National park mari chodra and caves. Mari Chodra National Park

Location and history of the Mari Chodra National Park

National park "Mari Chodra"in 1985 on the territory of the Republic of Mari El. The national park is located in the southeast of the Republic of Mari El, in its most economically developed part, on the territory of three administrative districts: Morkinsky, Zvenigovsky, Volzhsky. There are 5 settlements, where about 15 thousand people live.

Square national park- 36.6 thousand hectares, all lands are provided to the national park. Forest lands occupy 34.0 thousand hectares (92.9% of the park's territory), incl. covered with forest - 33.5 thousand hectares (91.5%).

Non-forest land occupies only 7.1% of the park's territory, among them: hayfields, pastures, arable land - 1%, water - 2%, swamps - 1%, roads and glades - 2%, the rest are farmsteads and other lands. The national park is located at a distance of 60 km from the city of Yoshkar-Ola and 30 km from the city of Volzhsk. Its territory is crossed by the Yoshkar-Ola-Moscow railway and the Yoshkar-Ola-Kazan highway of republican significance.

Nature of the national park "Mari Chodra"

The flora and vegetation of the park are diverse. Its territory is located at the southern boundary of the coniferous-deciduous forests of the subtaiga zone, and in floristic terms - at the junction of the European and West Siberian provinces of the Euro-Siberian floristic region. The flora of this limited area includes 774 species and subspecies from 363 genera of 93 families, which is more than 67%. A number of taiga species, both European (European spruce) and Siberian (Siberian fir), are found here with elements of forest-steppe (summer oak) and steppes (feather grass).

Pine forests grow mainly on sandy and sandy loam soils and account for 27.7% of forests. Pure green moss pine forests prevail among them, often with the participation of aspen, birch, and sometimes spruce. A special place belongs to sphagnum pine forests. Although their area is only about 600 hectares, they are an important component of the natural complex of the park. Spruce forests are represented in a mosaic pattern and occupy only 3.3% of the forest area. They may include pine, birch, aspen.

The flora of the park includes about 50 rare species, which is 1/4 of the list of rare and endangered species of local flora. Of the species listed in the Red Book of the USSR (1984), there is a real slipper and a red pollen head. Relic plants can be seen on sphagnum bogs: marsh hamarbia, magellanic and string-root sedges, white wildcat, multifilament cotton grass, sundew. Some plant species have become extinct as a result of the disappearance of plant communities. For example, from marsh - marsh dremlik, single-leaved pulp, compressed stream, Lapland willow, and from field - common cockle. As a result of increased exploitation, the endangered species include sandy cmin, pure white water lily, curly lily, Siberian iris, etc.

Animals of the national park "Mari Chodra"

The park is inhabited by many animal strips of mixed forests of the European part of Russia. This is due to the ecological and trophic diversity of habitat conditions, as well as the geographical position of the park at the junction natural areas. Animal world republic is well studied. However, a systematic study of the fauna of the national park has not yet been carried out. But if we exclude the species that live in ecotopes that are unusual for the park (the forest-steppe part of the republic, the Volga valley, the Cheboksary reservoir), then it should be assumed that about 50 species of mammals, about 100 - birds and 29 species of fish live in its lands.

Among mammals, the most numerous order of rodents. In the forests of the park, from the family of squirrels, there are squirrels and chipmunks, a recent eastern alien; from the family of mice - wood mouse, bank vole, yellow-throated mouse, etc. From the order of hares, the white hare is not uncommon, and the brown hare is occasionally found along the borders with fields. The order of carnivores is represented by the weasel family: weasel, ermine, polecat, pine marten, European and, possibly, American mink - all are relatively few in number. The otter, noted according to Yushut, is especially rare. Interestingly, mink sometimes hunts birds, in particular hazel grouse, by voice. Of the felines, the lynx appears to come in. Elk are common in the forests. Another representative of the artiodactyl order, the wild boar, is less common. In the lands of Mari-Chodra, especially in the Ileta floodplain, in overmature forests in hollows, many bats live. Specially protected species include the otter and beaver, which were brought from the Voronezh nature reserve and released into the republic’s lands in 1947. It is interesting that beavers were previously found on the Irovka, a tributary of the Ileta, but were exterminated.

