Rare plants of the southern coast of Crimea. Red Book of Crimea: rare animals and plants

In Russia, it is customary to call the Red Book a reference book that lists rare plants and rare animals. Each Russian region has its own rare plants and endangered species animals. Every corner of our vast country writes its own Red Book (KK). When plants and animals are brought into the KK, they begin to be heavily guarded. The Crimean Red Book was founded in the late eighties of the last century.

Unique representatives of the flora and fauna of the Crimean peninsula were included in this book. Nowadays, this list of rare animals and plants of the Crimea is constantly updated with new endangered species. Crimea is a truly unique place; some plants and representatives of the animal world, which are located on the territory of the peninsula, are not found anywhere else in Russia.

How to enter into the Red Book

Any KK is, in fact, a reference book of rare, endangered representatives of the local flora and fauna. Depending on the region, a different number of species may be included in it. In some regions, there are quite a lot of endangered species, in others - much less. In many ways, it depends on the level of development of technological progress, on the presence of large industrial enterprises in the region, on the level of pollution environment. Representatives local flora and fauna are included in this list if:

• The plant or animal is rare;
• The representative of flora or fauna belongs to endangered species;
• The plant or animal is under threat of destruction;
• Rare plants and animals are of great practical use to humans (for example, when it comes to medicinal plants or fur-bearing animals).

There is also a KK in the Crimea. Now that Crimea has become part of Russia, representatives of endangered species of Crimean flora and fauna are under the protection of Russian ecological public organizations. Targeted destruction of rare animals and plants in Crimea is punishable under Russian law.

In the KK of Crimea, as in the books of other Russian regions, there are several sections. It features endangered and rare medicinal and ornamental plants, insects, mammals, reptiles and reptiles. It also includes rare species of birds. You can get acquainted with the KK of Crimea on the Internet, you can also take a paper version of the book in any local library.

Visually, it looks like a thick book with a hard red cover. Inside there are descriptions of endangered and rare representatives of the Crimean flora and fauna. Each description looks like this: name (both the Russian name and the official scientific name in Latin) , photography and brief reference about this type. For ease of use, the book is divided into sections and headings, in accordance with families, classes, subgroups of animals and plants.

Listing rare plants and animals as endangered helps draw public attention to their rapid disappearance. QC - lovely way remind people that Live nature native land requires careful handling. Man must be a reasonable master of nature, but not a tyrant or a despot. Otherwise, the consequences of human activity may be unpredictable.

Goals and objectives

The KK of Crimea was first created shortly before the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. At that time, the peninsula was part of the Ukrainian Republic. AT Soviet time Crimea actively developed. New buildings were built in the city industrial enterprises, tourism infrastructure developed rapidly. On the one hand, these the changes had a positive effect on the regional economy: new jobs appeared in Crimea, the standard of living improved on the peninsula. But, on the other hand, technogenic human activity, combined with the rapid development of scientific and technological progress, always has a negative impact on the state of wildlife.

Also, the intensive development of tourism has to some extent contributed to the disappearance of rare species. Reserved corners of nature, where no human foot has ever set foot before, have become available to numerous vacationers. In the protected corners of the peninsula, numerous recreation centers have grown like mushrooms after the rain. Tourists resting at these bases did not always behave correctly in relation to wildlife. In order to correct this situation, and was created Red Book of the Crimean Peninsula. Botanists and zoologists set themselves the following goals and objectives:

• Protect endangered species of animals and plants living on the territory of the peninsula from complete extinction;
• Contribute to an increase in the population of rare species of animals and plants;
• Draw public attention to environmental issues peninsulas;
• Inform the population of the peninsula about the need for careful, attentive attitude to rare species.

The main task of the creators was to protect the local nature from the negative impact of human activity. Botanists and zoologists brilliantly coped with this task. Over the past twenty years, it has been repeatedly reprinted and supplemented.

Its study is included in the official curriculum of the school biology course in regional secondary schools. Also, special “nature lessons” are periodically held in local schools. During such lessons, students of primary and secondary school age get acquainted with the KK of Crimea and learn to take care of the nature of their native land.

The Crimean peninsula is located on the Black Sea coast, therefore, not only animals, birds and plants are officially listed in the local book, but also fish, marine animals and rare seaweed actively used for the treatment of various diseases. This book also includes rare rodents living exclusively in the Crimea.

