Pechoro-Ilychsky Biosphere Reserve, Russian Federation

This biosphere reserve is situated approximately 240 km south of the city Pechora on the western slopes of the Northern Ural Mountains. 

Ecological Characteristics

Covering 1,310,622 hectares, the site represents the West Eurasian Taiga with habitats of virgin coniferous forests and, at higher altitudes, subalpine scrub woodlands, meadows, tundra and bear rock areas. The biosphere reserve comprises important winter feeding sites of elk and reindeer as well as spawning, growth and fattening ground of salmon (Salmo salar).

 

 

 

 

Socio-Economic Characteristics

Some 130 people live on a permanent basis in the area (1998) who are either rangers or trade hunters, fishers and tree loggers. The settlement of Yaksha is located close the core area (1,500 inhabitants in 1998). A logging company and the forestry service are the main employers of the inhabitants. Reindeer breeding, hunting, fishing and gathering of berries and mushrooms is traditionally carried out within the biosphere reserve. Tourism plays only a minor role in local economic activities with some 700 national and 20 to 40 foreign visitors a year (1998).

 

 

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Last updated: May 2019