Baikal and the Baikal natural area. State Natural Biosphere Reserve "Barguzinsky Lake Baikal as a UNESCO World Heritage Site"

11.10.2019

Lake Baikal.

Baikal was included in the List world heritage UNESCO in 1996 according to four natural criteria.:
(vii) The object is natural phenomenon or a space of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance.
(viii) The property is an outstanding example of the main stages of the history of the Earth, including a monument of the past, a symbol of ongoing geological processes in the development of relief, or a symbol of geomorphological or physiographic features.
(ix) The property is an outstanding example of ongoing ecological or biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems and plant and animal communities.

(x) The property includes the most important or significant natural environment habitats for the conservation of biological diversity in it, including endangered species of exceptional world value from the point of view of science and protection.

The lake is located in the Russian Federation, on the border of the Irkutsk region and the Republic of Buryatia, stretches from northeast to southwest for 620 km in the form of a crescent. The width of Baikal ranges from 24 to 80 km.

Baikal is the deepest and oldest lake on earth. The maximum depth of the lake is 1642 m. It is located at the point with coordinates 53°14′59″ N. sh. 108°05′11″ E (established in 1983 by the expedition of the GUNiO MO, confirmed in 2002 as a result of the Belgian-Spanish-Russian project to create a new bathymetric map of Baikal)
Baikal is located in the mainland basin: the lowest point of the basin lies 1187 m below sea level
The average depth of the lake is 744.4 m. The water surface of the lake covers an area 31,722 km². Stocks fresh water in Baikal - 23,615.39 km³ (about 19% of the world's fresh lake water reserves)
The geological rift system that gave rise to Lake Baikal was formed in Mesozoic period. The age of the Baikal basin is estimated at 20-25 Ma. The Baikal rift zone belongs to areas with high seismicity; earthquakes regularly occur here, the strength of which is one or two points.
336 rivers and streams flow into Baikal. The largest of them are Selenga, Upper Angara, Barguzin, Turka, Snezhnaya, Sarma. One river flows out of the lake - the Angara.

(View from a height of 734 km, altitude: 952 km.)

The Svyatoy Nos peninsula is the largest peninsula that separates the Chivyrkuisky and Barguzinsky bays. The largest island of the lake is Olkhon. The Ushkany Islands are four islands in the middle part of Lake Baikal: Big, Round, Thin and Long. By area, they are about 10 sq.m. Small Toinaki.
In the north of the lake are the islands of Yarki and Millionny.
The Ushkany Islands are known for the largest rookery of the Baikal seal. The Baikal seal is an endemic of the lake and a landmark of the Zabaikalsky national park.

Baikal seals.

Seal cub.

There are about 2600 species and subspecies of living organisms in Baikal.
About 1000 species are endemic.
The most famous fish of Baikal: Baikal omul, grayling, whitefish, Baikal sturgeon, golomyanka.
A number of rare forms of aquatic invertebrates (sponges, amphipods) live in the lake.

The crustacean Baikal epishura plays a very important role in the ecosystem of the lake. This representative of the planktonic crustacean species, 1.5 mm in size, consumes organic matter by passing water through its body. Being a natural filter, the Baikal epishura purifies the water of the lake.

On the eastern coast of Lake Baikal is the Zabaikalsky National Park, on the west coast is the Pribaikalsky National Park.
The flora of the coastal zone of Lake Baikal is represented by more than 800 plant species.
Among about 50 species of mammals that live in the coastal zone in swamps, in steppes and forest-steppes, in foothill and mountain forests, high mountain regions: wild reindeer, maral, elk, musk deer, wild boar, Brown bear, wolf, fox, sable, ermine, weasel, squirrel, chipmunk, tarbagan marmot, otter, muskrat.

About 250 species of birds live in the Baikal region. The rarest species are: peregrine falcon, osprey, golden eagle, black crane, white-tailed eagle.

A World Natural Heritage Site along with other Russian sites: "Virgin Komi Forests", "Volcanoes of Kamchatka", "Golden Mountains of Altai", "Wrangel Island", etc.

