The stone steppe is a nature reserve covering an area of ​​5232.00 hectares. It is located in the Voronezh region in the Talovsky district on the watershed of two rivers bearing the names of the Bityug and Khopra.

The first settlers in this area appeared in early XVIII century At that time there was an untouched steppe, partly occupied by forest belts. By the end of the 19th century, due to deforestation, destruction of animals, plowing of virgin lands and grazing, the rivers became shallow, the land became barren, the climate changed: in summer - severe drought and dry winds, in winter - strong snowstorms. As a result, the fields of the peasants burned to the ground in the summer. In those years, due to droughts, a famine began, which claimed thousands of lives in the graves. Then the steppe was called among the people Stone.

In 1892, its restoration began thanks to scientists led by V.V. Dokuchaev. They suggested planting forest belts along fields, ravines and ravines, as well as along river banks, and a system of artificial ponds was created to mitigate the climate. Since 1885, the organization of deposits began. What is a deposit? This is a plowed piece of land (arable land), which was previously used, but then for several years, starting in autumn, was not cultivated and was not used for sowing crops to restore its fertility.

Since 1912, the deposits of the reserve have been in an untouched state to view the growth dynamics of the vegetation cover. And since 1996, the Kamennaya Steppe has received the status of a state nature reserve of federal significance.

At present, the reserve is pure ponds, fields bordered by forest belts and untouched deposits for more than a hundred years. Dozens of different animals, hundreds of bird species, more than 800 species of various plants live here, not counting those that were planted by people. Valuable natural objects and sights are: the landscape complex "Khorolskaya beam", the landscape complex "Sukhoprudnaya beam", the upper reservoir (Dokuchaevskoe sea), the system of old-growth Dokuchaev forest belts and a colony of marmots - marmots.


Sights of Voronezh

According to scientists, the first settlements on this territory appeared in the 18th century. Before that, the place was absolutely free and untouched by man.

In the 19th century in the present territory Stone steppe (Voronezh region) began massive deforestation, forking fish and the destruction of animals. As a result of such destructive actions, the land became infertile, and both rivers became sweet.

Drought and famine then awaited all the villages that were nearby. Since then, the name stone steppe.

Scientists led by V.V. could not allow the complete destruction of the territory. Dokuchaev. Beginning in 1892, they took up the work that saved Stone steppe. Voronezh region again was able to be proud of the beauty of their lands. Scientists planted several forest belts along beams and rivers. The creation of deposits was organized. These are, in fact, those plowed parts that should subsequently turn into fertile fields.

In 1996 Stone steppe of the Talovsky district of the Voronezh region received the status of a federal reserve.

Thousands of people come here every year to enjoy the clean air and incredible natural scenery of this place. Here you can meet dozens various kinds animals, hundreds of different birds. More than 800 species of various plants grow beautifully in the reserve. Stone steppe (Talovaya) can be proud of numerous valuable objects, including Khorolskaya beam, Dokuchaevskoe sea and others.

Photo and video

Due to the plowing of primary virgin lands, deforestation, unregulated grazing in the remaining steppe areas, the destruction of animals and birds led to the shallowing of rivers, the removal of soil along with snow by winter winds, to the appearance of hot dry winds in summer, and the death of crops.

Natural conditions of the Stone Steppe

Geographical position

The Stone Steppe is located east of the center of the Voronezh region, on the watershed of two rivers - Bityug and Khopra, which are left tributaries of the Don. There are two interpretations of the Stone Steppe, in a broad and narrow sense. So Professor N. Severtsov, a supporter of a broad interpretation, understood the entire watershed between the Bityug and Khoprom rivers as the Stone Steppe. Prof. A. M. Pankov included the south of the Bobrovsky and the west of the Novokhopersky districts of the Voronezh region into the territory of the Kamennaya Steppe. In a narrow interpretation, the Stone Steppe is understood as the steppe territories that lie south of the Talovaya station and Yu.-V. railway in the Bobrovsky district of the Voronezh region on the watershed of the Talovaya and N. Chigla (Chigolka) rivers.

