Nature, plants and animals of the Trans-Baikal Territory. Animals of the Red Book in Transbaikalia Rare animals and plants of the Transbaikal Territory

In this article, we will tell you about those animals that live in our vicinity. Some of them are unique and rare, some we see more often. But they are all our "neighbors" and therefore deserve our attention. We will not specifically describe their description of how and where they live - this can be found on the Internet.

Also, we will not talk about the famous animals that are found with us. These are: hedgehogs, wolves, hares, foxes, field mice, owls,partridges, sparrow swallows, swifts and so on, everyone knows,beast. Here we will post a photo and some information of those animals that seemed interesting to the author for our places. Note also that Transbaikalia is also inhabited by: bear, wild boar, sable, ermine, red deer, roe deer or wild goat, wood grouse, black grouse, ptarmigan and other animals.In the end, we will describe the most common snakes in Transbaikalia, including poisonous ones.

In the nearby forests you can find black Transbaikalian squirrels. Very agile and intelligent animals. Easy to tame. In spite of the statutory prohibitions, they often lived with the rocket men in the areas in the barracks.

Pallas' cat is an animal the size of a domestic cat. It differs from an ordinary cat in a more dense, massive body with short thick legs and very thick hair. The manul's head is small, wide and flattened, with small rounded ears that are widely spaced. The eyes are yellow, the pupils of which in bright light, in contrast to the pupils of the eyes of a domestic cat, do not acquire a slit-like shape, but remain round. On the cheeks there are bundles of elongated hair (bucks). The tail is long and thick, with a rounded tip. A very rare animal - it is a great success to meet it.

The black woodpecker is a large (crow-sized) coal-black bird, the top of the head (in males) or the back of the head (in females) is bright red. The flight is hard, straightforward. The habit of accompanying a person walking through the forest for some time, flying in front and looking out from behind a tree, is characteristic. It publishes a mournful "klyuee", in flight - a sharp cry "kri-kri-kri". Spring roll is booming, low tone. Bird of large high-stemmed forests.

The blue magpie is similar in general appearance to the common one, but much smaller and more beautifully colored. The top of her head is black with a bluish or purple metallic sheen. The back, shoulder and upper tail are light gray or ocher-gray. The tail feathers, wing coverts and outer webs of the secondary flight feathers are blue. The throat is white, the rest of the bottom is whitish or light brownish-gray. This magpie has a ruptured area. Inhabits deciduous forests and shrubs along river valleys. Blue magpies feed on various insects, berries and seeds of wild plants.

Waxwing. The size of a starling, with thick fluffy plumage and a large crest on the head. The color is pinkish-gray, the wings are black with yellow and white stripes, the tail, throat and stripe through the eyes are black. The tips of the secondary feathers are transformed into small bright red plates, visible only up close. There is a yellow stripe along the edge of the tail, on the wing there is a narrow white stripe. Townspeople often call them "crested tit", "cockerels" and even "parrots". Inhabits sparse coniferous and mixed forests, overgrown burnt areas and clearings.

Black crane. A very rare, almost unexplored and mysterious bird. All information about it is of great interest to scientists. Significantly less common crane (weight 3.3- 3.5 kg , wingspan - about 165 cm ). The general color is black, the head and neck are white, the crown is red. The bill is greenish, the legs are black. The eyes are carmine red. Flying like a gray crane. Less cautious than the gray crane. Young black cranes appear gray from a distance.

Daursky crane. A rare species, its total number according to ornithologists' estimates it is 4900-5300 individuals. It is protected by international and national laws. Bird about 190 cm and weighing 5.6 kg ... This is the only species of cranes with pinkish legs and wide white stripes along the neck. There are patches of red, bare skin around the eyes. The plumage of most of the body of adult birds is dark gray; the flight and coverts of the wings are lighter and have a silvery tint. Sexual dimorphism (visible differences between male and female) is not pronounced, although males look somewhat larger. In young birds, feathers on the head and front of the neck are red, and the flight feathers of the wings and tail are dark gray.

Pika or, as we call them, hayfields. A family of mammals of the order Lagomorphs. Body length up to 25 cm ... The ears are short, the tail is invisible from the outside. Top coloration in summer from ocher to red-brown, in winter light, gray-ocher. They inhabit open landscapes, plain steppes and rocky areas of the forest belt. They settle in colonies. Active during the day and at dusk. Grass and twigs are stored for the winter, which are folded into "stacks". By the number and size of these "stacks" you can determine what kind of winter will be in terms of duration.

Daurian hamster.Small, somewhat larger than a mouse, an animal with a short tail. Body length 82- 126 mm, tail 20-33 mm ... The muzzle is noticeably pointed, the ears are large, rounded, the foot is bare, the tail is covered with soft, short, sometimes longer and coarser hair, there are no transverse rings on it. The coloration of the upper body is brown or reddish, a more or less pronounced black stripe runs along the ridge from the forehead to the tail, the belly is gray, whitish, the paws and the lower surface of the tail are white, the ears have a white border. Occurs in shrub steppes, semi-fixed sands with pebbles, outliers, in cultivated areas. Gravitates towards habitats with shrubs or piles of stones. It feeds mainly on plant foods (seeds of caragana, sedges, cereals, hodgepodge). Often eats insects. Active in the dark. In winter, it hardly appears on the surface, but there is no real hibernation.

Upland Buzzard. Large bird: total length 61 - 72 cm, wing length 45-50 cm ... The general coloration of adult birds of the Upland Buzzard on the dorsal side is brown with ocher edges of feathers, the tail is brown with a blackish transverse pattern, the ventral side is buffy with brown longitudinal and transverse patterns. There is also a more or less monochromatic dark brown variation. Young Upland Buzzards without transverse markings on the ventral side. The tarsus is feathered up to the toes or at least up to half its length. Eyes are pale brown or yellowish, beak and claws are black, waxes and legs are yellow. The Upland Buzzard is a bird of open spaces, found in the mountains and on the plains, along dry steppe areas. Sedentary or partially nomadic species. Upland Buzzard nests on rocks and on the ground.

Korsak is similar to the common fox, but noticeably smaller (body length 50-60 cm, tail 25-35 cm), with larger ears and higher legs. Shoulder height approx. 30 cm ... The muzzle is short, strongly pointed; wide cheekbones; the ears are large, wide at the base, pointed towards the ends. The general color is light, gray or reddish-gray, there are shades of red; the belly is whitish or yellowish, the tip of the tail is dark brown or black, the chin is light. Seasonal morphism is expressed in the length of the fur: in winter, the fur is long and lush, in summer it is short and tight. In winter, near the ridge near the Korsak, a gray coating is noticeable.

Dzeren is a hoofed animal of the gazelle genus of the bovine family. Listed in the Red Book of Russia. disappearing view. Perhaps it appears only when entering from Mongolia. Dzeren inhabits steppe and semi-desert areas, preferring flat relief and gentle mountain slopes. In Mongolia, gazelles spend their summer mainly in feather grass steppes and feather grass semi-deserts. In winter, in the northern part of the range, they move to the forb steppes.