Rare animals of Crimea

Many rare animals live in Crimea. These are different kinds of animals. In the local book you can find such representatives of the local fauna as:

• reptiles;
• Amphibians;
• Reptiles:
• Mammals.

Among the animals included in the Crimean Red Code for various reasons are various rare species of toads and rodents, as well as endangered species of reptiles, such as the viper and the yellow snake. Viper venom is used as a medicine, and the mass destruction of vipers has led to the fact that these snakes are becoming less and less. Perhaps drawing attention to this situation will help fix this problem.

The local book also includes a large number of rare birds, such as the crane. The disappearance and extinction of many species of birds is largely due to the massive development of hunting as a way of outdoor activities.

Animals of different species, as a rule, are officially recognized as rare or endangered due to but purposeful human activity aimed at the destruction of these species (hunting, fishing, making medicines from the poison secreted by animals). Also, some species of plants and animals are dying due to the fact that their habitat is gradually changing (for example, recreation centers for tourists are being built in previously secluded places).

Plants

Many rare plant species are listed in the KK of Crimea. The following types of plants included in it can be distinguished:

• Medicinal;
• Poisonous;
• Ornamental plants (flowers and herbs);
• Plants that are actively used as animal feed.

Poisonous plants (such as belladonna) tend to disappear because people purposefully destroy them. medicinal plants disappear due to the fact that they are massively harvested as a medicinal raw material local herbalists. Ornamental plants are quite often destroyed by tourists. Plants that feed on wild and domestic animals are also rapidly disappearing, especially if the number of animals that feed on this plant is actively growing.

Rare plants are gradually disappearing, mainly due to the fact that their habitual habitat is gradually changing and disappearing. To prevent the complete disappearance of rare varieties of Crimean plants, the best solution would be the creation of special greenhouses and winter gardens. The main thing is to create suitable conditions for plants, close to natural. It is also necessary to regularly inform tourists about the need for adequate behavior in nature. A tourist who lives at a recreation center or makes a trip to the protected corners of the Crimean peninsula must know for sure: it is strictly forbidden to pick flowers and break trees in nature, and you can make fires only in specially designated places.

Where else can you learn about rare plants and animals of the Crimea

Regional Government of the Crimean Peninsula, with the support of local environmental non-profit organizations and with the support of the government Russian Federation, is engaged in active promotion of respect for the nature of the native land. Thematic events are regularly held for children and adults, aimed at getting to know the native nature and studying the local flora and fauna.

You can learn about endangered species of wildlife on the Crimean peninsula not only from the Red Book. You can also get this information from the specialized literature on botany and zoology. Propaganda protection native nature actively implemented in the Crimean funds mass media. Local environmental organizations are actively working with young people aimed at preserving and increasing natural resources native land.

The Red Book of Crimea is a unique reference book on botany and zoology. From it you can not only learn about rare species of local animals and birds, but also find out what impact human activities have on the state of nature in the region. Studying the Book is an exciting activity. Information will make people think about conservation unique flora and fauna Crimea, as well as the neutralization of the destructive influence of man on wildlife.

At present, humanity is concerned about the state of nature and is doing everything possible to preserve rare representatives of flora and fauna. The Red Book of Crimea will help you find out which Crimean animals and plants need protection.

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Story

The first list, which listed rare plants and rare animals in the Crimea, was compiled in the twenties of the last century. Over time, it changed, many scientists made their additions. But there was not enough material to create a full edition. Finally, in 2015, a government decree issued a decree on compiling the work “The Red Book of Crimea. Plants and Animals". The document gave the publication an official status. More than fifty specialists worked on its creation. The information it contains helps you make expansion decisions. protected areas or the creation of new sanctuaries and reserves.

Structure

The Red Book contains the name of the species in Russian and Latin, their description. The characteristic of rarity is given and the actions taken for conservation are indicated. A map showing habitats, illustrations and photographs is presented. At the end of each essay there are links to primary sources.

On land and in water

Almost 400 species of animals are listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Crimea. Of these, more than fifty are endangered, 16 subspecies are recognized as almost extinct.

List of some animals from the Red Book of Crimea:

The steppe polecat is an endangered group.

Lives on plains, forest plantations and even in small settlements. Feeds on small rodents. Females are fertilized in the spring, give birth in early summer, 10 - 16 puppies at a time. At the end of summer, puppies leave their mother, live alone and to next year become sexually mature individuals. No special protection measures are proposed. The population size depends on the number of rats that are the main food.

The bottlenose dolphin is a declining species.