The list of World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites includes areas of outstanding global natural resource values. In addition, the desire of the country in which this site is located is necessary to protect and preserve it.

Re-profiling the BPPM so that it ceases to be a source of pollution;

Reduce the discharge of pollutants into the Selenga;

Allocate additional funds to ensure the activities of nature reserves and national parks;

Provide and strengthen support scientific research and monitoring on the lake. .

Many of these issues, unfortunately, have not yet been resolved. However, it is impossible not to note a number of serious environmental measures that have been implemented to date.

Source: knowledge: textbook. allowance / N. S. Berkin, A. A. Makarov, O. T. Rusinek. - Irkutsk: Publishing house Irk. state university, 2009

- Natural World Heritage Site

On December 5, 1996, by decision of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee at its XX session, held in the Mexican city of Merida, the lake was included as a natural site in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The committee's decision notes: “The lake is a classic case of a World Heritage site that satisfies all four natural criteria. The lake is located in the central part of the site. The features of the lake, hidden to a greater extent from the eyes of water, are of the main value for science and protection. The lake is surrounded by mountain-taiga landscapes and specially protected natural areas, mostly preserved in their natural state and representing additional value.

The lake is a limnological wonder and an area with the following excellent qualities:

The geological rift system that gave rise to the lake formed during the Mesozoic period. The lake is the oldest and most deep lake on the ground. Various tectonic forces still continue their action, as evidenced by the outlets of thermal flows from the depths of the lake.

The evolution of aquatic organisms that has taken place during this long period has led to the formation of an exceptionally unique endemic fauna and flora. The lake is the "Galapagos Islands of Russia", is of exceptional value for the study of evolution.

The picturesque landscape around the Baikal basin with mountain ranges, boreal forests, tundra, lakes, islands and steppes provides an exceptionally beautiful environment for the lake. - the largest reservoir of fresh water on Earth (20% of all world reserves), which additionally characterizes it as a unique phenomenon.

The lake is one of the most biodiverse lakes on Earth and is home to 1,340 animal species (745 endemic) and 570 plant species (150 endemic). In the forests surrounding the lake, there are 10 species of plants listed in the Red Book International Union Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and a complete composition of typical boreal species is presented.

Source: Volkov, S. Po y / Sergey Volkov. - M. : AST: AST Moscow, 2010. - 568 p.

Read in

Terms

Tourism (anthropogenic influence)
Assignment of the status of a World Natural Heritage Site
Adoption of the law on e. Ecological zoning of the bsky natural territory
Central ecological zone BPT
buffer ecological zone
Ecological zone of atmospheric influence
Creation of a network of specially protected natural areas
A set of other environmental measures

Other resources

Natural phenomenon a // Goldfarb S.I.
as a World Heritage Site // Karnyshev A.D.
Baikal // Geography and Natural resources, 1988. No. 2. - S. 31-39.
Grishchenko V.I., Ryabtsev B.V. To the 20th anniversary of the Pribaikalsky National Park: results, main problems // Proceedings of the Pribaikalsky National Park. Issue. 2. - Irkutsk: Irkut Publishing House. state un-ta, 2007. - S.362-387.

Notes

Ryashchenko S. V. Site of the world natural heritage "Lake" in the international and national dimensions // Volna. - 2007, No. 1 (45). – P. 40–43.

Lake Baikal. Surroundings of Peschanaya Bay

In 2016, 20 years have passed since Lake Baikal was included in the World Natural Heritage List. This happened on December 5, 1996 by decision of the 20th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in the Mexican city of Merida. Russia has filed an application for the inclusion of Baikal in the World Natural Heritage List.