Geological structure

Stone Steppe can be divided into two halves - eastern and western. The eastern half is characterized by a thick, strongly elevated occurrence of Cretaceous strata and a permanent, slightly altered layer of boulder clay, the upper brown-yellow horizon of which does not contain boulders and serves as the parent rock for soils. The western half of the basin is deepened and filled with Tertiary rocks; moraine deposits here are processed by water and replaced by ancient deluvial red-brown boulderless clay; the parent rock for the soils here is boulderless loam.

Relief and hydrography

The highest heights of 214-216 m above sea level of the Stone Steppe are located in the eastern part, where the chalk layer forms an elevation. To the east of the watershed of the Talovaya and N. Chigla (Chigolka) rivers, a short and steep slope is formed, breaking off into the Talovaya beam, while the heights fall from 216 to 160 m. To the west, forming a sloping and long slope, and for more than 15 and kilometers of height gradually fall to 136 meters at the Ozerka gully. In addition, the Stone Steppe is surrounded by two hills: the watershed of Khoper and Don in the east and the Pridonskaya Upland in the southwest. From the north and north-west direction it is open. Such a relief contributes to a good blowing of the Stone Steppe. In connection with this relief, there is a corresponding location of the hydrographic network of the Stone Steppe. It is represented by two small rivers: Talovaya and N. Chigla, ponds, groundwater.

Soils

Ordinary chernozems corresponding to medium-humus and medium-thick formations, leached chernozems, in which the level of effervescence is somewhat lower relative to the humus horizon, and solonetsous chernozems were distinguished. By area largest area in the Kamennaya steppe, it occupies a typical medium-thick chernozem; it is mainly confined to the upland type of terrain. Also on this type of terrain is ordinary chernozem. These two types of soil account for 80% of the territory. On the slopes, there is ordinary chernozem, weakly and moderately washed away. These soils account for 5% of the territory. The remaining types of soils occupy a small part of the Stone Steppe, their location is associated with the microrelief and the level of moisture in the area. The thickness of normal chernozem soils, depending on the relief, ranges from 50 to 80-90 cm; stony and washed soils have little power; saline soils, especially those of an alluvial nature, are sometimes distinguished by considerable thickness.

Climate

1. Temperature. Characterized by large fluctuations. In winter down to -30°C. In summer up to +40°C. The sharpest jumps in temperature occur in May, when frosts occur to almost -10°C. This is even more pronounced in the temperature on the soil surface.
2. Precipitation. cultural transformation The stone steppe led to an increase in the humidity regime on the territory and, as a result, the amount of precipitation (mm / year) increased. So from 1928 - 1978. they averaged 460 mm/g, and for the period from 1929-2007 already 484 mm/g. Within the year, precipitation shifted to the autumn-winter period (no vegetative plants). Years with anomalous precipitation have become more frequent. For example, in 2005, 683 mm/g fell; in 2006 - 610 mm / g. Solid precipitation occurs mainly in winter. Snow cover in Kam. The steppes are usually established in November, less often in early December; snow melts in late March or early April. Ravines, slopes, forests, lone bushes are the main collectors of snow reserves.
3. Wind regime. Stone steppe in its own way eastern position and relatively flat open terrain is a territory highly exposed to winds. However, the presence of forest belts contributes to a significant weakening of wind speed (30-40%).

Flora and fauna

Forest belts up to 25 meters high are multi-tiered ecosystems. The upper tier consists of oak, maple, ash; under their canopy - linden, apple, pear; even lower - hazel, bird cherry, acacia. Near the ground, undergrowth of trees and shrubs - euonymus, honeysuckle, buckthorn. Oak is not sown here by itself. If you do not plant it artificially, after some time maple will take the place of oak. Although maple is a good tree for forest reclamation .. At the same time, among tens and hundreds of local forest belts, there are no two identical ones. Each represents a separate scientific experiment. Forest belts are different in width, exposure, species composition and other features.