The most widespread are birds of the passerine order, whose life is associated with forests: jay, magpie, oriole, crossbills, pika, nuthatch, titmouse, etc. This should also include birds from the order of woodpeckers: great and small variegated woodpeckers, woodpeckers. In mixed forests with a varied and dense undergrowth, representatives of the thrush family are common: the field thrush, the miser's, the blackbird. Among the forest birds that lead nocturnal and twilight life, although less common, should be named the long-eared owl, the hawk owl, the fur-legged owl and the largest of the owl family - the eagle owl. The common nightjar is common. Of the grouse birds, taiga species live in the park: wood grouse (unfortunately, sharply reduced its numbers) and hazel grouse. A resident of the forest-steppe and deciduous forests - the black grouse - keeps on cutting down and young stands. Of the family of snipe, the woodcock is common, less common due to the limited meadow-marsh spaces of the snipe and great snipe. The family of pigeons is represented by wood pigeon, klintukh and turtledove. The first two live in old oak forests on Maple Mountain and feed on acorns. Of the daytime birds of prey, the most common are the buzzard, the goshawk, and the black kite.

No nesting eagles found. But flights of the golden eagle - the largest eagle - are possible. Another rare feathered predator - the osprey - was recorded along the river. Ilet, a few south of the park... Until recently, gray herons lived in the park: two pairs of herons nested on huge pines on the banks of the Ileta. Currently they are not. Of the waterfowl nesting birds in floodplain lakes and swampy channels, the mallard duck and the teal-whistle are common; they are less common on reservoirs of failed origin. Possibly habitat of gogol - a typical forest duck, arranging nests in hollows. Seasonal concentrations of birds are small. In autumn, diving ducks stop temporarily on the lakes, and in spring the passage over the flooded rivers is more lively. In autumn and winter, bullfinches, waxwings, sometimes nutcrackers, etc. migrate.

Birds: woodcock, spotted woodpecker, spotted woodpecker, clintuch, black kite, osprey, owl

Mammals: marten, elk, forest mouse, European mink, forest ferret

Insects: forest ant

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National Park "Mari Chodra" is the most picturesque object in the Republic of Mari El. It is located in the southeast of the republic, in its most economically developed part, on the territory of three administrative regions: Morkinsky, Zvenigovsky and Volzhsky (Figure 3.1).

The purpose of creation is to protect rare and endangered species of flora (115 rare and endangered species of flora are registered on the territory of the park), fauna and historical and archaeological monuments.

The area of the national park is 36.6 thousand hectares, all land is provided to the national park. Forest lands occupy 34 thousand hectares (92.9% of the park's territory), including those covered with forest - 33.5 thousand hectares (91.5%).

Non-forest land occupies only 7.1% of the park's territory, among them: hayfields, pastures, arable land - 1%, water - 2%, swamps - 1%, roads and glades - 2%, the rest are farmsteads and other lands.

The national park is located at a distance of 60 km from the city of Yoshkar-Ola and 30 km from the city of Volzhsk. Its territory is crossed by the Yoshkar-Ola-Moscow railway and the Yoshkar-Ola-Kazan highway of republican significance.

Relief. Most of the territory of the national park belongs to the Iletskiy high-flat southern taiga region with the development of modern karst. It is a slightly undulating plain with absolute heights 75 ... 125 m above sea level, with island heights (Klenovogorskaya, Kerebelyakskaya). The active manifestation of the karst process led to the development of karst landforms - numerous craters up to 50-60 m in diameter and sinkhole-type lakes up to 35 m deep.

Climate. The climate of the area where the national park "Mari Chodra" is located is moderately continental, characterized by relatively hot summers and frosty winters with a stable snow cover. The average annual air temperature fluctuates in the range of +2 ... + 3 ºС. The average long-term monthly temperature of the warmest month - July - is +18.6 ºС. The absolute minimum air temperature reaches -52 ºС. The average duration of the warm season with temperatures above 0 ºС is about 200 days.

The territory belongs to the zone of unstable moisture, there are years with sufficient, sometimes excessive moisture, and sometimes dry. Precipitation falls unevenly throughout the year. The largest number of them is observed in the summer, the smallest - in the winter. During the year, an average of about 500 mm of precipitation falls. During the warm period (April - October) - about 150 mm. The largest monthly amount of precipitation is observed in July - 60 ... 700 mm.

The invasion of cold air masses from the polar basin by northern, northwestern and northeasterly winds causes a sharp drop in temperature in winter, and frosts occur in spring and autumn. Often, continental air masses invade the park from the southeast. In spring or summer, they cause dry conditions, in winter - clear and frosty weather.

Reservoirs. The park has a large number of lakes and rivers, as well as oxbows of the river. Ilet. The main river of the national park "Mari Chodra" is the r. Ilet (Fig. 3.2) with its left-bank tributaries: r. Yushut, r. Arbaika, r. Uba, the river flows into it on the right. Petalka.

The Ilet River has a significant longitudinal slope and a large number of springs. The river bed is meandering, the banks are gentle, swampy in places, and steep in the Klenovaya Gora region. The channel is composed of limestone and sand and is subject to active deformation.

