest on steep and high capes, thereby forming bird colonies. 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 breeding and habitat centers is located there. polar bear, which belongs to the marine Kara-Barents population. This animal is a 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 reserve functions typical for any national park, "Russian Arctic" The task of clearing the territory is urgent.

The national park is developing rapidly ecological tourism. The park is also designed to ensure ecological balance over a large Arctic territory.

Location: Russia, Arkhangelsk region, part of the archipelago New Earth and the Franz Josef Land archipelago.

Square: 1.5 million hectares

Specialization: preservation and study of rare species of animals and natural objects and complexes.

"Russian Arctic" is one of the youngest national parks in Russia. Under his management is the state nature reserve of federal significance “Franz Josef Land”, formed on April 23, 1994, the area of which exceeds 7 million hectares, of which 80% is marine waters.

The national park carries out active environmental protection activities - this includes eliminating accumulated environmental damage in the Arctic and preserving such rare species of animals as the polar bear. All these projects have been supported by the Russian Geographical Society since 2010.

Thus, in April 2013, with grant support from the Russian Geographical Society, scientists began the program “Study of the role of the Franz Josef Land reserve in preserving populations of rare species of marine mammals and polar bears.” Until September, employees of the Russian Arctic National Park studied the islands of the Franz Josef Land archipelago, which are a kind of “last refuge” for animals displaced from everywhere by civilization and exposed to climate change.

Diet for a polar bear

During the spring and summer stages of the expedition, scientists studied Alexandra Land, Graham Bell Island, the waters of the White, Barents and Kara Seas from ships and helicopters and traveled more than 400 kilometers on snowmobiles to collect data on walruses, cetaceans and the largest land predator - the white bear

Today, the number of polar bears does not exceed 20-25 thousand individuals worldwide. The reduction in the area of ice cover in the Arctic seas and changes in the age structure of sea ice are forcing polar bears to spend more time on the coast and on islands; there is probably a redistribution of animals within their range. Remaining on the shore for a long time, polar bears are deprived of access to their main source of food - seals that live on sea ice(ringed seal and bearded seal). Hungry predators can come out to people more often, causing conflict situations than putting themselves in danger. To preserve this species, the Russian Geographical Society has been supporting the Polar Bear project since 2010., the goal of which is the conservation and study of these predators in the Russian Arctic, the development of non-invasive methods for collecting biological material (shed guard hairs, excrement) for genetic studies of the population structure of the species in Russia.

The summer of 2013 in the Arctic was very different from the average long-term statistics - the amount of ice decreased noticeably. Such changes cannot but affect the inhabitants of the region. During the expedition, scientists did not see a single sea ice floe. And since the life of local seals - seals and bearded seals - is closely connected with the ice, it is not surprising that these animals have never been encountered by researchers. At the same time, seals are the basis of the polar bear’s diet. With their departure, predators began to be seen at bird markets, where they tried to pick out little auks from under stones, and at walrus rookeries. What's remarkable is greatest number Scientists saw 11 bears on one of the islands at a walrus rookery.

Whales in the hole

Spring and summer expeditions to Franz Josef Land helped identify new concentrations of the rare Svalbard population of bowhead whales, listed in the International Red Book, which in itself is a scientific achievement.

Whales live in the waters of the archipelago all year round. It is in the waters of the reserve and its immediate surroundings that the only known stable summer feeding areas for bowhead whales are located, and the polynyas are their regular wintering grounds. Monitoring work of the Russian Artica National Park, carried out in last years, including with grant support from the Russian Geographical Society, convincingly showed that the waters of Franz Josef Land are a key habitat for bowhead whales, which must be preserved for the conservation of these animals.

Expedition results

Despite the small amount of ice and the short spring field season, scientists assess the results of the work as good. Among other things, the researchers mapped the distribution of marine mammals and polar bears in the Franz Josef Land Nature Reserve. Scientists have collected a lot of material about pinnipeds, in particular walruses - this new information according to their biology and distribution in the archipelago. For example, for the first time, data has been collected that most fully covers the entire summer population of the Atlantic walrus on Franz Josef Land, and information has been obtained on the interannual variability of the number of animals in rookeries. And the material collected on the population genetic characteristics of Atlantic walruses can play an important role in understanding the conservation status of the group living in the reserve.

During the spring-summer season of 2013, scientists developed methodological approaches, tested new technical means, such as small aircraft for observations in the Arctic, and purchased equipment for monitoring animal populations. Thanks to all this, the researchers intend to continue to carry out the work they have begun.

