Laplandsky State Reserve is one of the oldest reserves in Russia (at present there are 84 reserves). Established by the government on January 17, 1930 to protect a portion of the European Far North's virgin forests, it is considered to be a model wilderness for its flora and fauna.

In 1985 according to the "Man and Biosphere" program the International Coordinating Board decided to designate Laplandsky Reserve as a member of the network of biosphere reserves on the planet. The total area of the reserve equals 268,436 hectares, and along its eastern border there is a special protective zone of 28,100 hectares which is outside its own territory, but also acts as a regime of protection. The territory is subdivided into 4 management areas (= forestries). Along the reserve borders there are 11 wooden stations where the rangers live.

The reserve is situated in the sub zone of the Northern Taiga. There are mostly coniferous trees on its territory. Due to its geographical location reserve flora is represented by most types of vegetarian communities, characteristic of the Kola Peninsula. Laplandsky Reserve is a unique base for scientific field research of natural specifics of northern forests, their renewal, formation and further growth.

SEVERONIKEL
10 km from the reserve there is a very strong source of pollution - the metallurgical plant "Severonikel". Hence, a main topic of research on the reserve has been devoted to ecological monitoring. For many years "Severonikel" has been one of the worst pollutants of the north. The "tails" of its pollution can be seen in an eastern direction as far away as Wrangel Island ­ 8,000 km away. The whole eastern part of the reserve has suffered from this pollution and since 1985 a portion of this is no longer considered part of the reserve. For about 20 years the influence of pollution on the ecosystems has been investigated by a number of research institutions: the Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow Forestry University, and the Kola affiliate of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

On the reserve scientists make regular countings of birds and animals. Calculations of some animal species are taken and approximations are made based on the whole of the reserve territory or just on the area of dissemination. The number of permanent field establishments reaches nearly 200; the most valuable of them are those which were established in the 1930s and 40s. The catalogue of observations includes 90,000 cards.

Reserve staff members have published 375 scientific articles and 14 books. 327 students from different Universities of the Former USSR and from other countries have done internships here. Annually up to 3,000 people visit Laplandsky Reserve.

Laplandsky Nature Reserve
Zeleny, 8, 184280
Monchegorsk, Murmansk prov. Russia
Tel.: (22267) 40736
Email: root@zap.mgus.murmansk.su


Flora & Fauna

422 species of aboriginal plants that belong to 55 families
15 species of fishes (6 of them belong to the salmon family)
1 species of amphibians
2 species of reptiles
184 species of birds (75% of the total number of species registered on the Kola Peninsula.)
28 species of mammals


Terrain & Climate

52% forests
28% mountain tundra
4% water bodies
18% of the rest of the territory is represented by marshes, curved birches, etc.

The reserve stretches 65 km south-north and 73 km east-west. The relief of the reserve is very intersected. Most of the area is represented by low mountains and large hills. The highest point reaches 1,114 meters above sea level.

The reserve is located in a zone of large temperature contrasts. Comparatively long winters and short cool summers are characteristic of its climate. The growing season for this area is 120-128 days, but in higher elevations that period is naturally shorter. Up to 450 mm of precipitation fall here per year. Snow cover varies from 120 cm on the lakes' ice to 120 cm in spruce forests.