Askania-Nova
Encyclopedia
Askania-Nova is a biosphere reserve
(sanctuary) located in Kherson Oblast
, Ukraine
, within the dry Taurida steppe
near Oleshky Sands
. The reserve consists of a zoological park, a botanical (dendrological) garden, and an open territory of virgin steppes.
In March 1919, Askania-Nova was confiscated from the Falz-Fein family by the Red Army as part of the state nationalization programme. The last owner refused to evacuate to Germany. She was Sofia-Louise Bohdanivna (Gottlieb) Knauff (1835 - 1919), the mother of Friedrich Falz-Fein. Her refusal resulted in her summary execution by two Red Army guardsmen who shot her for failing to surrender her estate in Khorly (today - port-town in Kherson Oblast
). On April 1, 1919, Askania-Nova was declared a People's Sanctuary Park
by a decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the Ukrainian SSR; while on February 8, 1921, it was reorganized into a State Steppe Reserve of the Ukrainian SSR. The main purposes of the reserve was to preserve and study the environment of the virgin steppe as well as possibly to acclimatize and study a larger number of animal and plant types. Askania-Nova became a scientific-steppe station, a zoo-technical station with breeding farms, a phyto-technical station, and included various other scientific institutions. Notably, the zoo and botanical garden were greatly expanded. Part of the reserve included portions of steppe reserve, an acclimatization zoo, and an arboretum
. From 1932 to 1956, the reserve was transformed into the All-Union scientific-research institute for the hybridization and acclimatization of animals of M. Ivanov. It consisted of 12 departments (including the botanical garden, steppe reserve steppe, and zoo), nine laboratories, conducting experimental farming, and four breeding centres for agricultural animals. The institute became the centre of scientific-researching works in the field of breed creation and the major hub for breeding farms. During both World War I
and World War II
the reserve was devastated.
In 1983, Askania-Nova was reorganized into a biosphere reserve
and the following year it was designated as the Soviet member of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves
of UNESCO
. After the fall of the Soviet Union
, in 1993, Ukraine
confirmed the status of the biosphere reserve Askania-Nova.
The biosphere reserve
The reserve consists of the acclimatization zoo, arboretum (2.1 km², or 518.9 acre), and virgin steppe
sanctuary (110 km², or 42.5 sq mi), the last such area in Europe) and has total area of 825 km² (318.5 sq mi).
In addition to local species it hosts ostriches, bisons, antelopes, wild horses, llamas, zebras and many bird species. More than 200 species of foliaceous and coniferous plants were brought from different parts of the world and planted in the dendrologic garden during 1885 - 1902. About 600 higher plants (both perennial and annual), 16 species of which were entered to the Red Data Book of Ukraine, have been preserved in their primary natural form.
The reserve is known for the group of Przewalski's Horse
, the largest group kept in captivity, living on area around 30 km² (11.5 sq mi).
The Askania-Nova wetland Great Chapli Depression is registered on the International list of Ramsar Convention
and has an area of 4x6 km.
Part of the sanctuary include a small town and six villages with total population of 10,000 people (1997). There is no direct railroad station in the area and the sanctuary can be reached by bus.
In 2008, Askania was named one of Seven Natural Wonders of Ukraine
.
includes five small rural settlements: Illinka (569), Komysh (313), Molochne (762), Novyi Etap (72), Pytomnyk (859); and a separate rural municipality of Markeyevo (783) consisting a former village of the same name. Towards the sanctuary and the town of Askania-Nova leads a "spur" of the regional route which branches out from the main route near the village of Chkalove (Novotroitske Raion). The main route of runs from Kherson
to Henichesk
and intersects European routes and .
Biosphere reserve
The Man and the Biosphere Programme of UNESCO was established in 1971 to promote interdisciplinary approaches to management, research and education in ecosystem conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.-Development:...
(sanctuary) located in Kherson Oblast
Kherson Oblast
Kherson Oblast is an oblast in southern Ukraine, just north of Crimea. Its administrative center is Kherson. The area of the region is 29000 km², its population is 1.12 million.Important cities in the oblast include:...
, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, within the dry Taurida steppe
Steppe
In physical geography, steppe is an ecoregion, in the montane grasslands and shrublands and temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biomes, characterized by grassland plains without trees apart from those near rivers and lakes...
near Oleshky Sands
Oleshky Sands
Oleshky Sands is the largest expanse of sand in Ukraine. It is situated inland from the Ukrainian coast of the Black Sea and consists of sand dunes or kuchuhury , which reach a height of five meters...
. The reserve consists of a zoological park, a botanical (dendrological) garden, and an open territory of virgin steppes.
History
The nature reserve was established in 1898 by Friedrich-Jacob Eduardovych Falz-Fein (1863 - 1920) around the German colony of Askania-Nova (meaning "New Land" in German) which only in 1890 became an organized settlement, khutir.In March 1919, Askania-Nova was confiscated from the Falz-Fein family by the Red Army as part of the state nationalization programme. The last owner refused to evacuate to Germany. She was Sofia-Louise Bohdanivna (Gottlieb) Knauff (1835 - 1919), the mother of Friedrich Falz-Fein. Her refusal resulted in her summary execution by two Red Army guardsmen who shot her for failing to surrender her estate in Khorly (today - port-town in Kherson Oblast
Kherson Oblast
Kherson Oblast is an oblast in southern Ukraine, just north of Crimea. Its administrative center is Kherson. The area of the region is 29000 km², its population is 1.12 million.Important cities in the oblast include:...