Among the results of the work, it is worth highlighting the fact that the research carried out partly formed the basis for the proposal to transfer the Franz Josef Land reserve to the status of a national park. The proposal to change the category is due to the fact that the reserve regime makes it difficult to manage this specially protected natural area, especially the protection of its natural complexes.

However, transferring the reserve to the category of a national park can significantly reduce the area of protected territory. Currently, according to documents, the area of the reserve is 4.2 million hectares. However, in reality it occupies a territory 2.5 times larger: in 2006, the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute carried out a mathematical calculation using the coordinates of corner points, according to which the area of the reserve exceeded 11 million hectares. The sea area of Franz Josef Land is 9.407 million hectares, which is 3.5 times more than the 2.591 million hectares stated in the documents.

Scientists see a solution to the problem in the creation of a marine protective zone, which should cover important habitats of marine mammals and polar bears, as well as the most important areas of the marine ecosystem for these animals, for example, french polynyas.

Work continues

This year, employees of the Russian Arctic National Park continue the work they started and have already carried out field work on Alexandra Land and Franz Josef Land to monitor the wormwood fauna, populations of marine mammals and polar bears. It is planned to continue work on studying the population genetic structure of the Atlantic walrus herd, monitoring the polar bear population using genetic methods, as well as monitoring walrus rookeries using remote sensing.

The Russian North is a difficult-to-reach and little-explored territory. However, it never ceases to attract with its splendor. The protected lands of Karelia, Obonezhye, Vologda need protection and care. The Russian Arctic National Park is designed to preserve the natural and cultural wealth of the exclusive part of the Russian North.

Domains of the "Russian Arctic"

In order to realize Russia’s potential in the Arctic, preserve the special nature of the North and conduct scientific research In 1999, 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. Ten years later, V.V. Putin ordered the establishment of the Russian Arctic National Park. The park territory includes many protected islands, including Fr. Gemskerk, o. Loshkina, Fr. Northern, Oran Islands. The total area of the “Russian Arctic” is about 1.5 million hectares: the majority is occupied by water areas (about 790 thousand hectares).

Sanctuary "Franz Josef Land"

One of the most beautiful places in the world is Franz Josef Land; the archipelago is actually adjacent to the “Russian Arctic”. The lands of the archipelago have been considered protected areas since 1994, when the state nature reserve “Franz Josef Land” was created. The reserve, whose protection is carried out by the "Russian Arctic", was formed to preserve pristine nature, solutions environmental problems, resource reproduction. An important task is to protect the local fauna from human influence.

The lands of the archipelago are home to polar bears, for which nature has created a favorable atmosphere for raising offspring.

Walrus rookeries occupy significant areas of the reserve. On the islands of Appolonov and Stolichka you can see rare Atlantic walruses at the rookery. Numerous here

Unique microclimate

"Russian Arctic" (the national park has a unique microclimate. The location of the park is unique. It is washed by the two Barents and Kara Seas. At the same time, the southwestern part Barents Sea is always free of ice, the Kara Sea, on the contrary, does not freeze only in summer period near river mouths. This feature of nature creates an exceptional microclimate in the park, in which there is such a diversity of fauna that is not found in any other 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 Novaya Zemlya deer, the bowhead whale and the polar bear, the narwhal and the minke whale. The park plays an important role in protecting the Kara-Barents polar bear population. Arctic foxes (on dry hills) and lemmings (near water bodies) live in the tundra zones of the park.

The “Russian Arctic” is an important habitat area for the bowhead whale and 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, marine mammals such as sea hare, ringed seal, Atlantic walrus, ringed seal, and narwhal are found.

Ornithofauna

The park's avifauna 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 in the warm season, there are many places for arranging nests, and there are practically no predators. Terrestrial species include the tundra partridge and snowy owl. Guillemots, Arctic guillemots, little auks, kittiwakes, ivory gulls, glaucous gulls and other species of birds nest on the rocky shores of the islands.

Despite all the diversity of avifauna, representatives of different populations rarely settle together. Little auks inhabit coastal areas and do not leave them even for the winter. Guillemots, on the contrary, only nest on the shore, and spend the rest of their time at sea, like gulls and kittiwakes. Predators, glaucous glaucous gulls and skuas, settle near large nesting areas of seabirds, which serve as food for them.