To be inscribed on the Natural World Heritage List, a candidate property must meet at least one of four criteria:

be an outstanding example representing the main stages of the development of the Earth, including evidence of ancient life, significant geological processes in the stage of formation of landforms, geomorphological and physiographic elements of great importance; or
be an outstanding example representing ecological and biological evolutionary processes, the development of ecosystems and terrestrial, river, coastal and marine plant and animal communities; or
represent a natural phenomenon or area of exceptional aesthetic value; or
contain the habitats of the most representative and important for conservation biodiversity species, including those areas where species of outstanding global scientific and conservation importance and endangered species are conserved.

Baikal satisfied all four. Of the thousands of natural sites on the List, just over a dozen meet the four criteria.

The decision adopted by the UNESCO Committee noted:

“Lake Baikal is a classic case of a World Heritage Site, fulfilling all four natural criteria. Baikal itself is the main object of the nomination. The features of the lake, hidden to a greater extent from the eyes of water, are of the main value for science and protection. The lake is surrounded by mountain-taiga landscapes and specially protected natural areas, mostly preserved in their natural state and representing additional value. Lake Baikal is a limnological wonder and an area with the following excellent qualities:

The geological rift system that gave rise to Lake Baikal formed during the Mesozoic period. Lake Baikal is the oldest and deepest lake on Earth. Various tectonic forces still continue their action, as evidenced by the outlets of thermal flows from the depths of the lake.
The evolution of aquatic organisms that has taken place throughout this long period has led to the formation of unique endemic flora and fauna. Lake Baikal is the "Galapagos Islands of Russia" and is of exceptional value for the study of evolution.
The picturesque landscape around the Baikal basin with mountain ranges, boreal forests, tundra, lakes, islands and steppes provides an exceptionally picturesque environment for Lake Baikal. Baikal is the largest reservoir of fresh water on Earth (20% of all world reserves), which additionally characterizes it as a unique phenomenon.
Lake Baikal is one of the most biodiverse lakes on Earth, with 1,340 animal species (745 endemic) and 570 plant species (150 endemic). In the forests surrounding the lake, there are 10 species of plants listed in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and a complete composition of typical boreal species is presented.

When Baikal was included in the World Natural Heritage List, the Russian leadership was given special recommendations.

Cultural criteria: vii, viii, ix, x
Year of inscription on the World Heritage List: 1996

One of the largest World Natural Heritage sites is a gigantic area (8.8 million hectares), located in the south of Eastern Siberia, not far from the borders with Mongolia. In the center of this area, at an altitude of 456 m above sea level, is the water area of Lake Baikal, and its outer boundaries are mainly delineated by the so-called "first catchment area", i.e. we are talking about a huge "bowl" bounded by high mountain ranges - Khamar-Daban, Primorsky, Baikal, Barguzinsky, Ulan-Burgasy, etc.

Baikal holds the world championship in several important parameters at once. So, this is the oldest freshwater reservoir on our planet - its age is usually determined at 25 million years. Further, Baikal, which occupies a huge ancient graben (tectonic fault), which belongs to one of the world's largest rift systems, is recognized as the deepest lake in the world - its maximum depth mark is 1620 m. Yes, and in terms of its overall size, Baikal is also one of the largest lakes in the world : it has a length of 636 km, and its water surface extends over an area of 3.15 million hectares (in Russia this is the most large lake, in the world - in 6th place). Baikal contains a gigantic amount of fresh water - approximately 20% of all world reserves. The transparency of the Baikal waters is also amazing - individual objects are visible at a depth of up to 40 m. The lake is distinguished by the richest and most unusual freshwater life: out of several thousand species and varieties of plants and animals inhabiting this lake, 3/4 are recognized as endemic, which is an exceptionally high indicator by world standards. Among the endemics are such key elements of the lake ecosystem as the epishura crustacean, Baikal omul and seal (Baikal seal), as well as viviparous fish - golomyanka plus a number of rare forms of aquatic invertebrates (sponges, amphipods, etc.).

Baikal is a valuable fishing reservoir: out of 50 species of fish, 17 are of great commercial importance; this list, which begins with the most famous Baikal omul, also includes sturgeon, whitefish, grayling, ide, carp, etc.