The seagull is relict. Included in the group of dark-headed gulls. It is larger than the black-headed gull, but smaller than the gull. The tips of the wings and narrow edges on the first flight feathers are black. There are bright white rings around the eyes. The beak and legs are red. A colony of relict gulls exists on the Torey lakes. Often, nests die during storms, or birds suddenly abandon them for some unknown reason. In some years, gulls do not nest at all. It is believed that there are only 600-800 pairs of relict gulls in the world. Where it hibernates is unknown. In their winter plumage, these gulls are very easy to confuse with closely related species. The relic gull is one of the rare birds in the world. It is included in the Red Data Books of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Russia and many other countries. It is strictly forbidden to shoot, to collect, the transportation of any materials from country to country is limited.

Patterned snakes are a species of snakes of the family of snakes of the genus climbing snakes. Reaches length 1.5 m , the tail, as a rule, does not exceed 17 - 30 cm ... The species is characterized by a very variable color. The general background of the body is grayish-brownish above, sometimes with a brown tint, with four brownish longitudinal stripes (two of which are extended to the tail) and with blackish spots. On the upper surface of the head, there is a specific pattern that changes with age. A dark temporal stripe runs from the eyes to the neck. The belly is grayish or yellowish with reddish specks and sometimes dark spots. During the molting period, the color changes significantly and often becomes less contrasting.

Common viper. Unlike other snakes, it has a head covered with scales rather than large scutes; a dark zigzag stripe runs along its back. Above, the body is painted gray or brown; there are entirely black individuals. The body length of females may exceed 70 cm , males are usually smaller. Snakes can be found in forests and swamps, among rocky placers, along river valleys overgrown with bushes. They feed on insects, amphibians, small birds and rodents. In the spring, vipers appear after wintering in the end. Apr - early. May. They hibernate deep underground in rodent burrows and crevices between stones. Vipers are poisonous, but not aggressive; they rarely bite, only in case of immediate danger. Cases of death of people from the bite are rare. One of the reasons for their rarity is their extermination by humans. The poison is used for the preparation of medicines.

Shitomordnik ordinary. Family of Pit-head snakes. Before 70 cm dl. The body is grayish-brown or brown, there are transverse dark spots along the back, smaller spots are located on the sides. On the head, between the eye and the nostril, there is a thermal locator - a deep fossa that serves to detect warm-blooded animals at a distance. The pupil is vertical. They feed on rodents, birds, insects. Viviparous. Able to vibrate quickly with the tip of their tail. Poisonous, although the bite very rarely leads to the death of a person. After the bite, the introduction of a medicinal serum is necessary. Season: May – September. Habitat: steppes, bushes, forests.

Transbaikalia is rich in commercial fur-bearing animals, there are about 25 species. The smallest fur-bearing animal on earth - a predatory weasel, is subject to absolute protection, its number has not yet been established. A wolverine lives in the most remote places of the taiga. Other fur-bearing animals are also widespread: red and black-brown fox, corsac, badger, muskrat, tarbagan, local and acclimatized species of hares. Among ungulates, roe deer occupy the first place in terms of numbers, followed by wild boars, elks and red deer. Musk deer, a miniature Transbaikalian deer, is in great demand in medicine for the musky gland of the male, the so-called jet. The gazelle and bighorn sheep are listed in the Red Book of Russia, as well as the representative of the northern taiga, the wild deer - sogzhoi. A wolf is found in all districts of the region. There are up to 4 thousand brown bears in the region. The Pallas' cat, a rare steppe cat with a secretive lifestyle, is listed in the "Red Book of Russia". The black-capped marmot, which is strenuously pursued by humans because of its beautiful fur, is considered an endangered species. The tiger is included in the International Red Book - the pride of Russian nature. The world of birds is rich and diverse - more than 350 species of birds. Black grouse, wood grouse and hazel grouse are found in the forests. On the lakes there are mallards, dives, mergansers, geese, gray swans. Transbaikal water bodies are inhabited by over 60 species of fish. The northern lakes of Chary are inhabited by delicious whitefish, as well as Davatchan. Davatchan is listed in the "Red Book of Russia". The Ivano-Arakhlei lakes are rich in fish. In the upper reaches of Ingoda, Shilka, Onon and Argun royal species of taimen, lenok, grayling live.

Transbaikal region. The fauna of the Baikal natural territory of the Trans-Baikal Territory is represented by the species of the Dauro-Mongolian zoogeographic province: light polecat, Daurian pika, Mongolian marmot; taiga and mountain-taiga species: sable, Siberian weasel, brown bear, lynx, squirrel, chipmunk; forest-steppe species: badger, baby mouse and many other species of vertebrates and invertebrates. River basin Khilok is a huge migration corridor providing movement of avifauna representatives. In general, the composition of the bird population tends to be typical of the taiga.

The Arakhleysky reserve is located 70 km from the city of Chita. The creation of the reserve was associated with the need to preserve natural ecosystems in the largest recreation area in the Chita region. Over a year, the territory of the reserve is visited by more than 150 thousand people who come to rest at numerous recreation centers or in a "wild" way. The reserve seeks to regulate the use of land and water resources, prevents uncontrolled building and pollution of lake shores.
A good asphalt road leads from Chita to the reserve, crossing the Yablonovy ridge.
Ivano-Arakhleisky nature reserve in facts and figures:
Founded in 1993.
Total area - 210 thousand hectares
Located in the Chita region.
The main natural objects: 6 large lakes, several dozen small ones, larch taiga, birch and aspen forests.
State Biosphere Reserve "DaurskyV" is located in the south of the Chita region. The territory of the reserve is represented mainly by steppe landscapes with characteristic species of plants and animals, including such rare ones as the dzeren antelope, Daurian hedgehog, wild cat Pallas' cat and Mongolian marmot (tarbagan). The open spaces of the steppes attract rare birds: steppe eagle, golden eagle, saker falcon.
The most important attraction of the reserve are the Torey lakes (Barun-Torey and Zun-Torey) - the largest lakes in Transbaikalia. A feature of the lakes is their periodic filling and drying, which occurs on average once every 30 years. So, in the XX century, the lakes dried up four times. Torey lakes form an endless basin, receiving water from small steppe rivers. For this reason, lake waters contain a large amount of dissolved salts.
Torey lakes attract many species of birds nesting along their shores. In addition, many bird species pass through the lakes, nesting in more northern regions. For this reason, the bird fauna of the reserve is extremely rich (150 nesting, 120 migratory species).
A special place is occupied by one of the largest and most beautiful birds of our fauna - the cranes. Three species of cranes nest on the territory of the reserve - daurian, gray and belladonna. Two more species - the white crane (Siberian crane) and the black crane - nest in the north, but in the reserve they are represented by young birds that have not started nesting, as well as on migration. And in 2002, Japanese cranes were also found in the reserve. Thus, six species of cranes can be found in the reserve at once - more than anywhere else in the world.