The Russian Arctic National Park (Arkhangelsk) is also attractive for migratory birds. They fly from southern countries at the beginning of spring, during the mating season. All passerines, with the exception of the snow bunting, are migratory. Horned lark, Lapland plantain, wheatear, and redpoll nest in dry grass and under. The Anatidae family is also represented in the “Russian Arctic”; there are 12 species here. Along with other freshwater birds, they nest and feed on arctic lakes and streams. In September, colonies replenished with chicks migrate to warmer places.

Cultural and historical heritage

The Russian Arctic National Park is a place with a special historical and cultural heritage. Objects related to the history of the discovery of the Arctic are concentrated here. It is known that in the 11th-12th centuries, fishing was carried out in the park, walruses were hunted for their tusks, arctic foxes for their exceptional fur, and 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 the 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 and spent the winter on the island with the crew. On way back The navigator fell fatally ill with scurvy. The crew returned home with valuable scientific observations.

The first Russian navigator to go 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 current park.

Ecotourism is currently developing here.

Anyone can visit the Russian Arctic National Park. Photos and videos can be taken from the boards of cruisers traveling from Murmansk, and during numerous berths to the shores of the islands.

| Russian Arctic National Park

Russian Arctic National Park

Since ancient times, the Arctic has been a mystery and, despite sometimes mortal danger, has always attracted people. Someone was drawn to the northern latitudes by a passion for geographical discoveries, some - rich opportunities for catching fish and sea animals, some just wanted to become famous, and others - to demonstrate their heroism and perseverance.

It has been established that back in the 11th-12th centuries, Novgorodians went to Novaya Zemlya, a group of islands located between the Barents and Kara seas. In 1596, Willem Barents sailed around the northern tip of Severny Island and wintered on its eastern coast. And in our time, on June 15, 2009, the Russian Arctic National Park was created here.

The territory of the national park includes the northern part of the Severny Island, the Novaya Zemlya Islands, the Big and Small Oran Islands, Fr. Loshkina, Fr. Gemskerk and a number of other islands. The land area of the “Russian Arctic” is 632,090 hectares, and the water area is 793,910 hectares.

The national park is located on the territory of the Arkhangelsk region ( municipality urban district "Novaya Zemlya"). There is no permanent resident population in the “Russian Arctic”.

The unique location of the national park, spread out on the Eurasian border, determines a number of its features. The Barents Sea, which washes the territory of the park from the west, does not completely freeze under the influence of the warm North Atlantic Current. The Eastern Kara Sea, on the contrary, is covered solid ice for many months. The relatively short distance from the mainland and higher winter temperatures lead to a greater diversity of life forms than in other Arctic territories.

On the territory of the “Russian Arctic” you can find polar bears, walruses, seals, harp seals, arctic foxes and even reindeer. During the short server summer, plants, of which there are 64 species, turn their leaves towards the polar sun. The Oran Islands, with their gently sloping cliffs, are a paradise for many polar birds. Up to 20 species of birds breed here, and 5 species dare to stay for the winter.

The group of characteristic and especially memorable objects of the “Russian Arctic” includes the Lomonosov Mountains and the Mendeleev Mountains. Here you can find amazingly beautiful polar landscapes.

Those who visited the “Russian Arctic” gained something more than just good impressions. They felt like pioneers and undoubtedly received answers to the eternal questions that tormented them. After all, where else can these answers be found - only among centuries-old ice.

State nature reserve of federal significance "Franz Josef Land"

The birthday of the reserve is considered to be April 23, 1994, when the order of the Russian Government approved the protected status of the Franz Josef Land archipelago and part of the marine area. This document allocates the entire territory of the archipelago - 1,635,300 hectares - for the land part of the reserve. The total area of the specially protected natural area is 4,200,000 hectares.

The Franz Josef Land archipelago is located in the northeastern part of the Barents Sea and is the northernmost landmass of Eurasia. On an administrative-territorial basis, it is part of the Primorsky municipal district of the Arkhangelsk region.

The existence of these lands was predicted by the Great Pomor M.V. Lomonosov, however, due to their remoteness (distance to the North Pole - 900 km, the Kola Peninsula - 1200 km, Novaya Zemlya - 360 km) and inaccessibility, the archipelago was discovered only in 1873 by the expedition of K. Weiprecht and J. Payer. It was named in honor of the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph I. In the 20th century, man left a noticeable mark on the archipelago: fuel barrels, worn-out equipment - not the most attractive, but no less noticeable features of Franz Josef Land.