In Crimea, it lives in the Black Sea and the Kerch Strait. It feeds on fish, lives an average of 20-30 years, becomes sexually mature at 7 years old, and produces offspring every 3 years. Suffers from illegal capture for commercial dolphinariums, dies from collision with ships. In captivity, it breeds, but the offspring gives a weak, incapable of full reproduction. As a conservation measure, the reduction, and subsequently the closure of dolphinariums, is named.

Gopher small - declining in numbers, the steppe group.

Lives in colonies in steppes and semi-deserts. Digs long burrows with passages. It feeds mainly on cereals. In the cold season, it hibernates for 3-4 months. Upon leaving hibernation, the breeding cycle begins, in the litter from five to ten cubs. At the beginning of summer, they leave their burrows, and other groups of animals settle in the burrows, including those listed in the Red Book in the Crimea, which makes the ground squirrels an ecologically valuable subspecies. The threat to them is the plowing of the steppes and predators.

The large jerboa is an endangered species.

Prefers meadows and dry shores of reservoirs. Lives in burrows, equipping a nesting chamber. It hibernates for the winter. It feeds on bulbs, seeds, leaves and insects. The threat for them is the plowing of meadows, grazing. It also suffers from predators: seagulls, owls, ferrets.

A complete list of which animals are listed in the Red Book of Crimea can be found in the publication itself, in print or electronic form.

In the air

The birds listed in the Red Book in the Republic of Crimea amaze with their diversity. Let's look at some of them:

Starling pink.

The color of this bird is actually pink, except for a small crest, wings and tail - they are black, with a metallic sheen. This is a rare subspecies. Arrives at nesting sites in May. Over the past 30 years, the number of arriving birds has decreased three times. It builds nests in shelters - cracks in rocks, under slate roofs. Lays about 5 eggs, which are incubated by both parents. A month after birth, the chicks already fly well. The starling feeds mainly on insects; in summer, juicy fruits are added to the diet.

Tirkushka steppe.

Is under the threat of extinction. Breeds near the sea or salt lakes, at a distance from water, in colonies. In the seventies of the last century it was an ordinary bird, now it is extremely rare. Arrives in early May, uses a small hole in the ground as a nest, laying up to 5 eggs. Parents incubate together, flying away during the day to feed. The nest left for this time is looked after by other birds of the colony. At the beginning of September, tirkushki, together with their young, fly to Africa for the winter.

The yellow heron is a rare subspecies.

It nests along the banks of brackish and freshwater reservoirs, next to other bird colonies. Arrives in April, lays eggs in early May. By July, the young are already flying away from the colony. Adult birds fly away before the end of September. It feeds on insects, amphibians and small fish in shallow water.

many kinds migratory birds in last years have reduced their numbers and those listed in the Red Book are under state protection.

Insects

Representatives of insects require no less protection. Let's look at some of them:

The Crimean ground beetle (another name is "Rough ground beetle") is a rare subspecies.

Lives on rocky slopes, in gardens, vineyards, parks and forests. This is a predator that eats snails, insects and their larvae. It breeds from early April to late September. Lifespan three years, hibernate different ages larvae. There are significant population fluctuations.

The Flying Bumblebee is a subspecies that is endangered.

Occurs alone, rarely. Prefers shores and water meadows. Nests are made on the ground, under last year's foliage or moss. Active from late spring to late summer. It feeds on pollen and nectar from members of the legume family. The burning of dry grass and the impoverishment of feeding places are recognized as a threat.

Machaon is a rare species. Large, beautiful butterfly.

The wingspan reaches 10 cm. It lives in the steppes, but flies over long distances, flying into the villages to the gardens and laying eggs there. Before mating, males dance mating dances. The female lays 1 to 3 eggs. Caterpillars feed on umbrella plants, preferring their flowers. They develop within a month, then they make a chrysalis. The threat to the population is the plowing of the steppes, uncontrolled grazing.

All these and many other animals of the Crimea listed in the Red Book are protected by the law of the Russian Federation.

Flora

Its representatives play an invaluable role in the development of the planet. The state takes care of the preservation beneficial species. Endangered plants of the Crimea, listed in the Red Book - rare plants, all of them are also listed in the Red Book of Russia and Ukraine.

