Natural heritage lake baikal. Protected by unesco world heritage: lake baikal (russia)

11.10.2019

Lake Baikal. Vicinity of Peschanaya Bay

2016 marked the 20th anniversary of the inclusion of Lake Baikal in the List of the World natural heritage... This happened on December 5, 1996 by the decision of the 20th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in the Mexican city of Merida. Russia has submitted an application for the inclusion of Lake Baikal in the World Natural Heritage List.

To be included in the World Natural Heritage List, a candidate property must meet at least one of four criteria:

to be an outstanding example representing the main stages of the development of the Earth, including evidence of ancient life, significant geological processes in the stage of formation of landforms, geomorphological and physiographic elements that are of great importance; or
be an outstanding example representing ecological and biological evolutionary processes, the development of ecosystems and terrestrial, river, coastal and marine communities of plants and animals; or
present natural phenomenon or a territory of exceptional aesthetic value; or
contain habitats of the most representative and important for conservation biological diversity of species, including those habitats where species of outstanding global scientific and conservation importance and threatened with extinction are preserved.

Baikal satisfied all four. Of the thousands of natural sites on the List, just over a dozen satisfy four criteria.

The decision adopted by the UNESCO Committee noted:

“Lake Baikal is a classic case of a World Heritage site that meets all four natural criteria. Baikal itself is the main object of the nomination. The features of the lake, hidden to a greater extent from the eyes by water, are of the main value for science and protection. The lake is surrounded by mountain-taiga landscapes and specially protected natural areas, mainly preserved in their natural state and of additional value. Lake Baikal is a limnological wonder and a territory with the following excellent qualities:

The geological rift system that gave rise to Lake Baikal was formed in the Mesozoic period. Lake Baikal is the oldest and deepest lake on Earth. Various tectonic forces still continue to operate, as evidenced by the outflow of thermal flows from the depths of the lake.
The evolution of aquatic organisms, which took place throughout this long period, led to the formation of a unique endemic flora and fauna. Lake Baikal is the "Galapagos Islands of Russia" and is of exceptional value for the study of evolution.
The picturesque landscape around the Baikal basin with mountain ranges, boreal forests, tundra, lakes, islands and steppes provides an exceptionally picturesque environment of Lake Baikal. Baikal is the largest reservoir fresh water on Earth (20% of all world reserves), which additionally characterizes it as a unique phenomenon.
Lake Baikal is one of the most biodiverse lakes on Earth, it is home to 1340 animal species (745 are endemic) and 570 plant species (150 are endemic). In the forests surrounding the lake, there are 10 plant species listed in the IUCN Red Data Book, and the full range of typical boreal species is represented. "

When Baikal was included in the World Natural Heritage List, the Russian leadership was given special recommendations.

Cultural criteria: vii, viii, ix, x
Year of inclusion in the List world heritage: 1996

One of the largest World Natural Heritage sites is a gigantic area (8.8 million hectares) located in the south Eastern Siberia, near the border with Mongolia. In the center of this area, at an altitude of 456 m above sea level, there is the water area of Lake Baikal, and its outer borders are mainly outlined by the so-called "first catchment", i.e. we are talking about a huge "bowl" limited by high mountain ranges- Khamar-Daban, Primorsky, Baikalsky, Barguzinsky, Ulan-Burgasy, etc.

Baikal holds the world championship in several important parameters at once. So, this is the oldest freshwater body of water on our planet - its age is usually determined at 25 million years. Further, Baikal, which occupies a huge ancient graben (tectonic fault) belonging to one of the world's largest rift systems, is recognized as the deepest lake in the world - its maximum depth mark is 1620 m. And in terms of its overall size, Baikal is also among the largest lakes in the world. : it has a length of 636 km, and its water surface extends over an area of 3.15 million hectares (in Russia this is large lake, in the world - in 6th place). Baikal contains a gigantic volume of fresh water - about 20% of all world reserves. The transparency of the Baikal waters is also striking - individual objects are visible at a depth of 40 m.The lake is distinguished by the richest and most unusual freshwater life: of the several thousand species and varieties of plants and animals inhabiting this lake, 3/4 are recognized as endemic, which by world standards is exclusively high rate. Among the endemics are such key elements of the lake ecosystem as Epishura crustacean, Baikal omul and seal (Baikal seal), as well as viviparous fish - golomyanka plus a number of rare forms of aquatic invertebrates (sponges, amphipods, etc.).

