Main Page / Information About UNDP/GEF Project / UNDP/GEF Project Framework / Project sites: Bystrinsky Nature Park

Project sites: Bystrinsky Nature Park

Located in the centre of the Kamchatka peninsula, the 1,325,000 ha. (13,250 km2) Bystrinsky Nature Park was designated an Oblast park in 1995. Bystrinsky straddles the central mountain range of the peninsula and is of particular importance for the conservation of mountain ecosystems, their indicative species, and the headwaters of significant salmonid rivers. Bystrinsky contains 16 plant species endemic to the Kamchatka peninsula. Coniferous forests grow on the eastern slopes of the central range in Bystrinsky with larch and spruce being predominant, while stone birch dominates on the western side of the range. Some 615 species of vascular plants have been recorded in the park. The park also harbours IUCN Red Book plant species.

The park has the highest population of snow sheep and domesticated reindeer on the peninsula, and is also an important brown bear hibernation area. The black-capped marmot is also found here. The area encompasses the upper reaches of important watersheds for many rivers that flow into the Sea of Okhotsk along the peninsula's west coast, as well as part of the Kamchatka River, which flows north and east into the Bering Sea. This park is also administered by the Kamchatka Nature Parks Directorate.

‹‹ Back