The Aginskaya Steppe reserve was established in 2004 and is located in the interfluve of the Onon and Aga rivers. The purpose of creating the reserve was to preserve and restore the natural steppe and aquatic ecosystems of the Aginskaya steppe. The main part of the reserve is made up of slightly hilly plains occupied by various steppe communities. The most common here are grass-grass-grass, mixed-herb-oriental and thread-leaved steppes.

The presence of a large number of lakes attracts a variety of near-water birds, especially during the autumn-spring migrations. Aquatic vegetation, as well as larvae of mosquitoes, coastal flies and other aquatic invertebrates inhabiting shallow lake waters, are excellent food for many birds. Here, on the steppe lakes, you can find teals (whistles and cracklings), mallards, gray duck, red-headed duck, whooper swan and even such a rare species as the sucker goose. During the periods of migration, gray geese, bean goose, and also numerous waders (sandpipers, wildfishes, brown-winged plovers, fifi, stilts) feed on the lakes. Near the lakes, cranes also gather - belladonna, Daurian, black, gray and even white (Siberian Cranes). Up to 3000 Demoiselles and several dozen black cranes live here every year. Many bird species find excellent places to rest and feed on the territory of the reserve during seasonal flights.
The abundance of birds on the lakes of the Aginsk steppe is due to the fact that the territory of the reserve is located on one of the most massive - the East Asian-Australian flyway of bird migrations (Goroshko, 2006). At least 250 bird species have been recorded in the reserve.
Of the birds nesting in the steppe in the reserve, the most common are larks (Mongolian, horned, field, small, gray), wheatens (common and dancer), Japanese quail, bearded (Daurian) partridge, belladonna crane, bustard, as well as ducks - fire and sheath. The most characteristic predator is the Upland Buzzard; the steppe eagle is less common. On the territory of the reserve, there are about 30 species of birds that are included in the international CITES list, are taken under protection at the federal or regional levels.
The reserve plays an especially important role in the preservation of such a rare, critically endangered species as the bustard. It is believed that up to 30-50 bustards nest in the reserve annually, which is about 10% of all birds of this species living in our region.
There are numerous rodents in the reserve - long-tailed ground squirrel, jerboa-jumper, great and narrow-headed vole, Transbaikalian hamster, Daurian zokor. In the past, Mongolian marmots (tarbagans) were also widespread, but in recent decades their number is small and this species has been taken under protection. Among the lagomorphs, the tolai hare and the dahurian pika are found. Among other species of mammals in the Aginsky steppe are wolf, fox, corsac, manul, steppe polecat, saltwater, badger, Daurian hedgehog In some places, especially closer to the Tsyrik-Narasun pine forest, the Siberian roe deer is found. In total, about 35 species of mammals have been recorded in the reserve.
The Trans-Baikal steppes are inhabited by the tolai hare, which is distinguished as an independent species. Finally, a small rabbit-like, short-eared and short-legged Manchurian hare is widespread in the Amur Region and the Ussuriysk Territory.

List of animals and birds included in the Red Book of the Trans-Baikal Territory

Dzeren, Amur tiger, leopard snow leopard, bighorn sheep, mountain sheep, red wolf, otter, Pallas' cat, Daurian hedgehog, marmots (Mongolian-tarbagan, black-capped), bustard, geese (mountain, dry goose, white-fronted goose, tundra and taiga bean goose),
red-breasted goose, ducks (mandarin duck, kloktun, Baer's duck, wheatear), shilokbeak, stilt, curlews (large, Far Eastern and medium), mountain snipe, gindweed (great, Asiatic snipe), white-winged cormorant, great cormorant, Amur hern, redhead , spoonbill, swans (whooper, small), storks (black, Far Eastern), common flamingo, cranes (Siberian crane, gray, Daurian, black, belladonna), osprey, peregrine falcon, saker falcon, white-tailed eagle, golden eagle, burial ground, steppe eagle, crested wasp eater, great spotted eagle, gyrfalcon, black vulture, steppe kestrel, relic gull, gull, eagle owl, etc.

Instructions

The Daurian hedgehog is not one of the animals whose extinction is a real threat, nevertheless, in order to prevent this from happening, about the number of populations similar species should be taken care of in advance, not when it is too late. The main enemies of the Daurian hedgehog are natural - they are hunted by owls, eagles and badgers, which significantly reduces the number of hedgehogs. Climatic conditions are also doing their job - many animals of this species die due to low temperatures in May, and heavy rains in June.

The river otter, also listed in the Red Book, has a different situation. It is critically endangered and in its usual habitat, along the channels of most large riversalready exterminated. The main causes of extinction are poaching, deforestation and increased fishing. The latter factor deprives the otter of food and leads to the death of this animal from hunger.

Pallas' cat, which has been recovering its population in recent years, belongs to the cat family and is only slightly larger than cats. Today in Transbaikalia there are about ten thousand individuals of this species, and its main enemy is. Hunting with the use of special equipment, traps and snares do not allow the Pallas' cat to fully restore the population of its species.

Despite the fact that the leopard lives in Primorye and in China, situations periodically arise when this rare animal enters the Transbaikalia region. Due to the rarity of such situations in the region, no measures have yet been taken to rescue and protect leopards.

The Amur tiger appears in Transbaikalia much more often - it is seen quite regularly in the area of \u200b\u200bthe Shilka River, but it is also found in other places in the Transbaikal Territory. This is due to the fact that in recent years tigers have begun migrating towards the west, settling in the Jewish Autonomous and Amur regions, but sometimes they reach Baikal itself.

The irbis, or snow leopard, like the tiger and leopard, is an animal that is on the verge of extinction. It rarely appears in Transbaikalia, its main habitats are the Pamirs, Altai and Tibet. Ironically, its main enemy is the leopard, which is also steadily declining.

Artiodactyls of the Trans-Baikal Territory are in no less distress than predators. The mountain sheep, or argali, quite rarely appears in these parts, which is why the exact range of its habitat is quite difficult. The number of bighorn sheep is also dwindling, and only the gazelle, an antelope from the bovine family, for recent times, managed to more or less restore their population.

Thanks to the works of these and other researchers, by the beginning of the twentieth century. faunistic lists were specified, species new to science, their distribution and economic importance were described.

In the twentieth century. a network of research institutions is being created that systematically studied the fauna of the region. Currently, the main centers of zoological research in the Chita region are the Institute natural resources, ecology and cryology (), Sokhondinsky and reserves, Chita antiplague station , Chita Regional Museum of Local Lore .

A large area, a difficult relief, the presence of a world watershed, and its location at the junction of various natural zones determined the diversity of the Chita Region fauna. Here you can meet the inhabitants of various natural zones: steppe, forest-steppe, various types of forests and high-mountain tundra. The composition of the animal world is formed under the influence of a number of faunas: European-Siberian, mountainous East Siberian (Angara), Daurian-Mongolian, there are elements of the Manchu and even Sino-Himalayan. On the one hand, Transbaikalia was inhabited by species of northern origin: Amur lemming, elk, hare, snowy owl, ptarmigan, taimen , grayling , ; on the other - southern steppe species:, Mongolian marmot, Daurian, steppe ferret, , , Mongolian lizard (lizards), Mongolian. Along the river valleys Amur basin representatives of the Far Eastern fauna penetrated: the Amur tiger, the mandarin duck, the black mallard, the Far Eastern, , ... Alpine fauna is represented by bighorn sheep , black-capped marmot etc.