In the introduction of the publication, a story is given about the nature of the peninsula with colorful photographs and illustrations of landscapes. A list of normative acts is presented. The descriptions themselves include the following sections:

1. species name in Russian and Latin with synonyms;
2. photograph or illustration;
3. taxon status;
4. area of ​​growth and a cartogram with the designation of places of growth in the territory of the Crimean Republic;
5. morphological and biological features;
6. possible threats and accepted methods of protection;
7. links to sources of information and authors of illustrations and photographs.

Nearly 300 vascular species, about 40 bryophytes, a little less than 20 algae and 55 lichens and fungi are protected by law. Plants of the Red Book express a loud call for the protection of not only rare subspecies included in the list of the Red Book, but also all the rest, no less important species growing on the peninsula.

Crocus Crimean. In addition to the peninsula, it is found in Novorossiysk

Trees

On the peninsula, depending on the distance from the coast, there are different types of forests.
In the foothills, these are forest-steppes, consisting of junipers, pears, oaks, wild roses and other trees. To the south, oaks appear - these are light and not dense forests. Higher in the mountains, they change to beech trees (the trees are over two hundred years old). It is very twilight there, the grass under the crowns does not grow. The higher, the more clumsy and undersized trees become. Closer to the sea are pine and beech forests. Further south, a mixed forest appears, consisting of oak, pistachio, juniper and other drought-resistant plants.

For example, the Crimean juniper is a species that is declining in numbers. It is an evergreen tree up to 15 meters high. Prefers steep southern slopes, wind-pollinated, propagated by seeds. The threat is construction, quarrying, Forest fires. Protected in nature reserves.

Juniper grows in Crimea in many places, but everywhere it is not numerous.

Flowers

These representatives of the flora are represented in an incredible number of species. Many of them are endangered. We list some of them:

• Jump: Crimea guide

Rich and varied vegetable world Crimea, and the list of wild plants of the peninsula includes more than 2500 species. Interestingly, about 90% of all plant species are found in the Crimean mountains. In addition, about 1500 plant species are acclimatized in the Crimea.

The "Red Book" includes 47 species of plants growing on the peninsula. In itself, the abundance of endangered species is evidence of the threatening situation in which they found themselves as a result of the excessive recreational load on the Crimean nature.

A feature of the Crimean landscapes is that here typical Central European plants coexist with Mediterraneans and people from Western Asia. On the peninsula, some relic plants of the pre-glacial period have been preserved, such as small-fruited strawberry, high juniper, orchid Comperia Compera). In Crimea, 142 plant species are endemic, i.e. they are not found anywhere except the Crimean peninsula.

Butcher's broom - this exotic Mediterranean plant exists on a narrow strip of the South Coast, and here its range is very small. It has hard dark green leaves and red berries that can be seen even in winter. And the fact that the butcher's needle is very similar to leaves is a special flat twig. Real leaves are located in the center of these plates and are almost invisible. Its name is the needle, it received for its pricklyness. Therefore, the solid "pillows" of needles, which can sometimes be found under trees, resemble a special kind of wire, on which someone specially strung orange and red berry balls.

Beech forests are the darkest and most mysterious. Under the canopy of the beech forest, only very shade-loving plants grow, as a weak green light breaks through the dense canopy of leaves: the beech leaves create an almost impenetrable "roof". In the beech forest here and there, lush ferns make their way, reminiscent of a prehistoric forest of the Carboniferous period with its ferns, horsetails and club mosses ... And in places where crystal clear water beats among boulders right from the ground, you can find an unnaturally bright green carpet moss moisture.

The trunk of Strawberry seems to be dressed in suede instead of bark. Small-fruited strawberry, or it is also called a coral tree, is the only evergreen deciduous tree in the flora of Crimea. The leathery leaves of the strawberry can withstand even the snow that falls on the South Shore. Young strawberry trees are hardly noticeable, but in the Crimea there are giant strawberries that are more than one hundred years old.

In the dilapidated stone walls of Chersonese, sometimes strange bunches of berries grow right out of the walls, sometimes resembling a very beautiful forester's beard... This is ephedra, which is so unlike any other plant that it is the only one in our flora that forms a separate family of Ephedra. Ephedra has no leaves, only twigs that resemble a beard.

There are 47 orchid species in Crimea, about 20 of which are found in Laspi Bay. Crimean orchids are like precious stones: they are small, but they have no price, and the rarest of them is Comper's comperia. Once a lover of botany, the Frenchman Comper, who had an estate in Laspi, discovered this species. Comperia flowers are pinkish-brown, and each flower seems to thin out, ending in thin threads. This flower, except for the Crimea, is found only in some regions of Asia Minor. Other Crimean orchids interesting names: orchis, lyubka, dremlik; ophris, whose flowers look like bumblebees.