Finally, Baikal is famous for its beauties, which attracts tourists from all over the country and from abroad to its shores, this is one of the most popular regions in Russia for ecotourism (animal watching, educational trails), as well as sports (mountain and water hiking) and fishing (gathering gifts from the taiga, hunting and fishing). There are many picturesque bays, there are excellent beaches, the coast is decorated with bizarre cliffs and rocky outcrops. Water excursions are carried out on the lake (including on several large cruise ships), and along the southwestern shore you can ride along the old Circum-Baikal Railway (1904), with a mass of tunnels and bridges, which is a real monument of engineering art. On the shores of Lake Baikal (which was discovered by Russian pioneers in the middle of the 17th century), traces of settlements from the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages, ancient burials were found, there are many interesting monuments of history and culture. At present, the Great Baikal Trail (GBT) is being designed around the entire Baikal.

A significant part of the Baikal coast is occupied by various specially protected areas, which form around the lake, as it were, a “reserved necklace”. This "necklace" includes three reserves - Barguzinsky (Buryatia, northeast coast, Barguzinsky ridge, area 374.3 thousand hectares, created in 1916, has the status of a biosphere reserve), Baikal (Buryatia, southern coast, Khamar ridge -Daban, 165.7 thousand ha, 1969, biosphere reserve) and Baikal-Lensky (Irkutsk region, northwestern coast, Baikal Range, sources of the Lena River, 660 thousand ha, 1986). These are also two national parks - Pribaikalsky (Irkutsk region, the entire western and southwestern coast of the lake, the area of \u200b\u200bthe Primorsky Range, including Olkhon Island and the sources of the Angara; 418 thousand hectares, 1986) and Zabaikalsky (Buryatia, eastern coast, Barguzinsky ridge, Svyatoi Nos peninsula, lake Arangatui, Barguzinsky and Chivyrkuisky bays, Ushkany Islands, 267 thousand hectares, 1986). 1/10 of the territory of the Tunkinsky National Park, in Buryatia, also falls within the boundaries of the World Heritage site. The "reserved necklace" also includes a number of reserves and natural monuments, including two federal reserves - on Lake Frolikha and Kabansky (the latter - in the Selenga River Delta, a wetland of international importance, is protected under the Ramsar Convention). The natural environment of Lake Baikal is notable, firstly, because it performs the most important protective (buffer) function in relation to the water area. It is clear that the fate of the lake itself largely depends on the ecological state of the landscapes surrounding Baikal.

Secondly, the natural environment of Lake Baikal is of great value in itself: after all, these are vast forests and swamps, the richest fauna and flora, exotic alpine landforms (glacial lakes and cirques, canyons, sharp ridges). The coast and foothills are mainly covered with steppes and forest-steppes, low mountains and middle mountains are covered with pine, spruce, larch forests, cedars and fir forests, above them they are replaced by elfin cedar, rhododendrons, mountain tundra and bald mountains.

The flora of the coastal zone of Lake Baikal is represented by more than 800 species of higher plants, including a number of endemic and rare forms (for example, rare plants grow in the Pribaikalsky National Park - large-flowered slipper, Turchaninov's meadow, incised violet).

Among about 50 species of mammals that live in the coastal zone in swamps, in the steppes and forest-steppes, in the foothill and mountain forests, as well as in the middle of high mountain char and tundra, the most typical are such as wild reindeer, deer, elk, musk deer, wild boar , brown bear, wolf, fox, sable (including the famous Barguzin subspecies), ermine, Siberian weasel, squirrel, chipmunk, tarbagan marmot, otter and muskrat. Large rookeries of the Baikal seal are located on the Ushkany Islands, the total number of this animal in Baikal is now 60-70 thousand people.