The channel width reaches 20-40 m, the depth is relatively uneven. The Ilet River flows through a plain with slightly undulating relief, covered with mixed forest. During the warm period of the year, the water content of the river allows tourist boats to pass.

More than 20 springs come out to Ilet near the Maple Mountain. The most significant is Zeleny Klyuch, gushing at the foot of the mountain on the left bank of the Ileta, about 2 km upstream from the mouth of the Yushut (Fig. 3.3).

Zeleny Klyuch is a sulphate-calcium medicinal-table spring with a total mineralization of 2.3 g / l.

The water can be used in the treatment of diseases of the stomach, liver, urinary tract and metabolic disorders.

Interesting way out underground source in the valley of Ileta below the Green Key, on the territory of the village. Krasnogorskiy. It flows into the village from under the limestone slope. Then, under the name p. Atlashka water from the spring flows through the village and after 2 km flows into the Ilet River. Thus, the settlement began with a settlement near a spring.

Local lakes add a special beauty to the natural landscapes. In the forested valley of Ileta, there are many ancient lakes of various shapes and sizes. All lakes are of failure origin, they are forest, with the exception of Kozhla-Solinsky lake.

Some of them are rich curative mud... Larger and more accessible lakes - Yalchik and Kichier - have long had federal health resorts on their shores.

On the lake Yalchik of a sinkhole origin of karst origin (length 1600 m, width 250 ... 900 m, depth up to 35 m) there are rest houses, sports and recreation and pioneer camps (Fig. 3.4).

More than 300 people rest in them at the same time.

On the lake. Kichier, almost equal in area to the water mirror of Yalchik, but with a shallow part overgrown in the east, there are two sanatoriums.

Lakes Glukhoe, Konanyer, Mushan-er, and smaller and more distant lakes, are explored by unorganized tourists. Kozhla-Solinskoe lake is located in the village. Krasnogorskiy. On the shore of the lake is located administrative center national park.

The water of forest karst lakes is highly transparent, with the exception of peat water bodies. It was especially famous for the quality of water before the lake. Yalchik. But, in last years Unfortunately, there is a recreational overload of the lake with vacationers, free visitors and fishermen. This load has recently led to an increase in the turbidity of the water of the unique lake.

Soils. The soil cover is varied due to the differences in topography and underlying rocks. The most common soils (81% of the area of the national park) are podzolic and soddy-podzolic soils. Typically podzolic soils are marked with small spots along relief elevations, among the main background of soddy-podzolic soils. They occupy dry and moist areas covered with green moss pine forests. Sod-podzolic sandy and sandy loam soils are noted on 5% of the park's area. They lie along high relief elements. The upper soil horizons are enriched with humus in many places.

Vegetation. Physically and geographically, the territory of the Mari Chodra National Park is located at the junction of three natural zones: southern taiga (mixed forests), coniferous-deciduous (deciduous) forests and forest-steppe zones. Due to the variety of landscapes, a natural originality and richness of vegetation and flora develops here.

Therefore, the territorial ecological balance is quite high. The ecological balance in territorial areas has been developing for centuries. In this regard, it is required to analyze the component ecological imbalance due to the high anthropogenic, primarily recreational, load.

The national park is dominated by forest vegetation, where the largest share is pine forests (50.2%). Before the creation of the national park, clear and selective felling was carried out on this territory, and pine crops were created in the vacated space. Spruce forests are represented in a mosaic pattern and occupy only 4.6% of the forest area.

Thus, the park is a post-industrial territory with the components of the vegetation cover preserved in its original form and virgin land plots... Per object of study spruce forests are accepted, adjacent directly to the village of Krasnogorsk and suffering the greatest anthropogenic load from local residents, automotive and railroad, arable land, as well as from the buffer zone of the international gas pipeline Urengoy - Pomary - Uzhgorod.

The vegetation of the park includes two types of oak forests. On the heights (Maple Gora, Katai Gora), oak forests grow with the participation of linden, maple, elm, elm with an admixture of conifers. These are upland oak forests. On the floodplain of the river. There are floodplain oak forests. Secondary forests - various types of birch and aspen forests - occupy about 1/3 of the park's area. They stood here instead of the felled coniferous stands. The area occupied by meadows is insignificant. They are found in the form of small areas in river floodplains, as well as near settlements, in clearings. In the southern part of the territory of the national park, dry meadows with elements of forest-steppe flora are noted, therefore, the study of floodplain meadows of different formations is also scientifically interesting.

The flora of the park contains plants listed in the Red Book Russian Federation- five species, and plants listed in the Red Book of the RME - 50 species. From the plants of the Red Book of the Russian Federation, four types of orchids should be noted.

