Katun Nature Reserve


Katun Nature Reserve is a Russian zapovednik located in the highlands of the central Altai Mountains of south Siberia. The Katun River runs down through a valley in the reserve, serving as the primary source of the Ob River. The headwaters of the Katun River originate on Mount Belukha, the highest mountain in Siberia at, which is located on the far eastern edge of the preserve. Katun is an internationally important center of biodiversity, forming part of the "Golden Mountains of Altai" UNESCO [World Heritage Site]. Katun Nature Reserve is situated in the Ust-Koksinsky District of Altai Republic.

Topography

The topography of the reserve includes glaciers, alpine tundra, meadows, and forests. Much of the terrain has been formed through glaciation, and there are small lakes, streams, waterfalls, and steep slopes.

Ecoregion and climate

Katun is located in the Altai [alpine meadow and tundra] ecoregion. This ecoregion displays a complete sequence of altitudinal vegetation zones in central Siberia including steppe, forest-steppe, mixed forest, sub-alpine vegetation and alpine vegetation. The region is also an important habitat for endangered the snow leopard and its prey.
The Katun Reserve has an Alpine climate. This indicates a local climate in which at least one month has an average temperature high enough to melt snow, but no month with an average temperature in excess of 10 °C.

Flora and fauna

The reserve features 700 species of plants, 51 mammals, 140 of birds, three types of reptiles and eight fish species. Endangered species include the fawn lily, peony, spleenwort, and, rarely, the snow leopard.

Ecotourism

As a strict nature reserve, the Katun Reserve is mostly closed to the general public, although scientists and those with "environmental education" purposes can make arrangements with park management for visits. There are "ecotourist" routes in the reserve, however, that are open to the public, but require permits to be obtained in advance. The main office is in the town of Ust'-Koksa. Reserve rangers lead ecotourist hikes to Upper Lake Multinskiye, with groups assembling at 11:00 daily in season. There are other ecoroutes, requiring guides, to the headwaters of the Katun River.