The Great Vasyugansky swamp

Vasyugan bogs are the largest in the world. They are located in the center of the Siberian federal district somewhere in the interfluve between the Irtysh and the Ob. Most of this natural zone is located in the Tomsk region, while capturing part of the Omsk and Novosibirsk region, as well as the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug. The Vasyugan swamp impresses with its size. The area of this natural zone is about 55 thousand square kilometers. This indicator exceeds the size of many countries, for example, Estonia, Denmark and Switzerland. The length of the swamp is 320 from north to south and 570 kilometers from west to east.

How did the swamp appear

According to scientists, the swamping of the terrain began about 10 thousand years ago. But the growth of the swamp does not stop even now. Over the past 500 years, the natural zone has increased about 4 times. There is a legend where the ancient Vasyugan sea-lake is mentioned. However, studies have shown that this natural zone was formed not as a result of swampiness in water bodies. In this case, everything happened for a different reason. A unique natural zone was formed as a result of an attack on the land of marshes. This happened under the influence of favorable orographic conditions, as well as a humid climate.

Initially, there were 19 plots on the site of the swamp. Their area was about 45 thousand square kilometers. However, the bog gradually absorbed the surrounding land. This can be compared with the onset of sand in the desert. It should be noted that the Vasyugan swamp is a classic example of "aggressive" and active swamp formation.

The climate of the swamp

Vasyugan bogs, whose photos indicate their enormous size, have a unique plant and animal world. The climate in this natural area is humid and continental. In January, the average temperature is about 20 ° C below zero, and in July - 17 ° C above zero. The snow cover lasts about 175 days a year, and its height ranges from 40 to 80 centimeters. Thanks to this climate, the Great Vasyugansky bog is a unique reserve, inhabited by many endangered species of birds and animals.

Animal and plant life

Among the plants of the Vasyugan bog, all kinds of medicinal herbs, as well as some kinds of berries, such as blueberries, cloudberries, cranberries, etc., are of special value. It is worth noting that this natural area is home to a variety of birds, fish, animals and insects. To relax during the migration period, waders and some species of waterfowl stop here.

On the swamp curlew its nests curlews, spindles and birds of prey, among which the peregrine falcon. Many of the species are considered rare. It was in this area that the last time they saw a thin-billed curlew. This species is almost extinct. In places where marshes border on forests and rivers, you can see wood grouse, grouse, otter, sable, mink and moose.

Approximately until the mid-80s on the Vasyugan plain one could meet a reindeer. At the moment, the population of these amazing animals has practically disappeared. In the tributaries of the rivers, which originate in the swamps, there are about 20 species of fish. In the local reservoirs, there are upwelling, carp, pike-perch and bream.

Vasyugan bogs, fishing and hunting are prohibited, are the habitat of such rare and vulnerable fish species as ruff, lamprey, peled, and nelma.

Benefits Vasyuganskogo swamp

At the moment, the Vasyugan swamp is a source of fresh water. The reserve is about 400 cubic kilometers. In addition, the area is rich in peat. As research shows, known deposits contain slightly more than 1 billion tons of useful rock. This is approximately 2% of the world's reserves. The average depth of peat is 2.4 meters, and the maximum depth is 10 meters.

Do not forget that the main function of the marshes is the purification of the atmosphere. It is for this reason that they are also called the "natural filter". It should be noted that the peaty Vasyugan swamp absorbs toxic substances, binds carbon, saturates the air with oxygen and prevents the formation of a greenhouse effect.

Ecology of the natural zone

In the area of the Vasyugan bog, there are no any settlements completely. However, as a result of the development of civilization, some factors influence the natural zone. The extraction of peat strongly violates the natural landscape of the plain. In addition, there is a problem associated with deforestation, draining of marshes, and also with poaching. All this negatively affects the ecology of the Vasyugan plain. Which leads to the destruction of some rare species of animals, insects and birds.

Various heavy machinery, peat extraction, oil spills cause severe harm to the ecosystem. Wastewater from many enterprises often enters the rivers. Many problems also arise from the second stages of rockets that were launched from Baikonur. Getting into the swamp, they pollute it with the remains of heptyl - highly toxic fuel.