The largest orchid in the flora of the national park is the real slipper - a beautiful perennial plant topped with reddish-brownish-yellow flowers. Another extremely rare orchid in the park is the red pollen head, which occurs on calcareous soils and blooms irregularly. Feather grass, also listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, together with gypsophila paniculata, sheep's fescue, and gray-gray keleria are forest-steppe elements of the park's flora and are found in its southern part.

Among the typical taiga species, Siberian fir, white svidina, blueberries and others are noted, as well as relict species - common ram, flattened and spikelet diphaziastrum, Parisian two-leafed grass, large-flowered single-flowered tree, common weasel and others.

Relict plants can still be found on sphagnum bogs, which occupy an insignificant part of the park's territory, these are marsh gammarbia, cotton grass with many spikes, various types of sundews, as well as marsh dumplings, Lapp and Vinogradov willows, listed in the Red Book of the Mari El Republic (RME).

The rarest tree in the Mari Chodra National Park is the black poplar (black poplar), listed in the RME Red Book, found in the floodplains of the river. Ilet and r. Yushut.

Animal world. The fauna of the national park "Mari Chodra" has a mixed character, due to the peculiarities geographic location the territory occupied by the park. The fauna contains taiga species (brown bear, elk, capercaillie, hazel grouse); species of coniferous-deciduous forests (yellow-throated mouse, squirrel, oriole, green woodpecker), as well as forest-steppe species (European hare, field mouse, reddish ground squirrel, common hamster). Such biological diversity not only among plants, but also animals, makes the territory of the national park very attractive for scientists and students.

The component balance between plants and animals, as well as fungi and microorganisms, can be studied on the basis of the methodology proposed in this book.

These are tasks for future young researchers.

In total, there are 56 species of mammals in the national park, of which the most representative is the order of rodents. The order of predatory animals is represented by the weasel family: weasel, ermine, polecat, pine marten, European mink, American mink. The red fox is common. The reservoirs are inhabited by muskrat, otter and beaver, introduced and released into the park in 1947.

Lives in the park and desman - a rare species listed in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Red Book of the Russian Federation. Representatives of the order of ungulates - elk and wild boar - are rare.

The avifauna of the national park is represented by 164 species of birds, of which 12 species are included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation and 38 species - in the Red Book of the RME. The most representative are the groups of chickens (capercaillie, hazel grouse, black grouse), anseriformes (mallard, gray goose, whooper swan, witch, common gogol), owls (white owl, eagle owl, long-eared owl). There are many falconiformes in the park (osprey, red-footed falcon, kestrel, hobby, golden eagle, buzzard, white-tailed eagle, snake eagle, black kite) and passerines (raven, magpie, jay, chaffinch, siskin, goldfinch).

The rivers and lakes of the park are inhabited by more than 43 species of fish, such as catfish, pike, gold and silver crucian carp, carp, tench, bream. A rare species, the European grayling, lives in the channels of the Ilet River.

Tourism and rest. For numerous tourists and vacationers, equipped excursion and tourist routes are offered.

They pass through the picturesque places of the Mari Chodra National Park and provide an opportunity to get acquainted with the rich and varied nature, the historical past (Fig. 3.5) of the park.

Along all the routes, you can see frequent changes in landforms and natural landscapes. There are many karst sinkholes here, if you wish to visit the Nature Museum of the NP "Mari Chodra", historical monuments(Pugachev's Oak, Old Kazan tract), natural monuments (Zeleny Klyuch mineral spring, Klenovogorskaya oak forest, Yalchik, Glukhoye, Kichier, Shut-Er, Kuzh-Er, Ergezh-er, Shet-er lakes, as well as look at the Maple Mountain with observation deck on Shungaldan Hill).

In a specially protected area, environmental protection, first of all, is reduced to respect for existing natural sites... And for this it is necessary to understand the life of all the inhabitants of the protected area, including humans. Therefore, engineering and environmental studies are needed, in particular, forest stands.

The local population and visitors should not only have a love of nature and a unique land, but also an intuitive ability to measure properties. natural sites for the timely diagnosis of the quality of woody and other plants, the state of the animal and flora around settlements.

The park was founded in 1985 to preserve the standard natural complexes of the Republic of Mari El. Translated from the Mari language "Mari Chodra" means "Mari forest". The entire territory of the park is covered with beautiful pine forests and coniferous-deciduous forests. The park is decorated with clean and beautiful karst lakes, many of which are declared natural monuments. The attraction of the park and in abundance mineral springs... The largest of these is the Green Spring, which water is used for healing.

