Zavitinsky reserve

It is located in the Zavitinsky district of the Amur region of Russia , 3 km north of the village of Verkhneilinovka . The north-western border runs from the top of the Sokhatukha valley along the road to the top of the Second valley and further along the road that goes along the southern edge of the Second valley, until the road adjoins the Zhilovye river; northeastern - from the junction of the road going from the Second valley to the Zhilovye river up the Zhilovye river to its source and further along the Zhilovye valley to its summit; southeast - from the top of the Zhilovye valley to the southwest by road to the Pokrovka tract, then, without changing direction, along the forest road to the village of Verkhneilinovka; southwest - from the village of Verkhneilinovka in a straight line north to the nameless valley and northwest along the valley to the source of the Klyuch river, then down the Klyuch river until it flows into the Zavitaya river, then up the Zavitaya river to the mouth of the nameless key flowing along the valley of the Sokhatukh, and by this key to the source, and further to the top of the valley of the Sokhatukh.

It was created on July 5, 1963 by the decision of the Oblast Executive Committee of the Amur Region No. 304 with the aim of preserving and restoring rare and endangered species of animals, including valuable species in economic, scientific and cultural relations. The security regime and borders were approved by Resolution No. 200 of the Governor of the Amur Region dated April 24, 2006 ^[1] .

The climate in the reserve is continental . The average monthly temperature in January is −30 ºС, in July - 18 ºС. Resistant frosts last for 5 months. The average height of the snow cover is 20 cm, the duration of its occurrence is up to 170 days. The average annual rainfall is 650-700 mm. Relative humidity is 60–80%.

The relief is a slightly rugged plain with absolute heights of up to 260 meters above sea level and wide swampy valleys. Mother rocks are light loam and sandy loam . There are three types of soils: sod-podzolic, sod and swamp.

The poorly developed hydrographic network includes only a 30-kilometer stretch of the Zavitoy River, which flows into the Amur , and the territory of the reserve is located on the fourth terrace of its floodplain .

The reserve is located in the buffer zone of the southern taiga, a large area of ​​the territory is occupied by meadow floodplain coenoses , mainly swamps, and forest plantations go to the outskirts. Forest-forming species - flat birch, Daurian birch , aspen , aromatic poplar , larch Gmelin ; in the undergrowth - willow , hazel variegated , two-colored woodpecker , mountain ash rowan-leaved , dogrose , spirea ; shrub birch , loosestrifera , marsh rosemary are found in damp areas. In plantings, ordinary pine and larch Gmelin prevail.

The fauna is represented by such species of valuable commercial animals and birds as elk , red deer , roe deer , wild boar , bear , squirrel , white hare , lynx , fox , black -headed mink , badger , raccoon dog , hazel grouse , black grouse . Various waterfowl live in the reserve, two residential nests of the Far Eastern black-billed stork recorded in the Red Book of Russia are recorded.

Conservation of habitats of the above species of animals and birds. On the territory of the reserve, any activity that is contrary to the objectives of its creation or that causes harm to natural complexes and their components is prohibited. Threats: poaching, fires, logging.

• Directorate for the Protection and Use of the Wildlife and Specially Protected Natural Areas (Neopr.) (Inaccessible link) . Archived on April 22, 2012.