COUNTRY Russian Federation

NAME Volcanoes of Kamchatka (comprises Kronotsky Zapovednik, Bystrinsky Nature Park, Nalychevo Nature Park, Southern Kamchatka Nature Park and Southern Kamchatka State Nature Reserve).

IUCN MANAGEMENT CATEGORY Kronotsky Zapovednik Ia (Strict Nature Reserve)
Bystrinsky Nature Park IV (Habitat\Species Management Area)
Nalychevo Nature Park IV (Habitat\Species Management Area)
Southern Kamchatka Nature Park and the Southern Kamchatka State Nature Reserve
IV (Habitat\Species Management Area)

Natural World Heritage criteria (i), (ii) and (iii)

BIOGEOGRAPHICAL PROVINCE 2.7.5 (Kamchatkan)

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION The nominated area is located in one of the remotest part of the Russian Far East on Kamchatka Peninsula, which divides the Sea of Okhotsk from the Pacific Ocean. The area comprises five discrete protected areas in the central and southern parts of the Kamchatka Oblast. One part of the nominated area (Bystrinsky Nature Park) is located in the mountainous range of the Posredinny Ridge in the central part of the Peninsula (56°00'N/158°30'E). Three other protected areas Kronotsky Zapovednik (54°40'N/161°00'E), Nalychevo Nature Park (53°30'N/159°00'E), Southern Kamchatka Nature Park and the Southern Kamchatka State Nature Reserve (52°00'N/157°50'E) are located on the mountainous shores of the Pacific Ocean.

The major city on the Kamchatka Peninsula is Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Access to it is provided by air or sea connections. The nominated area is normally accessed by helicopter.

DATE AND HISTORY OF ESTABLISHMENT Kronotsky Zapovednik was established as a state zapovednik in 1934 to protect the local population of sable and prevent uncontrolled hunting. Twice, in 1951 and 1961, Kronotsky Zapovednik was temporarily closed down but in 1967 it was reestablished as a zapovednik. In 1984 the Kronotsky Zapovednik was recognised as a biosphere reserve under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme. The Southern Kamchatka State Nature Reserve was established in 1975 as a federal nature reserve (zakazanik), under a 1973 agreement between Russia and Japan to protect migratory birds. The Southern Kamchatka Nature Park was established in 1995 with Bystrinsky and Nalychevo Nature Parks.

AREA The Volcanoes of Kamchatka nomination comprises 3.3 mil. ha.

Kronotsky Zapovednik 1,000,000ha
Bystrinsky Nature Park 1,250,000ha
Balychevo Nature Park 250,000ha
Southern Kamchatka Nature Park and the Southern Kamchatka State Nature Reserve 800,000ha

LAND TENURE Government, with some long-term lease concessions to tourist organisations.

ALTITUDE From sea level to 3,621m. The highest peak of the proposed nomination is the Ichinsky Volcano in Bystrinsky Nature Park. The Kronotsky Volcano in Kronotsky Zapovednik is 3,525m.

PHYSICAL FEATURES The property represents some of the most pristine parts of the Kamchatka Peninsula and a remarkable collection of volcanic areas, characteristic of the 'Pacific Volcanic Ring'. This is the surface expression of the subduction of the Pacific Ocean Continental Plate under the Eurasia Plate at a rate of 10cm annually. More than 300 volcanoes are found in Kamchatka, 29 being currently active (19 of these are included in the nomination), including caldera, strato-volcano, somma-volcano and mixed types. In addition there is a multitude of thermal and mineral springs, geysers and other phenomena of active vulcanism. Kronotsky and Kurilskoe are two of the major lakes in the area, both highly scenic and important fish spawning habitat. Other geomorphological phenomena can be observed, including volcanic accumulation and erosion, inter-mountain hollows, foothills and piedmont plains as well as coastal lowlands. The Uzona Caldera is large volcanic bowl that occupies nearly 30 square kilometers with sides rising up to 900m. The Valley of the Geysers is an outstanding natural phenomena with numerous hot geysers and springs.

Mountainous areas occupy the majority of the Bystrinsky Nature Park. These mountains were formed as a result of tectonic processes and have many quaternary volcanic formations in various states of conservation.