Relief
The territory of the park is formed by the southern spurs of the Mari-Vyatka Uval. The southwestern part of the park is adjacent to the r. Volga. Most of the territory belongs to the Iletskiy high-flat southern taiga region with the development of modern karst, a smaller part - to the Polesskiy valley-terrace lake region of mixed forests. The area of the park is a slightly undulating plain with island heights (Kerebeliakskaya, Klenovogorskaya), with absolute heights of 75–125 m above sea level. m. The highest absolute mark of the territory - the top of the Maple Mountain - 196.0 m above sea level. The active manifestation of the karst process led to the development of karst landforms - numerous craters, up to 50-60 m in diameter, and sinkhole-type lakes, up to 35-40 m deep.

Hydrology
Lakes. A significant number of picturesque lakes of karst origin are located in the park. Most of them are declared natural monuments, Glukhoe, Kichier, Yalchik, Ergezh-Er, Shut-Er, Kuzh-Er, Shungaldan. They are round or oblong in shape, up to 40 m deep, with a silt bottom. The lakes are fed by springs or small rivers and streams. Some of them have underground connections with neighboring rivers.

Lake Glukhoe is located 4 km east of the village. Yalchinsky. The shores of the lake are relatively high, steep, overgrown with forest. Lake area 22.0 hectares, maximum depth 23 m, length 2140 m, width 100 m. The water is dark, brownish in color. The bottom of the lake is dense, partly sandy or limestone.

Lake Kichier is located in the Yalchinsky forestry. The shores are gentle, sandy, in places slightly swampy. The area of the lake is 46.0 hectares, the maximum depth is 16 m, and the total length is 3 km. Consists of three interconnected pools. The water is dark. The bottom is muddy. Silt is dark, black, with the smell of hydrogen sulfide.

Lake Yalchik is located in the Yalchinsky forestry. It consists of a central large basin and three adjacent ones, connected to it by narrow and shallow straits. The shores of the lake are mostly sandy and silty in places. The highest and steepest are the eastern and northern shores. The lake is surrounded on almost all sides by a mixed forest with a predominance of pine. The area of the lake is about 150 hectares, the maximum depth is 35 m. The water is clear. The bottom is sandy.

Lake Ergezh-Er (translated from the Mari as Round). Located in the Kerebeliak forestry. It is part of the system of karst lakes located at the foot of the Kerebeliak Uplands. The area of the lake is 4.5 hectares, the maximum depth is 13 m, the length is 350 m, the width is 150 m. The water is clear. Bottom sediments are insignificant.

Lake Shut-Er (translated from the Mari, Black). Located in the Kerebeliak forestry. It is included in the system of karst lakes located at the foot of the Kerebeliak Uplands ledge along its eastern steep slope. The area of the lake is 28.9 hectares, the maximum depth is 17.5 m, the length is 1550 m, the width is 300 m. The water is dark in color. Bottom sediments are insignificant. Food is mixed (groundwater, springs, swamps). The banks are high, but not steep.

Lake Kuzh-Er (translated from the Mari Long). Located in the Kerebeliak forestry. It is included in the system of karst lakes located at the foot of the Kerebeliak Uplands ledge along its eastern steep slope. The area of the lake is 25.0 hectares, the maximum depth is 26.5 m, the length is 1300 m, the width is 200 m. The transparency of the water is 4 m. It is fed from underground waters, partly from the springs of the western shore. Bottom sediments are insignificant. Northern and south coast swampy. The western bank is high (about 40 m). From the northern corner of the lake flows a channel that flows into the lake. Ergezh Er.

Lake Shungaldan is located 1.5 km from the Zeleny Klyuch mineral spring, on the left bank of the river. Ilet. The lake is oval in shape, failed in origin, with swampy shores. In water, the content of hydrogen sulfide reaches 50-75 mg per 1 liter, which gives water valuable medicinal properties for external use in the form of baths.

Mineral spring Zeleny Klyuch is located at the foot of Klenovaya Gora, 1.8 km from the mouth of the river. Yushut. The spring water rises from the bottom of the funnel, the diameter of which is about 2 m, and partially flows out from under the base of Klenovaya Gora, joining into one stream, up to 6 m wide and 0.7–0.8 m deep. Ilet. Water consumption from 1000 to 1540 l / s. The water temperature is constant throughout the year at 6.5 ° C. In terms of chemical composition, the water is sulphate-calcium.

Rivers. Main river Ilet Park crosses it from northeast to southwest and flows into the Volga. Its left-bank tributaries - r. Yushut, Arbaika, Uba. On the right, the river flows into it. Petyalka. Ilet flows along a plain with slightly undulating relief, covered with mixed forests, its speed is 0.2–0.8 m / s. In winter, the river does not freeze. The river bed is meandering, composed of limestones and sands, subject to deformation, the banks are gentle, in places swampy. The channel width reaches 20–40 m.