From the west, Transbaikalia was inhabited by species of the European-Siberian fauna - wild boar, Siberian, viviparous lizard. There are significant differences between the species composition of the fauna of Transbaikalia and more western regions, partly associated with the influence of Lake Baikal and adjacent ridges. It is here that the western border of the settlement of some Transbaikalian species passes. Different species of animals can be found within similar biotopes. So, in the eastern regions of Transbaikalia, there are more inhabitants of the Far Eastern fauna, in the southern regions - Mongolian.

In different years, the introduction (artificial settlement) of some mainly commercial species of animals, such as the European hare, American, white and bighead silver carp, was carried out. , etc.

In the Chita region. five main types of fauna, characteristic of the natural complexes of Transbaikalia, are presented: highlands, taiga, forest-steppe, steppe and water bodies.

Highland animals... The fauna of the highlands is characterized by the poor species composition, which is explained by the harsh climatic conditions. The scarcity of food resources led to the dominance of rodents and ungulates. Reindeer and bighorn sheep inhabit the high-mountain tundra, and the number of these species is small. The most typical of the small mammals is the alpine pika, inhabiting stone placers. In the thickets of dwarf cedar (see. Shlantsy), Asiatic is common. In the north of Transbaikalia (Kodar and Udokan ridges), the black-capped marmot is occasionally found (see Marmots). A few species of predators are represented,,. The species composition of birds is not rich. In the highlands, you can find the tundra partridge (see), horned lark, mountain horse, mountain wagtail, nutcracker. Low temperatures prevent the penetration of amphibians and reptiles into the Transbaikal highlands. The fish fauna is represented by cold-loving species: , taimen, grayling, in the deep-water lakes of the north of Transbaikalia, whitefish are found. Davatchan, a special subspecies of the Arctic char, is endemic to Northern Transbaikalia and is under protection.

The species composition of insects is specific, mainly small and dark-colored forms predominate, which allows them to survive in conditions of low temperatures and short summer. Among beetles, rove beetles, pills predominate. Daytime butterflies are mainly represented mountain views mother of pearl (see), and jaundice (see). Diptera are numerous: mosquitoes (see), horseflies, midges, united by the popular name "gnus".

Taiga animals... The taiga zone occupies a significant part of the region's territory, largely determining the originality of the animal world. The poverty of the fauna of the northern regions of the taiga is associated with the uniformity of landscapes, more severe climatic conditions, and insufficient food supply for many species of animals. The southern taiga has the richest fauna. This is largely due to the presence of several layers in the forest canopy. Some of the inhabitants of the taiga move to the lower tiers, where you can find food, for example, seeds of the Siberian pine trees (cedar), the harvest of which in some years can be significant. The cedar fauna is especially diverse because pine nuts serve as an important food for many species of mammals and birds. Among mammals, the most common are representatives of the orders of ungulates, rodents and carnivores. A typical inhabitant of the Siberian taiga is the eastern subspecies of the red deer () - one of the objects of hunting. In addition, young deer antlers (antlers) used in medicine are appreciated. The largest inhabitant of the taiga is the elk. The weight of large males reaches 570 kg. The number of moose is highest in flat areas, near the shores of stagnant water bodies, swamps, lakes, where they can eat aquatic vegetation.

Winters with little snow allow the Siberian roe deer to enter the forest zone from the forest-steppe. In the southern regions of the taiga, it is widespread, especially characteristic of cedar forests and mixed forests. The smallest ungulate is, its weight does not exceed 8-10 kg. Usually musk deer prefers steep rocky slopes on which they hide from predators and find food (lichens). Musk deer is an important object of fishing, including poaching, because of the so-called "musk deer stream" - the musk gland of males used in perfumery and oriental medicine. Of the hares in the taiga, the white hare is widespread, and the northern pika is found on rocky slopes. The most numerous and object of the fur trade is the squirrel, and its number in some years can significantly increase. Among the rodents, the most typical inhabitants of the taiga are the Asian chipmunk, red, red-gray and Ungur, and East Asian forest. The abundance of small rodents favors the reproduction of the sable, one of the most valuable inhabitants of the taiga. The sable is most numerous in the Siberian pine forests. The weasel family (except for the sable) is represented by ermine, weasel, and weasel. It is ubiquitous (but rare).

The brown bear is considered the owner of the taiga, preferring places rich in berries and pine nuts.

One of the important species regulating the number large mammals, especially ungulates, is a wolf, widespread in taiga zone... The number of wolves must be constantly monitored, since during mass reproduction, it can cause significant damage to agriculture. Of the feline, it is more common, preferring sparse areas of dark coniferous taiga.

The species composition of the taiga birds is not rich. The most widely represented species are grouse, woodpecker, corvids and carnivores. Of the grouse common, inhabiting pine and cedar forests with undergrowth. They are widespread, which are more often observed along the banks of rivers, streams, where there are berry fields. In the northern regions of the taiga, the ptarmigan is found. Black grouse is common in forest clearings, edges, fries. A characteristic bird of the coniferous taiga is the nutcracker, famous for the fact that by making stocks of seeds (nuts), it contributes to the renewal of the Siberian cedar. Owls and eagle owls are quite widespread. Of the birds of prey, the more common goshawk .

Reptiles in the taiga are few in number; common and viviparous lizards are noted.

Among the wood-eating xylophages, the most important are the numerous species of woodcutter beetles (black barbel, leptura, yudolia, etc.) and bark beetles.

Gall producers are common in the forest zone, among which gall midges predominate. The chemical action of the insect or its larva leads to the proliferation of plant tissue. The resulting gall provides the larva with food and at the same time serves as a refuge from enemies.

The larvae of some small insect species are able to settle in the tissues of the leaf or needles, feeding on their contents. At the same time, a light winding trace ("mine") is noticeable on the surface of the leaf, at one of the ends of which one can notice a larva - "miner".

An important component of forest ecosystems are ants, especially those belonging to the genus of forest - formic. Ants make up a significant part of the biomass of taiga ecosystems and regulate the abundance of many invertebrate species. Other important functions of ants include loosening the soil and enriching it with organic and mineral components, destroying wood, and spreading seeds of some plant species. Bloodsuckers are common and numerous in the forest zone - horseflies, mosquitoes, midges, biting midges, bloodsucking flies. Of the arachnids of the taiga, ticks of the ixodid family are common. Some of their species are not only carriers, but also a reservoir of causative agents of a number of dangerous human diseases. The taiga tick, which carries the causative agent of spring-summer encephalitis, and the species of the genus Dermacentor, which are carriers of tularemia, tick-borne typhus and brucellosis, are widespread. An interesting feature of the Trans-Baikal forests is the penetration of more southern steppe species of insects into this zone: some species of butterflies - whitefishes and marigolds, as well as locusts.