• Read more:

Almost every corner of our planet is inhabited by animals that are on the verge of extinction. Crimea is no exception; rare representatives of the animal world also live there.

Limiting factors

First of all, the diversity, as well as the uniqueness of the fauna and flora of the peninsula is determined by geographic location. A small area, about 27,000 km², is divided by three climatic zones: mountain belt and subtropics on the southern coast, as well as a temperate continental steppe climate. These territories belong to the Black Sea basin and are located at the intersection of migration routes of fauna representatives. Another interesting fact is that there are fifty salt lakes and two hundred and fifty seven rivers in this area. Experts have noticed that due to the significant rate of genetic erosion in recent decades, some plant species have been burned.

Red Book

The peninsula is home to a huge number of exceptional animals that are on the verge of extinction. It was decided to create a document about such inhabitants.

The Red Book uses an eight-point scale to determine the degree of rarity. The animals of Crimea in the Red Book of Russia are the tricolor and pointed-eared bat, the common long-winged bat, the small and large horseshoe bat, the black-headed gull, the large curlew.

Fauna on the peninsula

It is known from history that ostriches and giraffes used to live on the peninsula, and due to climate change, people noticed arctic foxes and reindeer. In addition to animals, about two hundred species of fish live in the waters of Crimea. Of these, in fresh lakes and rivers, there are forty-six, fourteen of which are natives. The rest were brought to the peninsula and adapted well there.

In Crimea, there are fourteen species of reptiles, and only one poisonous one is the steppe viper, as well as six species of lizards. Among the turtles, only the marsh turtle lives, which can be found in mountain reservoirs. About two hundred species of birds live here, living mainly in mountainous areas. Of these, seventeen species arrive for the winter. There are more than sixty species of mammals, they live in mountainous areas, as well as in nature reserves. Foxes, badgers, martens are found on the peninsula, and predatory animals can also be found here. Hares and ferrets are found in forests and steppes. Wolves lived here, but at the beginning of the twentieth century, their populations completely died out. Monk seals and three species of dolphins live in the waters.

Rare animals of the Crimea, listed in the Red Book

Among the rare mammals, one can single out the steppe polecat and the common shrew, their number is declining at a rapid pace. And also wild rams - mouflons are protected. This is the only herd in the whole Eastern Europe. The lizard of the spindle family, or it is also called the yellow-bellied, belongs to a protected species that is on the verge of extinction. The lizard has a large head and large eyelids. The yellowbell has a sandy yellow coloration with a dark pattern on the upper body. Rare animals of the Red Book of Crimea: Mediterranean gecko, golden eagle, pygmy bat, white-bellied monk seal.

Sea dwellers

Crimean bottlenose dolphins are also protected. They are able to reach speeds of up to forty km / h and emerge from under the water to a height of five meters. The white-bellied seal or monk seal is on the verge of extinction, there are only 600 representatives of this species left on our planet. For the desire for solitude, as well as short hair, they were called monks. These rare animals of the Crimea, listed in the Red Book, are rather awkward on land, but they feel great in the water. In search of food, seals can swim far from the coast and dive to a depth of up to five hundred meters. Animals reach a length of about two meters and weigh about three hundred kilograms. Males tend to be covered in thick black fur, while females are noticeably lighter in color. Because of the light lower part of the body, the seal received another name - white-bellied.

Steppe and mountain fox

In the Crimean mountains you can meet mountain foxes, and in the steppes - their steppe subspecies. They feed mainly on hamsters, ground squirrels, mice, and in rare cases even wild rabbits.

In times of famine, foxes eat lizards, insects, and frogs. Due to the fact that these animals of the Red Book of Crimea are susceptible to rabies, tourists should be careful. Previously, they were vaccinated, but now this does not happen. There are no frequent encounters with these animals, because they are very cautious and shy.

weasel

At first glance, it may seem that this is a very small and peaceful animal, but even wolves cannot be compared with the bloodthirstiness of affection. However, she is often tamed and becomes quite a gentle pet.

Weasel will quickly make friends with other household inhabitants. In the house in which this animal lives, insects and rodents will never appear. However, in captivity, weasels barely live past the age of five.