The territory of Nalychevo Nature Park lies within the bounds of the Nalychevo Volcanic Centre forming the southwest border of the Eastern Volcanic Belt of Kamchatka. The Nalychevo River Depression has a complex geological structure, connected with volcanic and hydrothermal activity. On the upper reaches of the Nalychevo River, covering an area of 40 square kilometers, several hundred thermal springs and cold mineral springs are found.

The relief of the Southern Kamchatka Nature Park and the Southern Kamchatka State Nature Reserve includes lava tableland, formed during eruptions, and volcanic cone formations and a spectacular coastline. The ten most active volcanoes on Kamchatka Peninsula are in the two reserves.

CLIMATE The central part of Kamchatka, surrounded by two mountain ranges, has a climate similar to the continent. In the other parts of the nominated area the ocean is influential. At sea level, the mean temperature in July is 10°C and the mean temperature in January is -8°C. On the western coast, the temperatures are significantly lower due the influence of the cold Sea of Okhotsk. The annual precipitation is less than 400mm in the central areas of the penninsula, nearly 1000mm along the western coast and 2000mm in the southeast of the peninsula (Borodin, 1983).

VEGETATION The floral diversity is different in the parts of the proposed nomination. Kronotsky Zapovednik support is poor in taiga and boreal species but rich in arctic-alpine species, and mountain tundra, Arctic and Bering species predominate. The number of vascular plant species recorded in the Zapovednik currently stands at 749. A number of nationaly threatened plant species are found: Poa radula, Carex viridula, Fimbristylis ochotensis, Cypripedium macranthon, Isoetes asiatica and Rhodiola rosea. Coniferous forests grow on the eastern slopes of the Middle Range (Bystrinsky Natural Park) with predominant larch L. kamchatschatica and the spruce Pinus ajanensis, whilst stone birch predominates in the west. The area contains 16 species endemic to Kamchatka. Some 549 species of vascular plants have been recorded in Nalychevo Nature Park and 615 species in Bystrinsky Nature Park.

The Southern Kamchatka Nature Park and the Southern Kamchatka State Nature Reserve are located in a forested zone, but due to the local relief the vegetation is mountainous in character. The flora of Southern Kamchatka is diverse, with 718 species recorded, with 85 species being considerd rare, including C. macranthon, Epipogon aphyllum, Gymnadenia cantschatica, Oreorchis patens, Nuphar pumila and Carex laxa.

FAUNA The fauna is relatively low in diversity, Kamchatka Peninsula exhibiting some of the biogeographical qualities of an island. Nevertheless, a number of species are found in abundance, including bears, snow ram, northern deer, sable and wolverine and there is a high level of endemism. There no reptiles and only one species of amphibian in the Kronotsky Zapovednik, but a large number of the birds live in the tundra. Mammals in Bystrinsky Nature Park include muskrat Ondatra zibethicus, american mink Mustela vison and Canadian beaver Castor canadensis and one domestic species elk Alces alces.

The faunal diversity for the Nalychevo Nature Park includes 33 species of mammals including brown bear Ursus arctos and snow ram Ovis nivicola nivicola. Some 145 bird species have been recorded, species, nine of which are nationally threatened (Philacte canagica, Branta bernicla, osprey Pandion haliaetus, Haliaeetus albicilla, H. pelagicus, Falco gyrfalco, F. peregrinus and Gallinago solitaria). Nalychevo River and its tributaries support great numbers of four species of salmon considered nationally threatened Oncorhynchus sp., Salvelinus alpinus, S. mala and Salmo mykiss.

CULTURAL HERITAGE The oldest Paleolithic settlement is 21,000 years old. The Kamchatka Peninsula became part of Russia in 1699 and the first description of Kamchatka was given by the explorer S.P. Krashenninnikov in 1742. Until the beginning of the 18th century, the Itelmeni people settled in the central and southern parts of Kamchatka Peninsula; their most important economic occupation was fishing. The western part of Kamchatka and the Bystrinsky region were settled by the Eveni people. Recently, traditional land use areas have been zoned for permanent settlements in northern part of the Southern Kamchatka Nature Park and in the Bystrinsky Nature Park.

LOCAL HUMAN POPULATION The entire nominated area is uninhabited and has no permanent settlements, except for protected areas staff. The only exceptions are some parts of the Southern Kamchatka Nature Park and the Bystrinsky Nature Park which is extensively used by small numbers of indigenous Itelmeni and Eveni.