Fauna of the forest-steppe and steppe zones... In Transbaikalia, the Siberian taiga and Mongolian steppes touch and penetrate far into each other, which largely determines the originality of the animal world. Characteristics natural complexes - their very high dynamism and inconstancy. During the alternation of dry and wet climatic periods, the habitats of animals change radically. Steppe lakes either fill or dry up, and bare saline areas are formed in their place. Accordingly, vegetation and animal population are almost completely changed. The most optimal conditions are found in the forest-steppe by rodents and ungulates. Among rodents, the most common are the long-tailed and Daurian ground squirrels, the Dzungarian and Daurian hamsters, and Brandt's vole. In the south of the zone there is a jerboa-jumper. An interesting specialized species is the Daurian zokor, which leads an underground lifestyle. Most large view rodents - Mongolian marmot (tarbagan), previously widespread in steppe zone... In recent decades, due to poaching, the number of this interesting kind dropped sharply. A very rare species of the steppes is the Daurian hedgehog, belonging to the order of insectivores. The hare adapted well to life in the steppes tolay and the related Daurian pika (order of lagomorphs). Characteristic forest steppe view - Siberian roe deer, at present, due to intensive fishing, preferring to stick to forest chops and pine forests. A typical steppe species is the gazelle antelope, not so long ago widespread throughout the steppe zone, now periodically entering the Chita Region. from the steppes of Mongolia.

The famous scientist P. & nbsp Pallas while traveling in the South. Transbaikalia noted the encounters of such species of ungulates as the kulan and the argali sheep. The very rare steppe cat Pallas' cat, leading a secretive lifestyle, settles in the rocks. Of the predators, wolves are of the greatest practical importance; their numbers increased significantly in the 1990s. A valuable fur animal in the forest-steppe is the fox, and in the steppe - the korsak. In the southern steppe regions of the region, the steppe polecat settles in the tarbagan burrows.

During humid periods within the Torey Basin in the South-East. In Transbaikalia, more than 1500 medium and small lakes are formed, tens of thousands of waterfowl and near-water birds nest on them, and during the migration period millions of birds stop to rest. In dry climatic periods, the number of waterfowl and near-water birds in the region decreases sharply, but the number of some semi-desert species, for example, the Mongolian earthen bird, increases.

Among feathered predators, Upland Buzzard, Buzzard common, steppe kestrel, very rarely - steppe eagle (see). Crane-like and gray-headed cranes are found, the Daurian crane is more rare. On migration, black (monk) and white (Siberian) cranes are noted, juveniles of which can stay on the steppe lakes throughout the summer. A large endangered species of the crane-like order -. Common and numerous are Lark, Lesser, Gray and Mongolian Larks. Quails are rare. Commercial value has a Daurian partridge. Reptiles are rare and are usually represented by a snake Pallas and Mongolian lizard.

The insect fauna of the steppe and forest-steppe is quite rich - it is both open-living and species living in the soil and grass litter.

The basis of steppe biocenoses is herbaceous vegetation, which led to the abundance of leaf-eating insect species. In the steppe there are numerous locusts, beetles, caterpillars of butterflies, and sawfly larvae. Among Lepidoptera, representatives of many families of diurnal butterflies are common, such as nymphalids,,. Of the large and brightly colored species, butterflies of the family stand out: nomion is a typical steppe species of the Daurian-Mongolian fauna and the swallowtail bearer, widespread in all biotopes, including steppe ones. Among the leaf beetles, there are numerous small and often brightly colored species of hidden head beetles.

Actively flying insects are represented in the steppe, in addition to lepidoptera, by various types of dragonflies, mosquitoes, and biting midges, which fly far into the steppe from water bodies (places of larval development). Dragonflies and predatory ktyri flies occupy a niche of large daytime predators hunting in flight among invertebrates.

The abundance of flowering plants in the forb steppe attracts many pollinators: Hymenoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera.

The soil entomofauna is represented by numerous species of carnivorous and herbivorous ground beetles, darkling beetles, as well as their larvae. The underground parts of plants are damaged by the larvae of some beetles and root-eaters. The usual inhabitants of the upper soil layer are - formics, myrmics, etc. In the dry season of the year, you can observe this interesting phenomenon as a summer dormant period. At this time, under stones and cakes of dried manure, not only typical soil inhabitants (ants, darkling beetles, ground beetles), but also leaf beetles, longhorn beetles, other insects, etc.

Fauna of reservoirs... Chita region possesses a significant fund of rivers and lakes of fisheries importance and allowing the rational use of the raw materials of water bodies.

The diversity and originality of the composition of the ichthyofauna of Transbaikalia are due to the location of this territory on the watershed of three large basins - Baikal, Lena and Amur.

Ichthyofauna of the Upper basin. Cupid is represented by 40 species of fish, which belong to 13 families. Its modern appearance was formed already in the middle of the Quaternary period. It has a mixed character, since in terms of its origin and biology, the species that compose it belong to six different faunal complexes.

The boreal-lowland complex is represented by the Amur pike, Amur chebak, silver carp, Amur sturgeon, lake minnow, common Amur gudgeon, and pinched fish. The fish of this complex mainly live in thickets of floodplain reservoirs and river beds. All of them can withstand significant fluctuations in oxygen in water; by the nature of their nutrition they are benthivorous, i.e. feed on benthic organisms. Amur chebak is a widespread species of Verkh. Amur and is confined mainly to large rivers - Shilka, Argun, Onon, Ingoda. Numerous in lakes Kenon, Nikolaevskoe, Arey. It feeds on vegetation, therefore it is the main consumer of this feed. One of the most valuable fish of the Amur is, however, at present it is a small species in need of protection.

The boreal-foothill complex includes taimen , , grayling,,, Amur broadhead, variegated sculpin. These species are adapted to life in fast-flowing rivers, clear water, rich in oxygen, with a rocky bottom. By the nature of their diet, most of them are benthophages and consumers of air insects. Spawning occurs in spring at low temperatures.

The ancient Upper Tertiary assemblage includes the Amur flat-headed asp, kaluga, carp, Amur catfish, lamprey, minnow, Amur loach. The latter is adapted to life in reservoirs with a small amount of oxygen, since it has additional respiratory organs. A number of species (kaluga, Amur catfish, flat-headed asp) are predators, others feed on benthos. Kaluga is an endemic of the Amur fish fauna. In Transbaikalia, it is found in Shilka, Argun, and the lower reaches of the Onon. It prefers to swim in the deepest parts of the channels. Does not make large migrations. There are only a few reports about the capture of Kaluga. It feeds on young gubar horse, chebak , minnow. Reaches sexual maturity at the age of 16-17.

The Chinese faunal complex includes the gubar horse, Amur gudgeon, gudgeon, Khanka and octopus gudgeon,. These species are very demanding for the presence of oxygen in the water, therefore they live in river beds and only during a rise in the water level do they enter the floodplain water bodies. Spawning time is late spring and summer when the water temperature rises significantly. Fish are small, except for the grub horse.

