SOUTH URAL

SOUTH URAL, the largest reserve of federal value in the Bashkir (Southern) Urals of area 252.8 thous. ha (in the territory of the RB — 228.4 thous. ha) within the territory of Beloretsky Raion of the RB and Chelyabinsk Oblast. It was organized to preserve mountain taiga spruce and fir forests, alpine ecosystems and swamps (1979). Yamantau Mountain is located in the territory of the reserve. The relief is represented by mountains, in the W and SW — by low mountains (Belyagush, Belyatur, Yusha, and other ridges), in central, north and east p. — by medium mountains (Zigalga, Kyumerdyak, Mashak, Yamantau, and other ridges). There is an altitudinal zonation of landscapes on the ridges. There are swamps in intermountain depressions, there are “hanging” swamps on the steep slopes. Flora accounts for approx. 665 species of higher vascular plants, incl. 172 — mosses, 169 — lichens, 88 — fungi.

There are endemics and relicts. 63 rare plant species and lichens are included in The Red List of the RB, 19 of which are included in The Red List of the RF. Fauna accounts for more than 275 species of vertebrata, including 18 — fish, 5 — amphibians, 5 — reptiles, 179 — birds, 48 — mammals, etc. 23 rare animal species are included in The Red List of the RB, 18 of which are included in The Red List of the RF.