Belodushka

This name is given to the stone marten, whose chest and throat are covered with white fur. Belodushka is a very mobile and voracious predator. However, the stone marten can eat vegetarian food. In the summer and autumn seasons, white-haired animals, listed in the Red Book, eat pears, grapes, and hawthorn in Crimea. When it enters the chicken coop, it will quickly strangle all the chickens.

Badger

Peaceful representative of the animal world of Crimea of ​​the Mustelidae family. The badger's brothers are sables and otters. These animals are very brave and energetic representatives of the fauna. Their burrows are similar to caves, consisting of several floors, and can reach twenty meters in length. Each floor has its own purpose.

This is a fairly clean animal, so the house is cleaned daily. The floor in the burrows is dotted with fragrant grass, which is changed twice a year. The expansion and improvement of the hole is constantly taking place. After a certain amount of time, the holes turn into whole badger underground cities. These animals, listed in the Red Book, in the Crimea feed mainly on mushrooms, wild berries, acorns, as well as gophers, snails and mice. In addition, badgers love honey. These are peaceful animals, but when it comes to their brethren or their homes, they stand to the end.

mouflon

This is a wild animal related to artiodactyls, a genus of rams. Mouflons live on wooded mountain slopes, and in winter they go down a little lower. Males weigh about 50 kg, and females - 35 kg. Males have horns. Mouflons are very cautious animals and try to live away from people.

A wild boar

These animals lived in the Crimea since ancient times, but in the nineteenth century they were completely destroyed. Starting from 1957, one wild boar and thirty-four females from Primorsky Krai were brought from the Chernihiv region. Subsequently, the number of individuals increased significantly.

Boar - an animal of the Red Book of Crimea, whose photo can be seen in the article, feeds on various roots, mushrooms, nuts or acorns. In rare cases, they can feed on insects, bird eggs and rodents.

Crimean red deer

The deer is the largest animal on the peninsula. Its weight can reach 260 kg, and they grow up to 140 cm in height. Basically, the life expectancy of the Crimean deer is 60-70 years. Horns are considered their main weapon. In Crimea, only hunters are considered enemies of deer. Thus, they use their horns during fights for the female, which usually take place in September.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, deer - animals listed in the Red Book, almost completely disappeared in the Crimea. Starting in 1923, a ban on shooting deer came into effect. And already in 1943 the number of individuals increased to two thousand.

Roe

There was a time when these animals lived in the steppes of the Crimea. Now roe deer live on the slopes of the Main mountain range, in addition, they can be found in the forests. When meeting with people, the animal freezes for a few seconds, then, discovering that it has been noticed, it hides in the forest thickets with great speed. Roe deer are like deer. These animals, listed in the Red Book, feed on tree buds, bark, herbaceous plants in the Crimea. Males have horns, which they shed at the beginning of the autumn period. In the spring, the antlers grow back. Foxes and martens are considered enemies of roe deer. Animals have excellent hearing. As soon as they feel danger, they immediately warn their fellows. Their cry is carried at a distance of three kilometers.

What animals are listed in the Red Book of Crimea?

• The common shrew is considered one of the the rarest species mammals. Mostly lives in the mountain-forest part of the Crimea.
• The steppe ferret is a representative of predators. These animals feed on small-sized vertebrates, as well as mouse-like rodents.
• The leather-like bat leads mainly a sedentary lifestyle. Feeds on small insects.
• The common badger is active at dusk and at night. The length of the body is from 60 to 90 cm, the tail is 20 cm long. The head is small, powerful claws on the paws.
• The small gopher lives in burrows that reach almost two meters in depth, and their length is more than four meters. Distributed in sagebrush and forb-feather grass steppes.

Animals of the Crimea, listed in the Red Book of Russia, are the giant vespers, the gray shrike, the eagle owl, the lesser tern, the greave, the steppe tirkushka.

Birds

The gray crane is under the protection of the law, hunting for it is prohibited everywhere. On the peninsula, the animal lives exclusively in swampy meadows and reed beds. The pink starling is also included in the Red Book. He lives on Mount Opuk. Red-headed kinglet, common in the mountainous regions of the Crimea. The eagle owl is a rare bird in the Crimea. It is active, as a rule, at night, preys on small animals and vertebrates.

The Crimean peninsula is a small universe, which combines a diverse climate, unique nature and diverse flora and fauna.