And among the birds (of which there are about 250 species), we will mention, on the contrary, the rarest ones listed in the Red Book of Russia, such as: peregrine falcon, osprey, golden eagle, black crane and white-tailed eagle (the last two are also in the International Red Book). Large concentrations of waterfowl are observed in the area of Lake Arangatui, and in winter - in the non-freezing sources of the Angara. This site on the UNESCO World Heritage Center website whc.unesco.org/en/list/754

World Heritage Site "Lake Baikal"

Lake Baikal belongs to the world natural heritage sites. In 1996, Baikal, together with the coastal zone, with a total area of about 8.8 million hectares. was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Baikal holds the world championship in several important parameters at once. Lake Baikal is the oldest freshwater reservoir on our planet - its age is estimated at 25 million years.
Baikal, which occupies a huge ancient graben (tectonic fault) belonging to one of the largest rift systems in the world, is recognized as the deepest lake in the world - its maximum depth exceeds 1600 m. In terms of size, Baikal is also one of the largest lakes in the world: it has a length of 636 km, and its water surface extends over an area of 3.15 million hectares (in Russia it is the largest lake, in the world - in 6th place).
Lake Baikal contains a gigantic amount of fresh water - approximately 20% of all world reserves. The transparency of Baikal waters is also amazing - individual objects are visible at a depth of up to 40 m.

The lake is distinguished by the richest and most unusual freshwater life: out of several thousand species and varieties of plants and animals inhabiting this lake, 3/4 are recognized as endemic, which is an exceptionally high indicator by world standards. Among the endemics are such key elements of the lake ecosystem as the epishura crustacean, Baikal omul and seal (Baikal seal), as well as viviparous fish - golomyanka, as well as a number of rare forms of aquatic invertebrates (sponges, amphipods, etc.) .
Baikal is a valuable fishing reservoir: out of 50 species of fish, 17 are of great commercial importance; this list, which begins with the most famous Baikal omul, also includes sturgeon, whitefish, grayling, etc.

Baikal is famous for its beauty, which attracts tourists from all over the country and from abroad to its shores, this is one of the most popular areas in Russia for eco-tourism (animal watching, educational trails), as well as sports (mountain and water trips) and trade tourism (gathering gifts from the taiga, hunting and fishing). There are many picturesque bays, there are excellent beaches, the coast is decorated with bizarre cliffs and rocky outcrops.
Water excursions are carried out on the lake, and along the southwestern shore you can ride along the old Circum-Baikal Railway(1905), with a mass of tunnels and bridges, which is a real monument of engineering art.
On the shores of Lake Baikal (which was discovered by Russian pioneers in the middle of the 17th century), traces of settlements from the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages, ancient burials were found. There are many interesting historical and cultural monuments here. Currently, around the entire Baikal is being designed big Baikal trail.

The area of Lake Baikal stands out for its high biodiversity. Thus, the local flora is represented by more than 800 species of higher plants, including a number of endemic and rare forms. Among about 50 species of mammals that live in the coastal zone in swamps, in the steppes and forest-steppes, in the foothill and mountain forests, as well as in the middle of high mountain char and tundra, the most typical are such as wild reindeer, deer, elk, musk deer, wild boar , brown bear, wolf, fox, sable, ermine, weasel, squirrel, chipmunk, tarbagan marmot, otter and muskrat. Among the birds (about 250 species in total) the rarest listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation are: peregrine falcon, osprey, golden eagle, black crane and white-tailed eagle (the last two are also in the International Red Book).