Baikal is a valuable fishery reservoir: out of 50 fish species, 17 are of great commercial value; This list, which begins with the most famous Baikal omul, also includes sturgeon, whitefish, grayling, ide, carp, etc.

Finally, Baikal is famous for its beauty, which attracts tourists to its shores from all over the country and from abroad; it is one of the most popular regions in all of Russia. ecological tourism(observation of animals, study trails), as well as sports (mountain and water trips) and commercial (collection of gifts from the taiga, hunting and fishing). There are many picturesque bays, excellent beaches, the shores are decorated with bizarre cliffs and rocky outcrops. Water excursions are carried out along the lake (including on several large cruise ships), and along the southwestern coast you can ride along the old Circum-Baikal railway (1904), with a lot of tunnels and bridges, which is a real monument of engineering art. On the shores of Lake Baikal (which was discovered by Russian pioneers in mid XVII c.) traces of settlements from the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages, ancient burials, there are many interesting monuments of history and culture. At present, the Great Baikal Trail (GBT) is being designed around the entire Baikal.

A significant part of the Baikal coastline is occupied by various specially protected areas, which form around the lake a kind of “reserved necklace”. This "necklace" includes three reserves - Barguzinsky (Buryatia, northeastern coast, Barguzinsky ridge, area 374.3 thousand hectares, created in 1916, has the status of a biosphere reserve), Baikalsky (Buryatia, southern coast, Khamar ridge -Daban, 165.7 thousand hectares, 1969, biosphere reserve) and Baikal-Lensky (Irkutsk region, northwestern coast, Baikal ridge, the headwaters of the Lena River, 660 thousand hectares, 1986). These are also two national parks - the Pribaikalsky (Irkutsk region, all the western and southwestern shores of the lake, the Primorsky ridge region, including the Olkhon island and the Angara sources; 418 thousand hectares, 1986) and the Zabaikalsky (Buryatia, eastern coast, Barguzinsky ridge, Svyatoy Nos peninsula, Lake Arangatui, Barguzinsky and Chivyrkuisky bays, Ushkany islands, 267 thousand hectares, 1986). 1/10 of the territory of the Tunkinsky national park, in Buryatia. The "protected necklace" also includes a number of wildlife sanctuaries and natural monuments, including two federal sanctuaries - on Lake Frolikha and Kabansky (the latter is in the Selenga delta, a wetland of international importance, protected under the Ramsar Convention). The natural environment of Lake Baikal is remarkable, firstly, in that it performs the most important protective (buffer) function in relation to the water area. It is clear that from ecological state The landscapes surrounding Baikal largely depend on the fate of the lake itself.

Secondly, the natural environment of Lake Baikal is of great value in itself: after all, these are vast forests and swamps, rich fauna and flora, exotic alpine landforms (glacial lakes and circuses, canyons, sharp ridges). The coast and foothills are mainly covered with steppes and forest-steppes, low and middle mountains - with pine, spruce, larch forests, cedars and fir forests, above them are replaced by dwarf cedar, rhododendrons, mountain tundra and loaches.

The flora of the coastal zone of Lake Baikal is represented by more than 800 species of higher plants, including a number of endemic and rare forms (for example, in the Pribaikalsky National Park, rare plants- large-flowered slipper, Turchaninov's meadow, incised violet).

Wild reindeer, maral, elk, musk deer, wild boar, Brown bear, wolf, fox, sable (including the famous Barguzin subspecies), ermine, Siberian weasel, squirrel, chipmunk, tarbagan marmot, otter and muskrat. Large rookeries of the Baikal seal are located on the Ushkany Islands; the total number of this animal on Lake Baikal is now 60-70 thousand.

And among the birds (of which there are about 250 species), we mention, on the contrary, the most rare ones listed in the Red Book of Russia, such as: peregrine falcon, osprey, golden eagle, black crane and white-tailed eagle (the last two are also in the International Red Book). Large concentrations of waterfowl are observed in the area of Lake Arangatui, and in winter - in the non-freezing sources of the Angara. This site is on the UNESCO World Heritage Center website whc.unesco.org/en/list/754

Baikal (Irkutsk region, Buryatia)

The cleanest and, without a doubt, the most beautiful lake Baikal, rightfully took its place in the list .