Geographically, Franz Josef Land is a group of 191 islands, stretching 375 km from west to east and 234 km from south to north. Constantly ongoing relief-forming processes can lead to changes in the number of islands. So, in 2008, a new island was discovered near Northbrook Island, named after the Arctic captain Yuri Kuchiev.

It is interesting to note that 71% of the total number of islands of the archipelago occupy only 0.4% of its area. Only 4 islands (George Land, Wilczek Land, Graham Bell, Alexandra Land) have areas exceeding 100,000 hectares.

85% of Franz Josef Land is covered by glaciers, making it the most glaciated landmass in the Russian Arctic.

All islands of the archipelago belong to the climatic zone of the Arctic deserts. The average temperature in January is -24°C, in July - from -1.5-0°C. In winter, the thermometer can drop below -50°C.

Despite the truly harsh climate, the archipelago is not a lifeless space. Its nature is unique and charming in its own way. Among a few other places, these islands are chosen by the owners of the Arctic - polar bears - to give birth and raise their babies. Walruses, ringed seals, bearded seals are amazing species of mammals that have chosen Franz Josef Land and the waters around it as their home. In the sea, near the reserve, you can meet the bowhead whale, the sea unicorn - the narwhal, and the beluga whale. 15 species of birds hatch their chicks on the numerous rocks of the archipelago.

The functions of protecting the Franz Josef Land reserve, organizing work to restore its original appearance and preserving cultural heritage are currently carried out by the Federal State Budgetary Institution Russian Arctic National Park.

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 region from an environmental point of view in the western sector of the Arctic; five species listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation and the International Red Book live here.

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 waters of Franz Josef Land are a key area of the modern range of the Svalbard population of the bowhead whale, the rarest marine mammal of the North Atlantic. Franz Josef Land is the area where whales are most frequently encountered and their year-round habitat. Thanks to the animals preserved here, the Svalbard population began to slowly restore its numbers and range.

The waters of Franz Josef Land are the site of the most regular encounters of narwhals in the Russian Arctic.

Franz Josef Land is the most important area for the maintenance and reproduction of the Atlantic walrus, which, thanks to the presence of stationary polynyas, lives on the archipelago 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 northern Barents Sea is inhabited by a single population of walruses, and, thanks to the expanded reproduction of the group of walruses preserved on Franz Josef Land, in recent decades there has been a restoration of numbers and recolonization of the Svalbard islands by the animal.

The islands are an important breeding ground for polar bears of the Kara-Barents Sea population. In summer, there is an increased polar bear population density here 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 little auks is concentrated here.

Franz Josef Land is home to the world's most northern known thick-billed guillemot breeding colonies.

The archipelago contains the only proven nesting sites in Russia for the Atlantic subspecies of the brant goose, the main nesting sites for the Greenland subspecies of the common eider, as well as periodic sites for the short-billed bean goose.

Russian Arctic is a national park in the Arkhangelsk region. Located in the northern part of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago. Created June 15, 2009. The national park includes reserve lands with total area 1,426,000 hectares, of which land - 632,090 hectares, sea waters - 793,910 hectares.

Reasons and goals for creating the park

This region is home to the largest bird colonies 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. Unique and cultural heritage national park: here are places and objects associated with the history of the discovery and development of the Russian Arctic since the 16th century, in particular, associated with the activities of the 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 environmental scientific and educational tourism. In 2009, Vladimir Putin invited ministers to spend their next vacation in this park or in other similar places.

The Federal State Budgetary Institution "Russian Arctic National Park" also protects the territory of the state natural reserve of federal significance "Franz Josef Land", as well as measures to preserve biological diversity and maintain protected natural complexes in their natural state on the territory of this reserve.

Nature

The importance 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.

The waters of Franz Josef Land are the site of the most regular encounters of narwhals in the Russian Arctic.

Franz Josef Land is the most important area for the maintenance and reproduction of the Atlantic walrus, which, thanks to the presence of stationary polynyas, lives on the archipelago 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 northern Barents Sea is inhabited by a single population of walruses, and, thanks to the expanded reproduction of the group of walruses preserved on Franz Josef Land, in recent decades there has been a restoration of numbers and recolonization of the Svalbard islands by the animal.

The islands are an important breeding ground for polar bears of the Kara-Barents Sea population. In summer, there is an increased polar bear population density here 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 little auks is concentrated here.

Franz Josef Land is home to the world's most northern known thick-billed guillemot breeding colonies.