State Natural biosphere reserve"Barguzinsky"-the first state reserve Russia - established in 1916 in order to preserve the Barguzin sable from complete destruction, restore its range and abundance on the northeastern coast of Lake Baikal, and also to promote the restoration of the sable population in the country.
The reserve is located on the territory of the Republic of Buryatia and has an area of 374.3 thousand hectares, including 15.0 thousand hectares in the water area of Lake Baikal and 111.2 thousand hectares is occupied by a biosphere test site.
In 1986, the Barguzinsky Reserve was included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
The reserve occupies the northeastern coast of Lake Baikal and the western slopes of the Barguzinsky Range. The maximum heights of the ridge within the reserve are up to 2668.2 m, the minimum ones are from 455.9 m. In the valleys of the Ezovka, Bolshaya, Talamush and Davsha rivers there are thermal springs with water temperatures in some of them above 70 ° C.
The reserve is located in several high-altitude zones. The coast of Lake Baikal is bordered by larch forests, followed by mountain-taiga forests. The upper border of the forest is formed by birch, fir and spruce forests with powerful developed tall grass and shrub thickets. About 32% of the territory of the reserve is occupied by the high-altitude bald belt.
The flora contains 876 species of higher vascular plants, 1241 species of algae, 132 species of fungi, 212 species of lichens and 147 species of bryophytes. Their endemic species include trihedral astragalus, Turchaninov's meadow, Smirnov's bluegrass, among the relict species - lanceolate grapevine, three-flowered bedstraw, common grasswort. 5 species of flowering plants and 3 species of lichens are included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, 31 species of flowering plants and 6 species of lichens are included in the Red Book of the Republic of Buryatia.
The fauna of the reserve is typically taiga, but with some features caused by the close proximity of Lake Baikal. Five species of mammals - Barguzin sable, reindeer, red deer, brown bear, black-capped marmot - are among the most valuable representatives of the fauna.
The main route of communication in the reserve, given the inaccessibility of the territory, is water, along Lake Baikal, along which winter period it is possible to travel on the ice road by car.
Baikal State Natural Biosphere Reserve organized in 1969 on south coast Lake Baikal, in the region of the Khamar-Daban ridge.
The purpose of creating the reserve is to protect in its natural form the unique landscapes of the Southern Baikal region.
The reserve is located on the territory of the Republic of Buryatia and has an area of 165.7 thousand hectares. The state natural reserve "Kabansky" was transferred to the reserve.
In 1986, the Baikal Reserve was given the status of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The territory of the reserve "Kabansky" in accordance with the Ramsar Convention is classified as a wetland of international importance as a habitat for waterfowl.
The relief of the territory was formed about 1 million years ago. The seismicity of the axial part of the Khamar-Daban ridge is estimated at 7 points. The length of the northern slope of the ridge facing Baikal reaches 35 km with a height difference of 1,860 m, the southern slope is 12-15 km with a height difference of up to 1,550 m. The ridge is characterized by alpine-type landscapes with sharp mountain peaks and steep slopes.
The flora of the reserve is typical for the mountains of Southern Siberia and includes more than 800 species of higher vascular plants, 308 species of mosses, 651 species of lichens (9 species of lichens are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation). More than 60% of the territory of the reserve is occupied by forests. Starting from an altitude of 1800 m above sea level, the alpine belt begins, represented by low-grass meadows, mountain tundra, and scrub wastelands.
The fauna of the reserve is typical for the mountains of Southern Siberia. The mammalian fauna is represented by 49 species (sable, deer, elk, Siberian roe deer, musk deer, etc.), the ichthyofauna - 17 species (grayling, lenok, taimen).
The Baikal Reserve has a number of routes for scientific and ecological tourism.

State natural reserve "Kabansky" It was founded in 1974, has an area of 18.0 thousand hectares and is located in the delta of the Selenga River.
On the territory of the reserve, mallard, gray duck, red-headed pochard, crested duck nest in large numbers; colonies of gulls, river terns, gray herons settle. During the migration period, they find here favorable conditions for rest and feeding thousands of ducks, waders, gulls and other birds.
Of the birds that live in the reserve, the following are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation: the white-tailed eagle, the Siberian Crane, the black stork, the Sukhonos, the golden eagle, the gyrfalcon, the peregrine falcon, the saker falcon, etc.