Baikal is one of the greatest lakes on the planet, lake " superlatives": the deepest (1637 m) and the oldest (about 25 million years), containing the largest number of endemics (more than 1000 species) and representatives of flora and fauna (more than 2600 species) living in fresh water bodies of the Earth. The lake has a unique about "him (23.6 thousand cubic km) and the quality of the supply of fresh water (20% of the world).

The lake lies in the Baikal depression - a bottomless stone bowl surrounded on all sides by mountains. Baikal is a lake of tectonic origin in the southern part of Eastern Siberia, the deepest lake on planet Earth, the largest natural reservoir of fresh water, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lake and coastal areas are distinguished by a unique variety of flora and fauna. Many of the animals, birds and fish of Lake Baikal are endemic, which means that they live only in this ecosystem and are not found anywhere else in the world.

Locals and many in Russia traditionally call Baikal the sea. ButTo No matter how much one would like to call this majestic reservoir of fresh water the sea, it is still a lake, which is surrounded on almost all sides by the most picturesque mountains and hills of extinct volcanoes.

The lake stretches from northeast to southwest for 632 km in the form of a giant crescent. The width of Lake Baikal ranges from 24 to 79.5 km. There is no other lake so deep on earth. The bottom of Lake Baikal is 1167 meters below the level of the World Ocean, and the mirror of its waters is 453 meters higher.

The water in the lake is so transparent that individual stones and various objects can be seen at a depth of 40 m. Such transparency of the water can be observed after the ice melts: usually in early spring the water of Lake Baikal becomes bright of blue color... In summer and autumn, when the water warms up, microplankton and algae begin to develop in it in small quantities: naturally, at this moment it is already quite difficult to distinguish the pitfalls at a depth of 40 meters, however, the transparency is striking even at these times of the year. True, its color changes: it does not turn into muddy green, on the contrary, it becomes pale turquoise.

Diving into the gentle and clear waters of Lake Baikal ... is a dream! True, a dream is only for those who know very little about this lake. The point is that the water here does not warm up even in summer above +9 degrees Celsius. Only in small and shallow bays can one expect that the water will warm up to +16 under the sun. Therefore, swim in Baikal and see underwater world through crystal-clear water is possible only in a diving suit. In winter, the water mirror is almost completely covered with thick ice, so thick that in the 19th century sleepers were installed on the ice and steam locomotives were transported across Lake Baikal with the help of horses. The ice on the lake is an amazing sight: during severe frosts, cracks pass through it, the length of which is sometimes 30 (!)

There is a legend that the father of Baikal had 336 rivers-sons and one daughter - Angara, all of them flowed into her father in order to replenish his water, but his daughter fell in love with the Yenisei River and began to take out the water of her father for her beloved. In response, father Baikal threw a huge piece of rock at his daughter and cursed her. This rock, called the Shaman-stone, is located at the source of the Angara and is considered its beginning.

Baikal is not even an ecosystem, it is the whole world, a world in which everything exists in harmony with each other. It is impossible not to heed the words of P.N. Kozlov, who writes that when a person communicates with nature, he becomes cleaner, his soul becomes whole and sensitive.

A World Natural Heritage site along with other Russian sites: "Virgin Komi Forests", "Volcanoes of Kamchatka", "Golden Mountains of Altai", "Wrangel Island", etc.

The list of World Cultural and Natural Heritage sites includes areas with outstanding global natural resources. In addition, the desire of the country in which this site is located is required to protect and preserve it.

Redesign the BPPM so that it ceases to be a source of pollution;

Reduce the discharge of pollutants into the Selenga;

Allocate additional funds to support the activities of reserves and national parks;

Provide and strengthen support for scientific research and monitoring at Lake ...

Unfortunately, many of these issues have not been resolved to this day. However, one cannot fail to note a number of serious environmental protection measures that have been carried out to date.

Source: ovedenie: textbook. allowance / N. S. Berkin, A. A. Makarov, O. T. Rusinek. - Irkutsk: Publishing house Irk. state university, 2009

- Natural World Heritage Site

On December 5, 1996, by decision of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee at its XX session, held in the Mexican city of Merida, the lake was included as a natural site in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The committee's decision notes: “The lake is a classic case of a World Heritage site that meets all four natural criteria. The lake is located in the central part of the site. The features of the lake, hidden to a greater extent from the eyes by water, are of the main value for science and protection. The lake is surrounded by mountain-taiga landscapes and specially protected natural areas, mainly preserved in their natural state and of additional value.