The Red Book lists animals that need protection, as well as endangered species. The first edition was published in 2015. The first volume describes animal world. Here are some names of animals listed in the Red Book of Crimea: steppe polecat, common shrew, common badger, leather-like bat, small gopher. The second volume is devoted to plants, fungi and algae. In total, four hundred and five species of plants and fungi are included, as well as three hundred and seventy species of animals. The Red Book is considered official document, containing information about wild animals, plants and fungi that permanently or temporarily reside (grow) on the territory of the Crimean peninsula.

It is known that the Bible mentions many plants. Some of them are widespread in Russia - wheat, barley, apple, narcissus, lily, blackthorn, wormwood, etc. Others can be found only in the south, including while relaxing in the Crimea. The botanical affiliation of some is obvious, while others are still disputed. For example, no one knows what kind of gopher from which Noah built his ark, some translate this word as acacia, others - Lebanese cedar, others - cypress. Therefore, we will not argue that all the plants mentioned in the article are exactly those that the authors of the Bible had in mind, but this does not make them less interesting.

Which of the plants of the Bible grow in the Crimea

Fig tree(fig, fig). This plant is mentioned many times in the Bible. It was fig leaves that Adam and Eve covered themselves with after they ate the forbidden fruit and realized that nudity is not good. Jesus cursed the same tree near Jerusalem for lack of fruit.

The fig sings

In Crimea, figs feel great on the South Coast and in Sevastopol, in some places they have run wild and grow on their own. In other parts of the peninsula, it has to be covered for the winter. Locals make excellent jam from figs, be sure to try it!

Lebanese cedar is mentioned 75 times in the Bible. For example, with his bark, the prophet Moses ordered the rabbis to treat leprosy and disinfect wounds during circumcision. It was used in the construction of the Jerusalem temples and, perhaps, Noah's Ark was built from it.

Primorsky Boulevard, Sevastopol

In Crimea, it can be found in almost all South Coast parks and just on the streets.

Burning bush(fraxinella). Careless tourists remember meeting with this plant forever. The fact is that you can’t touch this beautiful flower, you can’t smell it either, otherwise blisters appear on the affected areas the next day, as if from a burn, which soon burst and expose bare meat.

Yasenets near the Black River near Sevastopol

This plant is called unburnt for an interesting property - its fruits contain essential oils, and in such quantities that if, during the period of seed ripening in sunny calm weather, a match is brought to the bush, the air around will flare up for a second, and the plant will remain unharmed. Not all researchers agree that the Bible mentions exactly the ash tree. They remind that there was a bush with thorns, which the ash does not have.

olive tree(European or cultivated olive, European olive, olive tree) On the southern coast of Crimea there are old olive groves that look like they were planted in biblical times:

Olive grove in Nikitsky botanical garden

This useful oil-bearing plant was apparently brought here along with grapes by ancient Greek settlers.

Olive trees in the park of the sanatorium. Aivazovsky in Partenit

In the Bible, olives, the tree itself, flowers, fruits, olive oil, are mentioned both directly and allegorically. For example, King David owned olive orchards, oil was added and added to the myrrh. A dove brings an olive branch to Noah, thus indicating that the flood is ending. It is also held in the hands of the Archangel Gabriel, telling the Virgin Mary the good news.

Palm. With palm branches, the inhabitants of Jerusalem met Jesus Christ. John the Theologian saw the saints before the throne of God with palm branches in their hands. There are many palm alleys and separately growing trees on the southern coast of Crimea. They tolerate short-term frosts and even snowfalls well.

Palm trees in Gurzuf, in the sanatorium "Pushkino"

In the Nikitsky Botanical Garden you can admire a whole collection of these heat-loving plants:

One of the palm groves of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden

Moreover, the palmarium is expanding and in recent years many new species have been planted.

One of the corners of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden

Grape. More often than this plant in the Bible, only the olive tree is found. Raisins, vines, wine, vineyards are mentioned in the Holy Book in connection with a variety of events.

Grape varieties "Moldova"

For example, King David takes raisins on the road, and he also receives them from Abigail with other gifts. Jesus on the cross is smeared with a sponge soaked in sour wine. Often grapes are used allegorically, for example, identifying Christ with the true vine, and his followers with its branches.

Old vineyard near the village of Chernorechye

In Crimea, grapes have been grown almost since biblical times, and therefore many autochthonous varieties have been preserved here, there are also wines made from them, for example, the famous Black Doctor.

