Vitim Nature Reserve

The Vitim Reserve is in rugged mountain terrain with deep river valleys. It ascends from Lake Oron in the west to the top of the Kodar Mountain ridge in the south and east of the reserve. The Vitim River runs along the western border of the reserve.

Vitim is located in the East Siberian taiga ecoregion. This ecoregion is located between the Yenisei River and Lena River. Its northern border reaches the Arctic Circle, and its southern border reaches 52°N latitude. The dominant vegetation is light coniferous taiga with Larix gmelinii forming the canopy in areas with low snow cover. This ecoregion is rich in minerals.{{cite web|title=East Siberian taiga|url=http://www.worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa0601|publisher=Encyclopedia of Earth|access-date=January 24, 2016}}{{cite web|title=Map of Ecoregions 2017|url=https://ecoregions2017.appspot.com/|publisher=Resolve, using WWF data|language=en|access-date=September 14, 2019}}

The climate of Vitim is Subarctic climate, dry winter (Köppen climate classification Subarctic climate(Dwc)). This climate is characterized by mild summers (only 1–3 months above {{convert|10|°C|1}}) and cold winters having monthly precipitation less than one-tenth of the wettest summer month.{{cite web|first1=M. |last1=Kottek |first2=J. |last2=Grieser |first3=C. |last3=Beck |first4=B. |last4=Rudolf |first5=F. |last5=Rubel |date=2006 |title=World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated|url=http://koeppen-geiger.vu-wien.ac.at/pdf/Paper_2006.pdf|publisher=Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006|language=en|access-date=September 14, 2019}}{{cite web|title=Dataset - Koppen climate classifications|url=https://datacatalog.worldbank.org/dataset/world-maps-k%C3%B6ppen-geiger-climate-classification|publisher=World Bank|language=en|access-date=September 14, 2019}} Because reserve is in a temperate zone far from the oceans and with mountain terrain, it experiences sharply continental climate. Winter averages 7 months, beginning in October and running through April.

==Flora and fauna==

The plant life of the reserve is highly dependent on altitude. From the river valley floors to about {{convert|1200|m|ft}} is a forest zone of primarily larch trees (Larix gmelinii) and some Scots pine on sandy soils. Forest makes up about 12% of the Vitim Reserve. Above the forest zone from 1200 meters to 1500 meters is a belt of shrub with some birch and cedar; the underbrush is typically golden rhododendron (Kashkarov), currant and willow. This zone makes up about 33% of the reserve. Above this is a sub-alpine zone of tundra and alpine meadow. Here there are dwarf birches, moss, and grasses. Above {{convert|2700|m|ft}} is a bald mountain zone above which the only plant life is a few types of lichen. Scientists on the reserve have recorded 1,085 species of vascular plants.{{cite web|title=Vitim Zapovednik - flora and Fauna|url=http://www.zapoved.ru/catalog/biodiversity/19/%D0%92%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BC%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9-%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%83%D0%B4%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA |publisher=Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (Russia)|language=ru|access-date=March 11, 2016}}

Mammals of the Vitim region include reindeer, moose, elk, bighorn sheep, brown bear, sable; 46 species of mammals have been recorded in the boundaries. About 234 species of birds have been recorded, of which 140 are nesting on the site. Typical birds include Wood grouse (Western capercaillie). Also recorded are 23 species of fish and 4 species of amphibians.

As a strict nature reserve, the Vitim Reserve is mostly closed to the general public, although scientists and those with 'environmental education' purposes can make arrangements with park management for visits. There are several 'ecotourist' routes in the reserve, however, that are open to the public. These require permits to be obtained in advance. The main office is in the city of Bodayo.

==See also==

• List of Russian Nature Reserves (class 1a 'zapovedniks')
• National Parks of Russia

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.zapoved.ru/catalog/media/19/%D0%92%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BC%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9-%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%83%D0%B4%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA Photo Gallery of Vitim Nature Reserve]
• [http://irkobl.ru/sites/baikal/monitoring/kadastr/oopt/vitim/map.jpg Map of Vitim Reserve (Official)]
• [http://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/2180605 Map of Vitim Reserve, OpenStreetMap]

{{Russian Zapovedniks}}

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Category:Nature reserves in Russia

Category:1982 establishments in Russia

Category:Protected areas established in 1982

Category:Geography of Irkutsk Oblast

Category:Zapovednik