Lapland Biosphere Reserve
Coordinates: 67°49′N 32°28′E / 67.817°N 32.467°E
Lapland Biosphere Reserve (Russian: Лапландский заповедник) is a zapovednik in Murmansk Oblast, Russia, beyond the Arctic Circle, occupying an area of 2,784 km² (1,075 sq mi) to the northwest of Lake Imandra, including 86 km² of inland water. Most of the territory is covered by northern taiga and montane tundra with the highest point on Mount Ebruchorr (1115 m a.s.l.).
The Lapland Nature Reserve was established in 1930. However, in 1951 along with many other zapovedniks of the Soviet Union it was abolished. It was reestablished in 1957, but in 1961-1965 was merged to Kandalaksha Nature Reserve. In 1983 the 1,613 km² area of the Lapland Nature Reserve was significantly expanded to include 1,296 km² of territories to the northwest, farther from the polluting influence of the Monchegorsk nickel smelter, and the zapovednik gave away 124 km² near the city. Since 1985 the zapovednik has been designated by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve.
The reserve has a subarctic climate (Köppen's Dfc). However, it is free of permafrost. The predominant tree species are Pinus sylvestris subsp. lapponica, Picea obovata, Betula pendula, B. pubescens subsp. subarctica and B. pubescens subsp. tortuosa. Among animals, wild reindeer has been the main subject to studies and protection.
External links
- Official site (in Russian)
- Laplandskiy Biosphere Reserve @ UNESCO - MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory
References
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