). On April 1, 1919, Askania-Nova was declared a People's Sanctuary Park
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
by a decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the Ukrainian SSR; while on February 8, 1921, it was reorganized into a State Steppe Reserve of the Ukrainian SSR. The main purposes of the reserve was to preserve and study the environment of the virgin steppe as well as possibly to acclimatize and study a larger number of animal and plant types. Askania-Nova became a scientific-steppe station, a zoo-technical station with breeding farms, a phyto-technical station, and included various other scientific institutions. Notably, the zoo and botanical garden were greatly expanded. Part of the reserve included portions of steppe reserve, an acclimatization zoo, and an arboretum
Arboretum
An arboretum in a narrow sense is a collection of trees only. Related collections include a fruticetum , and a viticetum, a collection of vines. More commonly, today, an arboretum is a botanical garden containing living collections of woody plants intended at least partly for scientific study...
. From 1932 to 1956, the reserve was transformed into the All-Union scientific-research institute for the hybridization and acclimatization of animals of M. Ivanov. It consisted of 12 departments (including the botanical garden, steppe reserve steppe, and zoo), nine laboratories, conducting experimental farming, and four breeding centres for agricultural animals. The institute became the centre of scientific-researching works in the field of breed creation and the major hub for breeding farms. During both World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the reserve was devastated.
In 1983, Askania-Nova was reorganized into a biosphere reserve
Biosphere reserve
The Man and the Biosphere Programme of UNESCO was established in 1971 to promote interdisciplinary approaches to management, research and education in ecosystem conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.-Development:...
and the following year it was designated as the Soviet member of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves
World Network of Biosphere Reserves
The UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves covers internationally-designated protected areas, known as biosphere reserves, that are meant to demonstrate a balanced relationship between man and nature The UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves covers internationally-designated protected...
of UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
. After the fall of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, in 1993, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
confirmed the status of the biosphere reserve Askania-Nova.
The biosphere reserveBiosphere reserveThe Man and the Biosphere Programme of UNESCO was established in 1971 to promote interdisciplinary approaches to management, research and education in ecosystem conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.-Development:...
Steppe
In physical geography, steppe is an ecoregion, in the montane grasslands and shrublands and temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biomes, characterized by grassland plains without trees apart from those near rivers and lakes...
sanctuary (110 km², or 42.5 sq mi), the last such area in Europe) and has total area of 825 km² (318.5 sq mi).
In addition to local species it hosts ostriches, bisons, antelopes, wild horses, llamas, zebras and many bird species. More than 200 species of foliaceous and coniferous plants were brought from different parts of the world and planted in the dendrologic garden during 1885 - 1902. About 600 higher plants (both perennial and annual), 16 species of which were entered to the Red Data Book of Ukraine, have been preserved in their primary natural form.
The reserve is known for the group of Przewalski's Horse
Przewalski's Horse
Przewalski's Horse or Dzungarian Horse, is a rare and endangered subspecies of wild horse native to the steppes of central Asia, specifically China and Mongolia.At one time extinct in the wild, it has been reintroduced to its native habitat in Mongolia at the Khustain Nuruu...
, the largest group kept in captivity, living on area around 30 km² (11.5 sq mi).
The Askania-Nova wetland Great Chapli Depression is registered on the International list of Ramsar Convention
Ramsar Convention
The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands, i.e., to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural,...
and has an area of 4x6 km.
Part of the sanctuary include a small town and six villages with total population of 10,000 people (1997). There is no direct railroad station in the area and the sanctuary can be reached by bus.
In 2008, Askania was named one of Seven Natural Wonders of Ukraine
Seven Natural Wonders of Ukraine
The Seven Natural Wonders of Ukraine is the second stage of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine program. They are the seven natural attractions of Ukraine, which were chosen in the Seven Natural Wonders of Ukraine on August 26, 2008...
.
Access
The sanctuary is located in a relatively remote area. Its territory completely overlaps the Askania Nova municipality which beside its main townAskania-Nova (settlement)
Askania-Nova is an urban type settlement in the Chaplynskyi Raion, Kherson Oblast of southern Ukraine, near the Askania-Nova biosphere reserve. It has a population of 3,475.-History:...
includes five small rural settlements: Illinka (569), Komysh (313), Molochne (762), Novyi Etap (72), Pytomnyk (859); and a separate rural municipality of Markeyevo (783) consisting a former village of the same name. Towards the sanctuary and the town of Askania-Nova leads a "spur" of the regional route which branches out from the main route near the village of Chkalove (Novotroitske Raion). The main route of runs from Kherson
Kherson
Kherson is a city in southern Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Kherson Oblast , and is designated as its own separate raion within the oblast. Kherson is an important port on the Black Sea and Dnieper River, and the home of a major ship-building industry...
to Henichesk
Henichesk
Henichesk is a port city along the Sea of Azov in the Kherson Oblast of southern Ukraine. Serving as the administrative center of the Henichesky Raion , the city itself is also designated as a separate raion within the oblast.-References:...
and intersects European routes and .
External links
- Friedrich von Falz-Fein - Genealogical pages on the Falz-Fein family tracing the history of Askania-Nova back to Johann Fein, in English
- Webpage in Russian
- Page of Ascania-Nova on the 7wonders of Ukraine website - in Ukrainian