Zapovednik Ussuriysky, in Primorsky Krai, was established in 1932. Its area is 40,4
thousand ha. The Zapovednik is located on the spurs of Sikhote-Alin, in the upper reaches
of the basins of the rivers Komarovka and Artemovka.
The topography is low-mountainous (elevations of 300-400 m above the sea level prevail,
the highest elevation being 700 m).
Woodland covers 99% of the area. The plant cover shows two altitude zones: up to 600 m
— coniferous-broad-leaved forests grow; higher, north and northwest of the Zapovednik,
fir-spruce forests grow. Coniferous-broad-leaved forests are formed mainly by the
following species: Korean pine, needle fir, heartleaf hornbeam. Some sites display a high
species diversity: in certain plots smaller than 1 ha in area up to 50-60 tree and shrub
species are found, several liana species and more than 100 herbaceous plants.
Fir forests are also famous for their diverse flora. It includes: lindens, Amur oak
tree, Manchurian walnut, Actinidia arguta, etc. The fir-spruce forests are formed by Yeddo
spruce (Picea jesoensis, Khingam fir, Abies nephrolepis, Korean piner Mongolian oak, etc.
At the rivers valleys broad-leaved forests of Manchurian ash, the elm Ulmus japonica,
Japan poplar grow and there are also small sites of alder and Chosenia. Plants growing on
the cliffs and talus are peculiar. Occasionally, in between the rocks lonely-standing
individual trees of Siberian pine, Yeddo spruce, Khingam fir, Mono maple, Acer
ukurunduense, Syringa wolfii, Woodsia polystichoides can be found. On the southern-facing
slopes grow: needle juniper (Juniperus rigida) and Juniperus davurica.
The flora comprises about 850 species. The Manchurian floristic complex dominates. The
rare and endangered plant species are: Japanese red pine, tea-plant, Chinese ginseng,
Japanese yew needle juniper, etc.
The fauna is typical of coniferous-broad-leaved and broad-leaved forests. The mammals
dwellers are: the wild boar, Manchurian wapiti, musk deer; indigenous sika deer has been
restored. The common species are the Asiatic black bear and ermine. There are diverse
shrews and bats usual.
The following birds are common: warblers, Siberian blue robin, nutcracker, and hazel
grouse.
Among the reptiles, Ussurian mamushi and Aurinia saxatilis are numerous, Amur
chickensnake and Pallas' coluber also occur; Vibakari snake is rare.
There are numerous animal species listed in the Red Data Book of the Russian
Federation, including the tiger (constantly dwells and breeds), Asiatic black bear, Felis
euptilura. The Red Data Book birds are: the mandarin duck, black stork; amphibian species:
Onychodactylus fischeri.
