This is a cluster biosphere reserve covering a total of 126,700 hectares next to the border with Mongolia, 700 km south-east of Lake Baikal. Situated in the Mongolian-Manchurian Steppe biogeographic region, the area covers vast steppes and pine forests on elevations ranging from 598 to 769 meters above sea level.
Description
Map
Surface : 209,314 ha
- Core area(s): 45,784 ha
- Buffer zone(s): 163,530 ha
- Transition zone(s): N/A
Location: 49°55’-50°30N, 115°05-115°98 E
Administrative Authorities
Daursky
76 Komsomolskaya Str.
v. Nizhny Tsasuchey, Ononsky District,
Russian Federation
Tel.: +7 (302-52)-7-15-59
Email: onon_daur@casuchey.chita.ru
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Ecological Characteristics
The main types of habitats are wetlands of the Torey hollow (open spaces of lakes, near-shore parts overgrown with reeds, boggy meadows and reeded shallow waters in the delta of the Uldza and Imalka rivers); steppe sites of dry and genuine Dauria steppes; small forest-steppe parts of Tsasuchey pine forest. Crops and plough-lands occupy small areas only in the buffer zone of the reserve. Their area changes depending on the climatic situation: thus, at the beginning of a droughty period the number of arable fields decreases multiply.
Sodic lakes (e.g. Barun-Toney Lake) and wetlands lying in ancient tectonic depressions are of particular interest for the bird life: 308 species of birds have been identified, many of which are endangered. The climate is extremely continental with winter temperatures falling to -40°C and the summers with +40°C.
Socio-Economic Characteristics
The local population was traditionally occupied in stock-breeding, mainly sheep-raising (both for meat and wool). In the late 20-th century the amount of agricultural animals decreased considerably. At present the share of cattle and horses has increased. Two small herds of camels have remained. In droughty periods the number of animals decreases due to feeds lack. Up to the early 1990s large areas within the buffer zone were ploughed for crops. With the beginning of a dry period the productivity of crops falls drastically, that is why now only separate fields are sowed. On the reserve’s initiative in the buffer zone sites for hobby fishing are organized on the shore of the Torey lakes. The fishing is licensed.
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Last updated: May 2019