Today was our first day exploring the Galichya Gora Nature Reserve. The Reserve was founded in 1925, only the 8th Reserve at the time in Russia. It consists of six areas dedicated to conserving the relict flora most representative of the area. Agriculture surrounds the reserves, making it even more important to protect these plants from development.
Gora means mountain in Russian, referring to the limestone cliffs and slopes of the reserve. These limestone areas are rare, and though they are small, there are 1000 species of plants that are found in the rocks.
Limestone cliff overlooking Don River
Schivereckia podolica
Vladimir and Andrey collect seeds of Alyssum gmelinii
In a happy place
It is hard to convey the delicate, continuous flowing movement of Stipa seedheads. Two species were found in the steppe: Stipa pulcherrima and Stipa pinnata
Onosma simplicissima
The seedheads easily come off and Shi Lei demonstrates one of the many uses of Stipa!
Pyrethrum sp.
Centaurea ruthenica
Galichja Gora has three overall goals: to conserve the plants of the area, to carry out scientific research and monitoring and to provide ecological education. There are dedicated laboratories for plants, animals, insects and fungi. The Reserve maintains an herbarium, as well as fungi and insect collections. A wild bird nursery raises rare species for reintroduction to the wild. Hunting birds are also offered for sale to the public, in an effort to discourage illegal capture of these birds.
We had a lovely day with Tatyana, a botanist at Galichya Gora. We're looking forward to seeing more of the Reserve tomorrow!
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