Zapovednik Poronaisky, in Poronaisky District of the Sakhalin Region, was established
in 1988. It consists of two parts; the total area is 56,7 thousand ha.
The Zapovednik is located in the eastern part of the Sakhalin Island within the widest
part of Tym-Poronaiskaya Lowland and the southern part of the Central Ridge of
East-Sakhalin Mountains. The highest elevation is 350 m above the sea level (Vysokaya
Mountain).
The rivers and brooks are of the mountainous type.
The Zapovednik lies in the District of true moss dark coniferous forests, spruce
prevailing. At higher elevations, spruce-fir forests are replaced by spruce-fir-birch
stands.
The flora, typical of dark coniferous forests of the Far East, is not rich due to the
harsh climate. On the seashore meadow plants grow; thickets of Rosa rugosa are
characteristic. The northwestern part of the Zapovednik is covered with mires.
In the fauna of the Zapovednik woodland part taiga species predominate, with an
admixture of species typical of broad-leaved forests of Ðrimorye. On the rocks maritime
colonial birds nest, including the common guillemot, black-tailed gull, spectacled
guillemot, crested and least, murrelet, parakeet auklet (Cyclorhynchus psittacula), etc. A
large Big bird rookery is located on cape Terpeniya.
The Zapovednik is of great importance, being situated on the flyway of birds; about 170
migratory birds stop over there to rest. Some birds winter in non-freezing water of the
Terpeniya Bay.
The following species are listed the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation: the
Sakhalin musk deer (Moschus moschiferu sakhalinensis), Aleutian tern, mandarin duck,
osprey, Steller's sea eagle, white-tailed eagle, peregrine falcon. The reindeer, sable,
otter, brown bear dwelling in the Zapovednik, are commercially important species.