The Indian complex is represented by one family - killer whales. Representatives of this family are characteristic of the ichthyofauna of India, China and other countries of the Southeast. Asia. On the territory of the Chita region. their distribution is limited to the basins of Shilka, Argun, Onon. Transbaikalia is the most northern section range of the family.

The Arctic complex has only two species - burbot and sig-hadar, preferring oxygenated waters. The only representative of the cod family - burbot - is a predator and partially eats benthos.

The depletion of the species composition of fish living in water bodies has become a serious problem. The endemics of the Amur basin (kaluga, Amur sturgeon, sig-khadar) have practically disappeared. The number of valuable fish species (taimen, lenok, grayling) has decreased. Gubar horse, Amur catfish and carp have become rare.

The streams of the Chikoya and Khilka basins belong to the mountain and foothill types and are characterized by a rather poor and uniform composition of ichthyofauna - 5-15 species, among which salmon, grayling and cyprinids prevail.

The peculiarity of the mountain fish community of the river. Chikoy - a very large share of salmon and grayling (84%) in the total ichthyomass. Lenok prevails (50%). Black Baikal grayling, Baikal whitefish and perch are also noted here. Five fish species in the Baikal basin are officially listed as endangered, so the populations of lenok, grayling, whitefish, which can be monitored on the Chikoy and Khilok rivers, should be used as indicators of the state of well-being or degradation of aquatic ecosystems.

The biosphere and national economic significance of the water bodies in the north of Transbaikalia is very significant. In connection with the intensive economic development of the territory, significant changes have occurred in the composition of the fish fauna: a decrease in the number of valuable fish species, a decrease in growth and fertility rates are observed.

There are 442 freshwater lakes in the region. They are located mainly in groups in the basins of large rivers or are confined to tectonic depressions. Deep-water lakes Bol. and Mal. Leprindo, Leprindokan, Davatchan, Nichatka are characterized by low productivity and low temperatures. It is inhabited by grayling, whitefish, lenok, burbot, as well as a rare relict species of arctic char, or davatchan. In all lakes of the Chkalovskaya and Ivano-Arakhleiskaya groups, perch, crucian carp, roach are found. In the lakes Arakhley, Shaksha, Ivan, pike is also common, from non-commercial species - spined and minnow. The fish of the Torey Lakes are mainly represented by goldfish and loach. However, the water regime of these lakes is unstable, and they are not of great importance for fishery.

The fauna of invertebrates in the rivers and lakes of the region is rich and diverse. Benthos (bottom dwellers) of the rivers of the Upper Amur basin, Chikoya and Khilka are represented mainly by larvae of caddis flies, mayflies, stoneflies, midges, horseflies, beetles, and mosquitoes. Most fish feed on these massive invertebrate species. The lakes of the Ivano-Arakhlei group are inhabited by benthic animals widespread in fresh water bodies. The following groups were encountered: small-bristled worms (oligochaetes), leeches, molluscs, crustaceans, bedbugs, larvae of mosquito-bellies (chironomids), mayflies, caddis flies, dragonflies, flyflies, water beetles, lepidoptera (more than 100 species in total). The zoobenthos of many lakes is dominated by chironomids and mollusks. The greatest species diversity of chironomids (50 species) is noted in the lake. ... Basically, they are inherent in all lakes, however, each water body is characterized by a specific combination of dominant species. Being the main filter feeders in water bodies, zooplankton organisms play a huge role in the self-purification of water. Many species of animals living in Transbaikalia need protection. Thus, 25 species of mammals, 57 - birds, 4 - reptiles, 1 - amphibians, 7 - fish, 2 - molluscs, 68 - insects are included in the "Red Book of the Chita Region and the Aginsky Buryat Autonomous Okrug". The distribution of some of them is shown on the map of rare animal species.

Lit .: Pavlov E. & nbspI. Birds and animals of the Chita region. - Chita, 1948; he is. Game animals of the Chita region. - Chita, 1949; he is. Naturalist notes from observations of seasonal phenomena nature of the Chita region. - Chita, 1959; Geller S. & nbspY., Grebenshchikov O. & nbspC., Dzerdzeevsky O. & nbspC. and others. Cisbaikalia and Transbaikalia. - M., 1965; Izmailov I. & nbsp Birds of the Vitim plateau. - Ulan-Ude, 1967; A. Kurentsov & nbsp Entomofauna of mountain regions of the Far East of the USSR. - M., 1967; A. Kurentsov & nbsp Butterflies of the Far East of the USSR. - L., 1970; Izmailov I. & nbspV., Borovitskaya G. & nbspK. Birds of southwestern Transbaikalia. - Vladimir, 1973; Kuznetsov B. & nbspА. Keys to vertebrates of the fauna of the USSR. - M., t.1, 1974; vol. 2, 1974; vol. 3, 1975; Shkatulova A. & nbspP., Karasev G. & nbspL., Khundanov L. & nbspE. Amphibians and reptiles of Transbaikalia. - Ulan-Ude, 1978; Catalog of mammals of the USSR. - L., 1981; The Red Book of the USSR (ed. A. & nbsp M. Borodin, A. & nbsp G. Bannikov, etc.). - M., 1984; The Red Book of the RSFSR (ed. A. & nbsp G. Bannikov, R. & nbsp L. Boehme, etc.). - M., 1985; Zatravkin M. & nbspN., Bogatov V. & nbspV. Large bivalve molluscs of fresh and brackish waters of the Far East of the USSR. - Vladivostok, 1987; Karasev G. & nbspL. Fish of Transbaikalia. - Novosibirsk, 1987; Afonin A. & nbspV., Vakhrusheva Z. & nbspP., Vershinin N. & nbspM., Isakova T. & nbspT., Kardash A. & nbspI., Korsun O. & nbspV., Krivenkova I. & nbspF., Markova L. & nbspP., Mironova V . & nbspE., Nazarova E. & nbspI., Ogorodnikova L. & nbspI., Romanova N. & nbspG., Sklyarova L. & nbspP., Khamaganov S. & nbspА. Fauna of Eastern Transbaikalia. Tutorial... - Chita, 1997.

From the history of the Trans-Baikal Territory

The development of Transbaikalia began in the middle of the 7th century. Not far from the confluence of the Ingoda and Chita rivers, the Cossack detachment founded the first fortifications. Soon a whole system of forts arose here, the Cossacks settled not only in the valleys of the Selenga, Ingoda, Shilka, but also on the right banks of the Amur and Argun. The extreme southeastern outpost of the new Cossack settlements was the Argun prison. Thus, Transbaikalia turned out to be the territory of Russian politics, which was extremely displeasing to neighboring China, which had its own views on the lands of Dauria - that is how Transbaikalia and the Amur region were generally called at that time.

In the 1680s, the 12,000-strong Chinese army went to war on Dauria, planning to completely annex it to their territory. But as a result of the signing of the Treaty of Nerchinsk in August 1689, the Chinese had to be content with only the right bank of the Argun River. It was along it that a new border passed, and all Russian buildings from the right bank were moved to the left. The further formation of the border of Transbaikalia went on in the 18th century, when China began to lay claim to the lands of the whole of Southern Siberia.