The floodplain of the Ilet 'river is two-sided, up to 500 m wide, overgrown with bushes and mixed forests. There are about 200 oxbow lakes in its floodplain and tributaries, where beavers, minks, muskrats, otters live, waterfowl nests, and fish are found. Many of the old women are rich in curative mud. During the warm period of the year, the water content of the river allows tourist boats to pass.

Soil
The soil cover is varied due to differences in topography and underlying rocks. The most common soils (81% of the park area) are podzolic and soddy-podzolic soils.

Climate
The climate of the park territory is moderately continental. It is characterized by relatively hot summers and frosty winters with a stable snow cover. average temperature The warmest month of July is 18.6 ° C. The absolute minimum air temperature in winter reaches -52 C. The average duration of the warm season with temperatures above 0 ° C is about 200 days.

The territory of the park belongs to the zone of unstable moisture: there are years with sufficient, sometimes excessive moisture, but there are also dry years. During the year, precipitation falls unevenly: the largest amount is observed in the summer, the least - in the winter. During the year, an average of about 500 mm of precipitation falls. The largest monthly amount of precipitation is observed in July - 60–70 mm. The intrusion of cold air masses from the polar basin with northerly, northwestern and northeasterly winds causes a sharp drop in temperature in winter, and frosts in spring and autumn. Often, continental air masses invade the park from the southeast. In spring or summer, they cause dry conditions, in winter - clear, frosty weather.

National Park "Mari Chodra" is one of the most beautiful corners of our state, the pearl of the Mari region. His business card by right are the purest lakes and springs, deep rivers, forests with their diversity of flora and fauna. The territory of the national park includes natural complexes and objects of the Middle Volga region, which have a special ecological, historical and aesthetic value, which are intended for use in nature conservation, educational, scientific, cultural purposes and for regulated tourism.

Any activity that may damage natural complexes and objects of flora and fauna, cultural and historical objects of the national park is prohibited on the territory of the national park. In this regard, a differentiated regime of protection has been established in the park, taking into account its natural, historical, cultural and other features, and five functional zones have been allocated on the territory of the park.

The vertebrate fauna of the Mari Chodra National Park is of mixed character due to the peculiarities of the geographical position of the territory occupied by the park. The fauna of the national park includes taiga species (brown bear, elk, capercaillie, hazel grouse), 4 species of coniferous-deciduous forests (yellow-burning mouse, squirrel, dormouse, oriole, green woodpecker), as well as forest-steppe species (brown hare, field mouse, reddish gopher, common hamster). A total of 58 species of mammals are represented in the park, of which 1 species is included in the IUCN Red List, 2 species are included in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation and 17 species are included in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Mari El.

The avifauna of the national park is represented by 188 bird species, of which 11 species are in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation and 44 species are in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Mari El. The most representative are the groups of chickens (capercaillie, hazel grouse, black grouse), anseriformes (mallard, gray goose, whooper swan, witch, common gogol, pintail), owls (white owl, eagle owl, long-eared owl, long-tailed and gray owl (), falcon , red fawn, kestrel, chegolok, golden eagle, buzzard, white-tailed eagle, snake eagle, black kite) and passerines (raven, magpie, jay, chaffinch, siskin, goldfinch).

Amphibians and reptiles are represented by 13 and 6 species, respectively. More than 43 species of fish live in the rivers and lakes of the park - catfish, pike, crucian carp, gold and silver, carp, tench, bream. A rare species, the European grayling, lives in the channels of the Ilet River. The invertebrates of the Mari Chodra National Park have not been sufficiently studied. To date, 281 species of arachnids, 10 species of flatworms, 1408 species of insects, 73 species of molluscs have been identified.

Lake Yalchik is the most big lake in the Republic of Mari El
By origin, the lake is a sinkhole-karst. It consists of two lakes, Bolshoi and Maly Yalchik, connected by a channel, which periodically dries up in summer.
There is a legend that the lake was formed after a washed-out meadow collapsed. The last big crash happened in 1914 and created a big wave.
Lake Yalchik is one of the popular places for summer vacation residents of Mari El and the Republic of Tatarstan. There are many explanations for its popularity. Firstly, it is the amazing nature that surrounds the lake. Secondly, purest water, and around the majestic coniferous forests. The forest is not only transparent, but also, one might say, healing air.
Besides the purest lake, in the water area there are 20 health institutions. These are children's health camps, boarding houses and recreation centers.