VISITORS AND VISITOR FACILITIES Approximately 15,000 tourists visited Kamchatka in 1995, 4,000 of them foreign and 11,000 Russian. Approximately 2,000 tourists visit the Valley of the Geysers each year. Helicopter access to tourist cabins within Nalychevo and Southern Kamchatka Nature Parks is available. A board-walk and helipad has also been provided in the Valley of the Geysers. Kronotsky Zapovednik is the only site in Russia with a large geysers that enhance its tourism potential (Krever, 1994). Projects to promote eco-tourism are now underway.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND FACILITIES The Kamchatka Institute of Ecology and Nature Use and Institute of Volcanology of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences are the main bodies who carry out major research on the territory of the proposed nomination. Kronotsky Zapovednik has academic staff which carry out research with the two above mentioned institutions (MEPNRR, 1994).

CONSERVATION VALUE The property is one of the most highly active volcanic zones in the world. They are characterised by a diverse set of volcanic phenomena: geysers, mineral and hot springs. There are a number of endemic species and subspecies.

All but surrounded by sea the Peninsula enjoys a moist and cool maritime climate leading to a thick vegetation cover. With an only modest history of human exploitation, the vegetation is in largely pristine condition, and includes mountain valley taiga forest of birch, larch and spruce, extensive 'stone birch' alpine forests, riparian forest on alluvial soil of poplars, aspen, alder and willow; peat wetland and extensive coastal wetlands of up to 50km width and sub-alpine shrub and mountain tundra.

The faunal complement is relatively low in diversity, Kamchatka Peninsula exhibiting some of the biogeographical qualities of an island. Nevertheless, a number of species are found in abundance. There are numerous seabird colonies and 50% of the global population of Aleutian tern nest on the Peninsula. Nearly all rivers, noted for being exceptionally un- polluted, serve as salmon spawning grounds, a key food chain species for predatory birds and mammals.

CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT Existing protected areas preserve the most important areas on the Kamchatka Peninsula. The Kronotsky Zapovednik and Southern Kamchatka Nature Park and the Southern Kamchatka State Nature Reserve are managed by the Russian State Committee on Environmental Protection. Bystrinsky and Nalychevo Nature Parks are managed by The Kamchatka Institute of Ecology and Nature Use. Hunting, fishing, and the gathering of mushrooms and berries occurs in the three Nature Parks, and management plans are being developed to regulate these activities. In each of the three Nature Parks there are zones which allow hunting of brown bear and sheep. Limited winter trapping of fur animals takes place and there is extensive deer raising in Bystrinsky Nature Park.

MANAGEMENT CONSTRAINTS There is limited evidence of geological prospecting and forest fires in the Bystrinsky Nature Park. Industrial gold production is under consideration; the principal environmental impact of such development is likely to be pollution of salmon spawning grounds. Illegal fishing has increased during last years on a seashores of the proposed nomination (Newell, 1996).

STAFF Each of the 3 Nature Parks has one Director who is based in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy and have an allocation for 5 field staff but these have not yet been hired. The Federal areas have a Director and approximately 40 office and field staff.

BUDGET No information.

LOCAL ADDRESSES

Federal Service of Forestry of the Russian Federation (Rosleskhoz), 59/19, Pyatnitskaya St., Moscow, 113095, Russia.

Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, 8/1, Kedrova St., Moscow, 117874, Russia.

Kamchatka Regional Administration, 29/1, Prospect Karl Marx, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 683031.

REFERENCES

Anon. (1995). The Volcanoes of Kamchatka World Heritage Nomination. Prepared by Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Russia. 28 pp.

Borodin, A.M. and Syroechkovski, E.E. (1983). Zapovedniki SSSR. Moscow. Publishing house 'Lesnaya promyshlennost'. 249 pp.

Krever, V., et.al. (1994). Conserving Russia's Biological Diversity: An Analytical Framework and Initial Investment Portfolio. WWF. Washington, DC. 207pp.

Kronotsky Biosphere Reserve. (1984). Data sheet for UNESCO-MAB nomination.

Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Russia et.al. (1994). Zapovedniki Rossii: Sbornik materialov letopisei prirody za 1991/92 gody. Moscow. 210 pp.

Newell, J. and Wilson, E. (1996). The Russian Far East. Friends of Earth - Japan. Tokyo. 197 pp.

DATE November 1996