In 1727, the Burin Treaty was concluded, according to it, the border between Russia and China stretched from the Abagaitu hill to the Shamin-Dabag pass in Altai. Under Catherine II, Transbaikalia became part of the Irkutsk governorship. The Trans-Baikal Region on the territory of the Irkutsk province was formed in 1851 by the decree of Emperor Nicholas I. By the same decree, Chita was given the status of a city. Later, the transfer of the borders of the present Transbaikalia took place several more times - in connection with the division of this territory into different districts and regions and their unification into new municipal units.

In the 19th century, the first gold-bearing placers were discovered in Transbaikalia, which gave rise to industrial gold mining. Among the attractions of Transbaikalia there are many reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, thermal springs, picturesque lakes, mountain peaks and caves, as well as historical and architectural sites. For example, the Archangel Michael Church in Chita is a monument of wooden architecture of the 18th century. Now the museum "Church of the Decembrists" is opened in its building, where their documents, books, personal belongings are kept. Also interesting are the Konduisky town - a monument of the Mongolian period of Transbaikalia; Mount Alkhanay - one of the five sacred peaks of northern Buddhism; the natural biosphere reserve "Daursky" with the bitter-salty Torey lakes - the remains of the Protoraya Sea.

In the vicinity of the village of Kyra, the sites of the ancient people of the Stone Age with the first smithies have been preserved. Another “attraction” of the region that tourists seek to bring home is local honey. The Beekeeper's Day of the Trans-Baikal Territory, annually celebrated on August 14, is a national holiday here. City Day in Chita is celebrated on the last Sunday in May.

Geography and climatic conditions

Located in Eastern Transbaikalia. It borders on the Buryat and Yakut republics, the Irkutsk and Amur regions, Mongolia and China. The Trans-Baikal Territory stretches about a thousand kilometers from north to south and 800-1500 kilometers from west to east. The main rivers are the Baikal, Lena and Amur basins.

A significant part of Transbaikalia belongs to the taiga zone, bordering in the south with forest-steppe and dry steppes. The mountain-hollow relief determines the intertwining of horizontal zoning and high-mountainous zoning of landscapes. The low mountains and plains of the southeastern Transbaikalia and part of the depressions are occupied by cereal-forb steppes. The outskirts of intermontane depressions and the lower part of mountain slopes up to 1200 m are covered with mountain forest-steppe (birch, larch and aspen forests alternate with steppes), from 1200 to 1900 m there is mountain taiga with a predominance of Daurian larch. Siberian cedar is found, above 1600 m thickets of dwarf cedar, lichen tundra begin, in the southern part of Transbaikalia - larch-birch and pine forests.

The climate of Transbaikalia is severe, sharply continental. Already in October, an increased atmosphere pressure... The winter in the intermontane basins is low-cloud and dry, there is little precipitation, and the duration of sunshine here is longer than in Yalta and Kislovodsk. Even weak winds are rare at this time.

In these conditions earth surface loses a lot of heat as a result of radiation, which explains the temperature inversions and the prevalence of persistent frosts. Average January temperatures vary from -23 ° in the south of the region to -30 -33 ° in the north and southeast, and the absolute minimums reach -50 -58 °. Summer is warm here, even hot in places.

The average July temperature in the flat areas in the south of the region is from 19 to 21-22 °, but on some days the heat reaches 35-40 °. At an altitude of 1500-2000 m, July temperatures are 10-14 °, and frosts occur even in July and August.

In the steppe regions of the Trans-Baikal region, there is 200-300 mm / year of precipitation, in the mountain-taiga belt - about 350-450 mm. 60-70% of their annual amount falls on the warm season, mainly in July and August, when there are heavy rains.

In spring and June, rains are rare, and therefore droughts are observed in the steppe regions. In winter, no more than 5-8% of the annual precipitation falls in intermontane basins; the thickness of the snow cover is not very great even in the mountain taiga, and in some steppe basins of Eastern Transbaikalia it is only 5-10 cm.

Administrative-territorial structure and population

The population of the Trans-Baikal Territory, according to the preliminary results of the 2010 All-Russian Population Census, as of October 14, 2010, is 1,106.6 thousand people (1,099.4 thousand people according to 2012 data), 0.8% of the population of Russia. The population density as of October 14, 2010 is 2.6 people per 1 sq. km (in Russia, the population density is 8.4 people per 1 sq. km).

The main settlement zone covers the central, southern and southeastern parts of the Trans-Baikal Territory. The most densely populated (9-13 people / km2) is the strip along the railway and along the Ingoda, Shilka and Onon river valleys. The population density is somewhat lower in the Onon-Borzinsky and Aginsky steppes. In the south-west of the region, the population is located along the valleys of the Khilok and Chikoy rivers, in the northern regions the population density is low.

The Trans-Baikal Territory is inhabited by representatives of more than 120 nationalities, incl. Russians, Buryats, Tatars, Ukrainians, Belarusians, etc. The Aginsky Buryat District is populated mainly by Buryats (54.9%, the average population density is 4.2 people / km2) and Russians (about 40%). In the north, in the Vitim and Olekma basin, the Evenks and Yakuts live.

The Trans-Baikal Territory includes 31 administrative districts, 10 cities, 41 urban-type settlements, 28 villages, 750 rural settlements... The administrative center is the city of Chita, located 6074 km east of Moscow. The Trans-Baikal Territory is included in the eighth time zone, the time difference with Moscow is +6 hours.

The largest city is the regional center of Chita (325.3 thousand people). Other cities have a significantly smaller population: Krasnokamensk (55.7 thousand people), Borzya (31.4 thousand people), Petrovsk-Zabaikalsky (18.5 thousand people), Baley (12.5 thousand people). All cities and many urban-type settlements are administrative centers of districts.

Number of municipalities by type:

Municipalities, total - 418

Municipal districts - 31

Urban districts - 4

Settlements - 383

incl. urban - 45, rural - 338

Diversified complex of the regional economy

Among the subjects Russian Federation the economy of the Trans-Baikal Territory ranks 51st out of 82 regions. The GRP of the Trans-Baikal Territory in 2011 was estimated at 187.4 billion rubles, or 104.8% of the 2010 level. In the GRP structure, the largest share is occupied by transport and communications (over 35%), industry (over 20%), agriculture, hunting and forestry (9%), construction (7%). The economically active population is 541.3 thousand people.

The industry is represented by 1269 organizations employing 52.2 thousand people or 9.6% of the economically active population of the region.

The volume of industrial production in 2011 was 106.3% against the level of 2010. Basic types economic activity industries are mining; production and distribution of electricity, gas and water; in manufacturing - metallurgical production, production of machinery and equipment and production food products... Their aggregate share in the total structure of industrial production of the region is more than 90 percent.

The volume of agricultural products in farms of all categories in 2011 increased by 2.4% compared to 2010.

Originality natural conditions region has historically determined the characteristics of the agricultural sector. The main agricultural specialization of the region is animal husbandry.

