{tab Overview}
{tab Map}
{zhyandexmap:146}
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The reserve was founded in 1935 for the purpose of conservation, restoration and rational use of ecological systems in Khopyor valley. Another important mission of the reserve was to preserve and restore the population of the Russian desman. It is located in the southeastern part of the Oka-Don plain, in the valley of the river Khopyor. The reserve stretches for 50 km along the river Khopyor from north to south, the width ranges from 1.5 to 9 km. Total area of the reserve is 16.2 thousand hectares. About 80% of the reserve area is covered by forests, dominated by riparian and upland oak, 80-100 years old. There are unique black alder forests aged 70-90 years. On the right bank of the Khopyor steppe plots are preserved. Significant areas are occupied by meadows. Being located in the floodplain of the Khopyor river, about 80% of the territory is flooded during high water, this fact that defines the development of natural complexes of the floodplain. A reserve area has about 400 lakes and oxbow lakes. Rich flora is the pearl of the reserve,it comprises about 1200 species of higher plants so that the reserve can be called one of the richest floristic reserves on the plains of Eastern Europe.
{oziogallery 375}