The lake is a limnological wonder and a territory with the following excellent qualities:

The geological rift system that gave rise to the lake was formed in the Mesozoic period. The lake is the oldest and deepest lake on Earth. Various tectonic forces still continue to operate, as evidenced by the outflow of thermal flows from the depths of the lake.

The evolution of aquatic organisms throughout this long period has led to the formation of an extremely unique endemic fauna and flora. The lake is the "Galapagos Islands of Russia" and is of exceptional value for the study of evolution.

The picturesque landscape around the Baikal basin with mountain ranges, boreal forests, tundra, lakes, islands and steppes provides an exceptionally beautiful lake environment. - the largest reservoir of fresh water on Earth (20% of all world reserves), which additionally characterizes it as a unique phenomenon.

The lake is one of the most biodiverse lakes on Earth, home to 1,340 animal species (745 endemic) and 570 plant species (150 endemic). The forests surrounding the lake contain 10 species of plants listed in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the full complement of typical boreal species is represented ”.

Source: Volkov, S. Po u / Sergey Volkov. - M.: AST: AST Moscow, 2010 .-- 568 p.

Read in

Terms

Tourism (anthropogenic influence)
Assigned to the status of a World Natural Heritage Site
Adoption of the law on e. Ecological zoning of the Russian natural territory
Central ecological zone BPT
Buffer ecological zone
Ecological zone of atmospheric influence
Creation of a network of specially protected natural areas
Complex of other environmental protection measures

Other resources

Natural phenomenon a // Goldfarb S.I.
as a World Heritage Site // Karnyshev A.D.
Baikal // Geography and Natural resources, 1988. No. 2. - S. 31-39.
Grishchenko V.I., Ryabtsev V.V. On the 20th anniversary of the Pribaikalsky National Park: Results, Main Problems // Proceedings of the Pribaikalsky National Park. Issue 2. - Irkutsk: Irkut Publishing House. state University, 2007 .-- S.362-387.

Notes (edit)

Ryashchenko S. V. The site of the world natural heritage "Lake" in the international and national dimensions // Volna. - 2007, No. 1 (45). - S. 40–43.

Baikal. How many times this place flashed in my head when I chose a place to travel, but, unfortunately, I have never been to this wonderful lake. Russia is a huge country and there is a lot of beauty in it. I would call our country a New Year tree, hung with beautiful toys, and on the top of the head there is a large and beautiful star... Yes, the star is Lake Baikal. But why does every Russian, at least once, want to visit there? Even not only our population, but also residents of foreign countries. What attracts everyone? What is the uniqueness of this lake?

Features of the lake

The origin of this lake is tectonic. It is located in the southern part of Eastern Siberia.

The uniqueness of water:

Ecological formula.
Acidity of water.
Melted water energy.
Unique composition of water.
The taste of pure water.

The purest water of all lakes on the planet. Differs from sea water... There are several times less minerals than in other springs. Oxygen saturation.

Baikal is protected by UNESCO.

A unique species of flora and fauna, geological objects. All of them are of great importance to the planet.

The oldest lake, about 30 million years old.

One of the deepest lakes. Its depth is 1637 meters.

The transparency of the water can reach 40 meters.

The eighth wonder of the world or why it is worth visiting Baikal

Definitely, from my point of view, Baikal is one of the wonders of the world. For once in a lifetime, this unique lake is worth a visit. Feel the scale of this planet. Soak up this air. Touch this water. Just enjoy your existence. Here are some reasons why you should visit this unique creation of nature:

Variety of terrain. Colorful landscapes.
There are many interesting myths around this lake.
Local settlement. Interesting culture of the peoples inhabiting this place.
Baikalsk. Ski resort.
Variety of local food.
Flora and fauna.

There is no better place on the planet. Definitely the wonder of this planet.

The scale is amazing. Surprising by nature. Features will discourage. What could be more beautiful than not mother nature. If our planet had a face, it would definitely be Baikal.

This contrast is gathered in one place. Isn't it unique?