The leading and promising industries are beef cattle breeding, sheep breeding and herd horse breeding. Sheep breeding is represented by the breeding of the Transbaikalian fine-wool sheep breed. In beef cattle breeding, the gene pool of the Hereford, Kalmyk, Kazakh white-headed cattle breeds has been preserved.

The housing stock of the region in 2011 totaled more than 21.5 million square meters, on average there was 19.5 square meters of housing per inhabitant. In 2011, 277 thousand square meters of total living space were commissioned.

Investment potential

The basic investment projects attracting the largest share of investments were the Southern Pass (reconstruction of a section of the Trans-Baikal Railway from Karymskaya to Zabaikalsk), an investment project "Creation of transport infrastructure for the development of mineral resources in the southeast of the Trans-Baikal Territory", implemented with state support at the expense of The Investment Fund of the Russian Federation and with the attraction of funds from OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel, the mining industry.

The creation of a mining complex in the north of the region (BAM zone) is strategically important for improving the economy of the Trans-Baikal Territory.

Transport infrastructure

The length of public roads with hard surface is 14.65 thousand km. The main highways run in the central and southeastern regions of the region, providing access to the Trans-Siberian Railway.

The length of the railways of the Trans-Baikal Territory is 2.4 thousand km. The railway network is represented by the Zabaikalsky section Trans-Siberian Railway and the Baikal-Amur Mainline.

There is an international airport in Chita, besides there is an airport in the village of Chara (Kalarsky district). Cross-polar air routes pass through the territory of the region (over the water area of \u200b\u200bthe Arctic Ocean).

Currently, the Chita customs office operates on the territory of the region, under which there are 12 customs posts.

The Zabaikalsk railway checkpoint is the largest overland checkpoint on the route of cargo traffic from Russia to China and back.

The automobile checkpoint "Zabaikalsk" serves up to 50 % the passage of land cargo and passengers in road traffic between Russia and China.

Natural resources

The Trans-Baikal Territory is one of the regions with a fairly high resource potential (mineral, raw materials, water, forest and land).

The depths of the region contain 94% of the explored uranium reserves of the Russian Federation, 36% - fluorspar, 37.2% - zirconium, 23.8% - copper, 30.5% - molybdenum, 22.7% - titanium, 14.4% - silver, 8.5% - lead, 7% - gold, there are also reserves of tungsten, tin, lithium, zinc and iron ores.

On the territory of the Trans-Baikal Territory, 23 industrial coal deposits and several dozen coal occurrences with total reserves of 6.9 billion tons have been identified. The Apsatskoye and Chitkandinskoye coal deposits have a high gas content. The total reserves of methane in coal beds reach 63-65 billion cubic meters. m.

The region has significant timber reserves (forest area - 30 million hectares).

Flora and fauna of the Trans-Baikal Territory

Plants

Due to the variety of natural conditions, the vegetation of the region is distinguished by a complex and variegated composition. It contains 3 latitudinal zones: forest (middle and southern taiga), forest-steppe and steppe. The mountainous relief determines the manifestation of vertical zonation with the addition of subalpine (subalpine) and alpine (alpine) vegetation.

The flora of the region includes more than 1700 higher vascular plants. It includes: boreal Holarctic, Eurasian, South Siberian, Central Asian, East Asian, Manchu-Daurian species. Among them, valuable medicinal, fodder, food, technical and ornamental plants are widely represented. For most of them, with the exception of trees and shrubs, resources were not counted, although some of these species are intensively used.

There are significant areas of berry lands with productivity (yield) in some areas - blueberries up to 1000 kg / ha (average economic yield - 110 kg / ha), lingonberries - up to 625 kg / ha (average economic yield 137 kg / ha).

36 species of medicinal plants are harvested, most of all - the leaves and shoots of lingonberry, wild rosemary, thyme, or thyme, as well as the fruits of hawthorn and bird cherry, berry roots.

The volume of procurements of other species is much less, but among them there are rare and relatively rare species - Ural licorice, pink radiola, milky-flowered peony, as well as species that are original for the Trans-Baikal Territory, whose raw materials are concentrated only here: Pallas or Fischer's euphorbia, skullcap Baikal, astragalus membranous.

Animals

The fauna numbers over 500 species of vertebrates, including over 80 species of mammals (3 species have been acclimatized: muskrat, European hare and American mink), more than 330 species of birds, 5 species of amphibians and 6 species of reptiles.

The level of knowledge of the regional fauna remains low. For most of the territory, the complete species composition mammals and birds, not to mention invertebrates, many of which have not yet been recorded. The situation is no better with the study of the massive valuable fur and ungulate animals that make up the basis of the hunting industry.

Some vertebrates are classified as rare and endangered animals. The most vulnerable and poorly studied in the region are: bighorn sheep, gazelle, otter, manul, weasel, hare, tarbagan, black-capped marmot, Manchurian and Daurian zokors, Daurian hedgehog.

Various commercial structures are being formed aimed at the predatory use of wildlife resources. This is accompanied by an increase in the volume of poaching, illegal purchase and extraction of medicinal and technical raw materials of animal origin (musk deer, deer antlers, antlers, bear bile, etc.).

The ichthyofauna of the Amur is represented by 23-28 fish species. Nowadays, the catches rarely include grub horse, Amur catfish, carp, and very rarely - lenok, taimen and grayling. The endemic species of the Amur Basin - kaluga, Amur sturgeon and whitefish hadars - practically disappeared from the ichthyofauna. Compared to the Middle and Lower Amur, the ichthyofauna of the upper reaches is 3-4 times poorer.

The basic fish species in Ingoda, Shilka, Onon and Argun are taimen, lenok, grayling. However, only in the upper reaches of the Ingoda they are numerous and their share reaches 30-40% of the catches. Downstream of the river. Ingoda is experiencing significant anthropogenic pressure, especially in the Chita region.

The fish productivity of the rivers in the Amur basin is approximately 12-55 kg / ha, the average for Shilka is 27.3, and for tributaries (below the city of Sretensk) - 31.4 kg / ha.

The ichthyocenoses of the Khilok and Chikoy rivers (basin of Lake Baikal) with their tributaries have been poorly studied; knowledge about them is fragmentary. The streams of the rivers belong to the mountain and foothill types and are characterized by a rather poor and homogeneous composition of ichthyofauna (5-15 species); salmon, grayling and cyprinids predominate.

A feature of the mountain ichthyocenosis of the Chikoy River is a very large proportion of salmon and grayling (84%).

Black Baikal grayling is found in mountain watercourses, Baikal whitefish and perch - in foothills. The ichthyomass of the main commercial fish species ranges from 16.6 to 21.9 kg / ha.

The rivers of the Lena basin (Vitim, Olekma, etc.) are the least studied in terms of fisheries.

In connection with the construction of the BAM, more than others attention was paid to the rivers of promising areas of development, in particular the Chara River. It and its tributaries are typical grayling-rolls and act as spawning and feeding reservoirs. Common species are grayling, roll and lenok. The fish productivity of the river is 5-7 kg / ha.