The colonization of forest belts by birds began immediately after the planting of forest belts and lasted 50-60 years after their creation, which is why their numbers stabilized. Today, about 150 species of birds are found, and more than 100 species of birds nest (including: lark, gray heron, woodpecker, hawk, goshawk). Up to 30 species of mammals live here (including: wild boar, roe deer, badger, fox, marten, ferret, hare, hedgehog, hamster). Forest belts, together with later planted forest belts of neighboring farms, became a "bridge" between the original forests - Shipovy forest and Khrenovsky forest, thereby expanding living spaces for living animals. The mole also contributed to the increase in the fertility of chernozems, mixing the soil, improving its water-physical properties and giving it the necessary structure. It was about such a land that V.V. Dokuchaev wrote: “Chernozem for Russia is more expensive than any oil, any coal, more expensive than gold and iron ores. It contains the age-old Russian wealth.”

"Stone steppe" - located in the Talovsky district on the watershed of two rivers Bityug and Khoper. In 1996, these lands, more than 5,000 hectares, received the status of an integrated state nature reserve of federal significance, and in 2009 they were transferred to the operational management of the Voronezh Reserve.

Whoever hears the name "Stone Steppe" for the first time, for sure, represents a harsh, rocky area devoid of any vegetation. A little over 100 years ago, this is exactly what happened: human practical activity led to severe droughts, the steppe almost lost its black soil and turned into a lifeless "desert". Today, the "Stone Steppe" is fields bordered by forest strips, clean ponds and protected deposits.

Restoration of the area was carried out in late XIX century. A group of scientists led by the founder of the theory of soil Vasily Dokuchaev set up a unique experiment to protect steppe agriculture. They were the first to plant forest strips to strengthen ravines, gullies, hold snow, and created artificial reservoirs. And today in formerly one of the driest areas central Russia we can not only admire the southern forest-steppe agricultural landscape, but also enjoy the fruits of the labors of Dokuchaev and his successors. Once created by human hands today, "Stone Steppe" has become a unique example of an optimized landscape.

As a legacy from Dokuchaev, we inherited a well for measuring groundwater, which is today a historical monument of the Voronezh region. A full house with a graph showing the dynamics of changes in the groundwater level over more than a century of observation is installed next to the well.

This year, the natural monument was put in order by the employees of the Voronezh Reserve. As the senior state inspector in the field of protection said environmentYuri KudryashoV , last time the well was repaired a quarter of a century ago: “We replaced the upper part of the well and the canopy above it, cut down the bushes and cleared the area around of deadwood. The students of the Stone Steppe School helped to clean up the mess, they painted the fence and cleaned up the area around it.”

Together with schoolchildren, the state inspector has repeatedly cleared the shore of the Dokuchaevsky reservoir from debris and fed the birds in winter. For more than three years, security officers have struggled to ensure that vacationers and locals do not litter on the territory of the protected area. But this daily exhausting work was worth it. Now the banks of rivers, ponds and reservoirs (most of which are of artificial origin) are pristine, and gray herons nest in the thickets.

At the end of June, when the 11th exhibition - a demonstration of agricultural machinery and technologies "Day of the Voronezh Field" was held in the "Stone Steppe", the operational group of the Voronezh Reserve monitored the order and peace in the territory of the reserve. The task force ensured compliance with the rules stipulated for a specially protected natural area.

Today, there are more than 800 species of plants in the "Stone Steppe", there are about 130 species of birds. Ferrets, martens and hamsters, roe deer, foxes and hares live in the steppe, there is also a colony of marmots - marmots, in total there are about 30 species of animals.

As a result of the Voronezh Field Day, not a single plant, animal or bird was harmed.

Reference: On the territory of the Kamennaya Steppe reserve, any kind of hunting, clearcutting, mining, construction, reconstruction and overhaul capital construction facilities, free visits (without passes) to especially valuable objects of the reserve, travel and parking of motor vehicles outside public roads, recreational activities outside specially designated areas, provision of land plots for individual housing construction, plowing land outside arable land, burning stubble and agricultural burning, finding hunting tools with weapons. The protection of the territory is carried out by the state inspection by the methods of foot and horse patrols, as well as patrols using vehicles and boats.