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Project sites: Kronotsky State Biosphere Reserve

Originally established in 1934, but with its boundaries re-defined in 1966, 1982 and 1992, Kronotsky Zapovednik presently covers an area of approximately 1,142,000 ha. (11,420 km2), including 135,000 ha (1,350 km2) of abutting marine habitat along the eastern-central coast of Kamchatka. Kronotsky was designated a Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme in 1984 in recognition of its rich biological and volcanic heritage. The reserve is famous for its 12 active volcanoes, and the following unique nature sites are of special scientific, aesthetic and recreational value.

The Valley of the Geysers - a rare natural phenomenon manifesting the various forms of volcanism: geysers, pulsating hotsprings, steam vents, mud pots and thermal lakes;

      The Uzon Caldera - an unique area of manifestations of present-day geological and microbiological processes: thermal springs and pools host thermophilic bacteria;

      The Kronotskoye Lake - one of the peninsula's largest freshwater lake. The Kronotskoye Lake harbours an endemic species of freshwater kokanee salmon and three endemic species of char salmon. The uniqueness of the lake's ichthyofauna is widely recognized.

      The reserve also provides prime habitat for brown bears. Approximately 900 bears are thought to occur in the reserve.

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