UNESCO - MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory

	Biosphere Reserve Information
	Russian Federation OKSKIY	© Photo: Okskiy Biosphere Reserve


General Description	This reserve is situated in the south-east of Moscow along the middle flow of the Oka River and is part of the Meschera lowland. It is situated at the junction of three biogeographic zones: the broad-leaved forest zone, comprising the biggest part, the taiga and the forest-steppe zone to the south. The biosphere reserve also comprises a Ramsar site, covering an extensive floodplain of lowland rivers, lakes and forested peatlands which provide habitat for many waterfowls and waders. In the buffer zone of the reserve, traditional natural resource use (e.g. wood processing, hay harvesting, cattle raising, berry and mushrooms gathering) is carried out by some 9,000 people (2002). Within the area, there is a European Bison Breeding Center, established in 1959, and a Crane Breeding Center founded in 1979. The new generations of Bison (about 300) and Siberian Crane (around 80) from both Centers will be released into nature. The biosphere reserve also hosts a library, the Menzbir Ornithological Society archives and a science data bank.
Major ecosystem type	Temperate and sub-polar broadleaf forests or woodlands (including mixed forests)
Major habitats & land cover types	Mixed pine forests (Pinus sylvestris) with birch (Betula sp.), oak (Quercus robur) and alder (AInus glutinosa); oak forests with lime (Tilia cordata) and maple (Acer platanoides) in undergrowth; spruce (Picea sp.) forests; sphagnum bogs, and flood-plain meadows.
Location	54°40' to 55°00'N; 40°35' to 41°01'E
Area (hectares)
Total	77,193
Core area(s)	22,604
Buffer zone(s)	21,449
Transition area(s) when given	33,140
Altitude (metres above sea level)	+80 to +200
Year designated	1978
Administrative authorities	Director of Okskiy Zapovednik reporting to the Federal Ministry of Natural Resources

Last updated: 3/1/2007