In the tourist town of Kugu-Er there are 14 houses for tourists: two and four people. At the service of vacationers: rental of sports equipment, catamarans, boats, the opportunity to cook food on the fire and relax with the whole family or a friendly company. There is a beach on the shore where you can sunbathe.

Ecological and local history trail "Human Footprint"
The route passes through the forest of one of the unique natural sites - the national park "Mari Chodra".
The route follows historical sites Lushmar forestry
"Old Kazan tract"
"Yushut River"
"Mineral springs"
"Floodplain oak forests"
"River Ilet"
"Stone quarry"
"Mixed forest"

You can also visit the equestrian section, where you will find an exciting horse ride along a small route for beginners (300 rubles) or riding in a circle on the bit (50 rubles).

Old Kazan tract
This road in the past connected the city of Kazan with Tsarevokokshaisk, now the city of Yoshkar-Ola. It was the most difficult of the post roads of the Kazan province and the only one where carts went. The road ran mostly in swampy and sparsely populated places among the forest, which impeded the movement of both foot and horse, and loaded carts. In addition, there are several steep and dangerous descents and ascents from the city of Kazan to Klenovaya Gora. It is known from history that Emelyan Pugachev with his army of 500 people, leaving Kazan, passed through the Mari forests: in particular, along the Kazan highway. Not far from Lake Konan-Er, he climbed an oak tree and through spyglass peered into the city of Kazan, engulfed in fire. Until now, this oak is called "Pugachev's oak", and these places are called "Pugachev's" places.

The old Kazan tract was the main "artery" connecting the city of Kazan with the Mari capital, the proud Yoshkar-Ola (Tsarevokokshaisk). But after the railway bridge over the Ilet River was built in 1927, it lost its former importance. The first train reached the Ilet station and returned back to Kazan. After construction railway bridge the train was able to reach the capital of the Republic of Mari - El - Yoshkar-Ola. The construction of this road was carried out by hand, using a pick, shovels, wheelbarrows and stretchers. Construction began in the 60s road- highway. Imagine, before, to get from Krasnogorskiy village to Tsarevokokshaisk, truck drivers took vouchers for three days. And in places where it was impossible to drive (through swamps, sands) there were tractors that pulled these stuck cars. And so, now the Old Kazan tract has completely lost its significance and is already overgrown with young growth.

Yushut river
From the stone quarry we go down to the mouth of the Yushut. Here, up along its bank, a velvety green plain continues, which along the opposite bank is bordered by fragrant thickets of riverine willows and the hillside of the Iletsk bank. It is a beautiful and convenient place for holding rallies and competitions. Fast and nimble Yushut attracts athletes not only with its beauty, but also with a good natural training ground for water competitions.
A large number of mineral springs flow into the Yushut River. The water in them is cool and tastes good. They say: if you go down to the stream and quickly rinse your face three times with this water, your headache will go away, your vitality and mood will increase.

Floodplain oak forests
Now let's look at a floodplain oak forest - oaks are 100-200 years old. Oak is a short word, but not at all simple. And its meaning is still debated. Some believe that this word "means" dark because of the dark color of the oak core. And also because the color of stained oak (which has been under water for a long time) is dark gray or even black. Others argue that "oak" means "mighty, strong." Indeed, and, indeed, a durable oak tree for all trees.

Ilet river
Unhurriedly, carries its waters, meandering and winding among the forests, the beautiful Ilet, sung in Mari legends and songs. The water in it is transparent, like a tear, cold as ice, but does not freeze even in severe frosts. This is the most large river flowing through the park. Ilet originates in the Paranginsky region, flows in the south-western direction and 10 km above the city of Volzhsk flows into the river. Volga. Feeding on many underground springs, the Ilet River carries rather cold waters, highly saturated with calcium salts, thanks to which it does not freeze in winter. This river is very popular with water tourists. Kayaking is very interesting and attracts both beginner and experienced travelers. Back at the beginning of the 20th century, it was a toiler river, along which ship timber was floated. Now the need for rafting has disappeared, but you can still find dilapidated dams and a lot of sunken logs on the Ileta and its tributaries. Here you can swim in the river, organize a picnic. There are tables, equipped fireplaces.

Stone quarry
Behind the forest giants, on a hillock, a country road, running up like a snake, and disappearing into the dense forest of young coniferous stands, disappeared. In the 60s, a stone quarry and a workers' settlement were located on the site of these plantings. It housed a shop and offices of the rafting area, as well as a career management.
In the quarry, stone was mined for the construction of the Yoshkar-Ola-Volzhsk highway. Many individual developers have used crushed stone to lay foundations when building houses. The nearest collective farms, state farms and organizations used local raw materials to improve country roads, village streets and other works. The newly-born enterprise was developing, gaining capacity, going to the forefront. But it was merged with another, larger enterprise, but located too far away, and the quarry became unprofitable, neglected and stalled.

