Ussurisky Nature Reserve, Nature reserve in Primorsky Krai, Russia
The Ussurisky Nature Reserve is a protected area in Primorsky Krai, Russia, covering 40,432 hectares of mountain terrain in the southern Przhevalsky Mountains, with peaks reaching up to 900 meters (2,950 feet), forested slopes, rivers, and valleys. A natural history museum opened in 1997 displays zoological specimens and dioramas that show the biodiversity of the region.
The reserve was founded in 1934 by the USSR Academy of Sciences and named after botanist Vladimir Komarov, who led explorations of the area and initiated its creation. Conservation measures were expanded over the decades to protect the habitat of endangered species in the southern Przhevalsky Mountains.
The protected zone preserves old-growth forests and habitats that now support field research on endangered species, including the Amur tiger and Himalayan black bear. Scientists from different countries visit the area to conduct long-term monitoring and population studies that inform conservation efforts across the region.
Visitors can explore the natural history museum, which features zoological specimens and dioramas that provide an overview of the region's wildlife and plant life. Access to the wider reserve is limited and often requires permission, as the area is primarily dedicated to research and species protection.
The reserve contains 868 species of vascular plants, 1,300 species of fungi, and 62 species of mammals within its forested mountain ecosystem. This exceptional diversity makes the area one of the most biologically rich zones in the Russian Far East.
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