New vineyard in the vicinity of the village. Angular

Hyssop is mentioned in the Bible 12 times and each time it is associated with some kind of ritual that helps to cleanse, whiten, protect, anesthetize something. Now this volatile plant is also used for medicinal and culinary purposes, and simply decorates the streets. southern cities. In Crimea, it can be found in various places, in parks, squares, flowerbeds.

hyssop blooms

Juniper mentioned in the Bible in connection with the life of the prophet Elijah, who rests under it, and then finds food under it. Again, the researchers argue whether it was exactly a juniper or the translation is incorrect, and if it is a juniper, then what kind?

Junipers at Cape Sarych

Grow in the Crimea different types junipers, some of them are listed in the Red Book, so when buying products from its wood, tourists either indulge poachers or acquire fakes - products from other wood soaked in coniferous oils.

Juniper right on the rock - a typical Crimean picture

Saffron(crocus) is mentioned in Scripture only once - in the Old Testament in the Book of Song of Solomon in the list fragrant plants next to nard, calamus, cinnamon and myrrh.

Crocus - one of the Crimean snowdrops

In Crimea, it can be found everywhere, in forests, on city lawns, in the front gardens of local residents. Its delicate flowers can also be found in autumn - these colchicums:

Autumn saffron on the Omega beach in Sevastopol

And these crocuses were taken on the Baidar Pass, where, together with bright blue scillas, they bloom in early spring in mountain forests under the crowns of trees that have not yet spread their leaves:

Saffron on the Baidar Pass

Cypress It is mentioned 7 times in the Bible. For example, in the Old Testament in the Book of the prophet Isaiah, the Lord promises to open springs and plant plants in the desert - cedar, myrtle, olive, cypress, sycamore .... Now the Crimean landscapes cannot be imagined without these dark green candles. It is hard to believe that they were created not by nature, but by people - the ancient Greeks brought them out of the local wild form with horizontal branches. Most likely, the authors of the Bible meant it.

Alley of old cypresses in Simeiz

In the Crimea, the pyramidal cypress was settled twice. First, he arrived here with Greek settlers in the 1st millennium BC, and when they practically left the peninsula, the cypress trees gradually disappeared too - the old ones died over time, no one was engaged in breeding new ones. After the annexation of Crimea to Russia in the 18th century, this volatile plant was brought back.

Judas tree(Purple or Cercis European, Judaic tree). Once upon a time it was brought to the Crimea as an ornamental culture, but it grew wild and now often grows on its own, especially in Sevastopol and its environs. Its main feature is that flowers bloom not only at the ends of the branches, but also right on the trunks.

Flowers on the trunk of a Judas tree

There are two versions of the appearance of this name. According to the first, it was on its branches that Judas Iscariot strangled himself, according to the other, the birthplace of this plant is Judea, and it is named after him.

Crimson blooms - Judaic tree

By the way, there are many versions of what Judas hanged himself on. These are the aspen, because of which its foliage still trembles with horror, the birch, whose trunk has turned white with fear, the alder, the wood of which, allegedly since then, has acquired a reddish color, elderberry, mountain ash, etc. In general, almost every nation has its own version.

Adam's apple(Maclura orange or apple-bearing, false orange, inedible, Indian or Chinese orange, mulberry dye). This plant was brought to Europe from North America as an ornamental crop. First of all, its inedible, but unusual fruits, resembling tennis balls, attract attention. They are also green, have an uneven surface and can reach 15 cm in diameter, but usually about 10 cm.

Maclura on a branch

You can admire them in any Crimean market. Although the Crimeans themselves do not use this plant in any way, they are happy to sell its fruits to gullible tourists as a panacea for all diseases. According to legend, it was this inedible and even poisonous fruit, and not a tasty apple, that convinced Adam and Eve to try the cunning Serpent. According to another version, God in anger turned the fruits of the Tree of Knowledge into these inedible balls.

Garnet(Pomegranate, Pomegranate tree). Everyone tried the fruits of this tree, but few northerners saw how it grows (except on window sills, decorative varieties). Crimea provides such an opportunity, although even here it is a little cold, so the easiest way to see this exotic is in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden, which is located on the South Bank, in a place with the mildest climate.

Ripe pomegranates in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden

In the Bible, the pomegranate, or rather its fruit - the pomegranate apple, is mentioned several times. Including there is a version that Eve, seduced by the Serpent, treated Adam with a pomegranate apple, and not a nasty maclura.

There are a lot of mistletoe in Crimea. In summer, it is almost invisible, but in winter, its balls, dressing trees in green, which have long shed their own foliage, are visible from afar.