The forest restores human strength and health. And the route in the park goes through the forest. Here you will see amazing plants and maybe, if you are lucky, wild animals; hear the music of the forest: birdsong, the rustle of foliage, the murmur of a stream. Here is the kingdom wildlife... Together with the guide, you will learn many legends about these plants and animals.
Sometimes you really want to take a break from the bustle of the city, to find yourself in an ecologically clean environment, to feel an inextricable connection with nature. You have a unique opportunity to realize your desires on the route to give yourself an unforgettable pleasure from the walk.

Horse tour "According to the legends of the Mari Territory"
A route for lovers of the present active rest Outdoors. The proposed route passes through the picturesque places of the Mari Chodra National Park and provides an opportunity to get acquainted with the rich and varied nature, the historical past and the economy of the Mari Chodra National Park. Along the route you can observe the change of landforms and landscapes, castro funnels and lakes, visit historical monuments. The sites do not need special physical training, good enough health, psychological readiness for field conditions and spending the night in a tent, and love for horses.

Bus and walking tour "Travel on the Maple Mountains"
"Maple Mountains" is a wonderful land, with its fabulous nature, beautiful blue lakes and springs, mighty oaks and slender maples, is located in the center of the Mari Chodra National Park. The swift river Ilet washes the foot of the Maple Mountain, and from its top, an amazing view of the forest tracts opens up, stretching for many kilometers around.
Numerous vacationers, tourists and just nature lovers come to visit every year scenic spots, enjoy the aroma of flowering lilies of the valley, taste the purest mineral water, just breathe fresh air, take a break from the city bustle and monotony.
The ecological route, laid along the Maple Mountain, leaves in your memory an indelible impression of the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
During the excursion you will visit the Museum of Nature, the observation deck "Shungaldan", a karst sinkhole, the mineral spring "Green Key", the Ilet River, "Pugacheva's Oak", Lake Mushan-Er.

The Nature Museum of the Mari Chodra National Park is located in the Klenovogorsk forestry in the village of Ilet.
The museum stands provide information about the history of the creation of the Mari Chodra National Park, its flora and fauna, natural monuments, archaeological finds. An interesting model of a karst sinkhole, most of which are found in the vicinity of Klenovaya Gora. Everything is beautiful, impressionable, informative, interesting.
Now we will climb to the Shungaldan observation deck, which is translated from the Mari language as “a steep, clayey river bank with a fast current”. "Shungaldan" opened with a steep 50-meter cliff. From this observation deck, a wide open space opens up for a view, a beautiful panorama of the Kerebeliak Upland. On the other side is the protected area of the national park "Mari Chodra", its visit is strictly prohibited. A protected area in national parks is created to preserve and study nature in its original form.
Karst sinkholes are an interesting natural phenomenon. Traveling along the "Klenovogor" and, especially, on the top of the mountain, one often encounters large and small pits, which have a characteristic appearance: an almost regular circumference and slope of the slopes - funnel-shaped. Karst sinkholes are formed as a result of dissolution of water-soluble soil rocks by groundwater underground with the formation of underground voids and subsequent failure. Karst sinkholes are large, several tens of hectares. Over time, they fill with water and form large lakes... Lakes of karst origin are Yalchik, Mushan-Er, Konan-Er, Glukhoe and others.

Mineral spring "Green Key"- This is the largest of the 200 mineral springs in the Klenovaya Gora region. Water rises from the bottom of a two-meter funnel and flows out from under the base of Maple Mountain, and, joining in a single stream, rushes into the Ilet River. The spring does not freeze in winter and has a constant water temperature of + 6.50 degrees throughout the year. In terms of composition, the water in the spring is sulphate-calcium, and has extensive indications for therapeutic use.

Pugachev's oak
A giant oak stands proudly at the top of Maple Mountain. According to legend, he "remembers" how the voivode himself, the peasant patron Emelyan Pugachev, who left besieged Kazan with his troops in 1774, rested under his crown. The giant stretched out its mighty "arms" - the boughs. A tall, dumpy hero, the beauty and pride of the Russian forest. In 1969, Pugachev's Oak was declared a valuable forest site.

Lake Mushan-Er
This favorite place recreation of residents and guests of the Republic of Mari El. The lake settled on the northeastern slope of Maple Mountain. The northern shore of the lake presents a steep slope with several terraces. On the shores of the lake there are tourist camps equipped with “forest furniture” and places for making fires. The banks are covered with pine forests, in places turning into pine-birch. This gives the forest its beauty and attractiveness.

Trips to Mari Chodra are carried out by the travel company "Family Suitcase"