UNESCO/Toson-Khulstai Biosphere Reserve
Kenozersky
General information
Kenozersky Biosphere Reserve in the Arkhangelsk Region in the northwest of the country includes virgin taiga forest and mixed pine-spruce forest ecosystems. The site is a globally important migratory bird habitat, and contains unique swamp and forest ecosystems.
Detailed information
Key data
Year of nomination
2004
Country
Russian Federation
Total population
1880
Area
Surface
139,663.00 ha
Total terresterial area
139,663.00 ha
Location
Latitiude: 61.9428 - Longitude: 38.1859
Contact
Ecosystem-based network
EuroMAB
Ecological Characteristics
The Kenozersky Biosphere Reserve corresponds to the Kenozero National Park. It has both bird species typical to the middle-taiga as well as to deciduous forest and steppe zones and numerous birds inhabit the northern or southern limits of their natural distribution. Many birds of prey are recorded in the area such as buzzard, goshawk, hen harrier and marsh harrier.Cultural landscapes play an important role in the development of high biodiversity levels in this natural protected area. Natural-geographical features and centuries-old history have created conditions for the existence of a variety of plant and animal species. 534 plant species are recorded in the area, of which 53 are rare or endangered, including many orchid species. The fauna include many typical taiga species such as wolf, brown bear, glutton, elk, lynx, otter, marten and mink.
Socio-Economics Characteristics
There are 46 settlements with 2,400 people living in the transition area of the Biosphere Reserve, whose activities include tourism and traditional trades and crafts, which are being revived. In the buffer zone sustainable forestry techniques are practised.Kenozero has a unique historical-cultural heritage with monuments of wooden architecture under federal protection (Pochozero and Porzhensky grave yard of the 17th - 19th centuries). There are also 42 sacred groves, seids (sacred stones), and sacred trees on sites where pagan burials took place and that have been conserved from pre-Christian time. Traditional cultural landscapes have conserved the features of planning of the 17th - 19th centuries Northern Russian rural landscapes, lost in other industrial areas.