State nature reserve"Baikal-Lensky" located in the Irkutsk region and covers an area of 659.9 thousand hectares. The reserve was established in 1986 in order to preserve mountain-taiga landscapes and a number of natural phenomena.
The reserve is located on the northwestern shore of Lake Baikal, in the region of the Baikal Range. Altitude fluctuations are quite significant - from 455 m (the level of Lake Baikal) to 2 thousand m or more.
By the nature of the relief, the territory of the reserve belongs to the Sayano-Baikal mountain-folded region; there are also glacial landforms.
The hydrographic network of the reserve is exceptionally rich and varied. The Lena River originates here, the length of which within the reserve is about 250 km.
Vegetation is represented by seven types: forest, steppe, shrub, tundra, meadow, swamp and water. The dominant type of vegetation is forest. The forest area is 86.4%, dominated by larch, pine, and cedar. There are areas of relic Dahurian steppes.
922 species of vascular plants, 133 species of mushrooms, 312 species of lichens, 179 species of mosses are represented in the reserve. Of the vascular plants, 54 species are endemic to the Baikal region and southern Siberia.
Protected species include Rhodiola rosea, Altai onion, dwarf lily, Turchaninov's pike, etc.
Animal world the reserve is diverse: taiga species - brown bear, squirrel, sable, elk, chipmunk, nutcracker, capercaillie, hazel grouse; steppe species - long-tailed ground squirrel, Daurian jackdaw, shelduck, etc.; southern taiga species - Siberian roe deer, red deer; wetland species - gray crane, black stork.

national park"Pribaikalsky" located within the Slyudyansky, Irkutsk and Olkhonsky districts of the Irkutsk region. Founded in 1986, it consists of several plots with a total area of 417.3 thousand hectares.
There are 3 key ornithological areas of international importance on the territory of the park: "Island of Olkhon and Priolkhonye" with an area of 220 thousand hectares; "South-Baikal migration corridor of falconiformes" with an area of 7.5 thousand hectares; "The source and upper reaches of the Angara River" with an area of 2.5 thousand hectares.
The relief of the park is characterized by extreme dissection with small elevation differences. The hydrographic network is very well developed: about 150 different watercourses (rivers, rivers, streams, etc.) flow here, 60 of which flow directly into Baikal. The park has about 80 lakes of various origins.
On the territory of the park, 5 species of lycopsform plants, 37 species of ferns, 13 species of gymnosperms and 1277 species of angiosperms have been noted. 16 species of plants are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation (Altai onion, calypso bulbous, Olkhonsky astragalus, etc.).

Of the representatives of the animal world, 25 species of fish, 4 species of amphibians, 5 species of reptiles, 320 species of birds (including 200 nesting species), 63 species of mammals live here. The southwestern coast of Lake Baikal is a “route” for the massive autumn migration of birds of prey (up to 2,000 per day).
One of the main activities of the Pribaikalsky National Park is the development of natural, historical and cultural tourism. There are a lot in the park interesting places: majestic cliffs, rocks, picturesque bays and coves, caves; about 1 thousand archaeological sites: ancient settlements, rock paintings, stone "tent" graves, etc.
Zabaikalsky National Park located on the territory of the Barguzinsky district of the Republic of Buryatia. The park was founded in 1986 and has an area of 268.1 thousand hectares, including the water area of Lake Baikal - 37.0 thousand hectares.
Two ridges stretch across the territory of the park: Barguzinsky (the highest point is 2376 m above sea level) and Sredinny (the highest point is 1877 m above sea level).
The largest inland lakes of the park are Arangatui and Maly Arangatui, as well as Lake Bormashovoe, famous for its mineral waters. The most famous outlets of thermal waters are the Zmeiny, Nechaevsky, Kulinoe springs.
In the structure of the vegetation cover, the vertical zonality characteristic of the mountains of Transbaikalia is clearly traced. The forests are dominated by coniferous species (pine, elfin cedar, cedar, larch, fir).
The flora of vascular plants includes more than 700 species, among which there are many endemic, rare and relict ones.
The fauna of mammals includes about 50 species, the fauna of birds - about 250 species, the fauna of reptiles - 6 species and amphibians - 3 species. The Ushkany Islands host the largest population of seals in Baikal. to the most valuable and rare species includes the Siberian sturgeon.
One of the main activities of the park is the development of nature tourism. Large recreational objects are marked here: Chivyrkuisky and Barguzinsky bays, Svyatoy Nos peninsula, Barguzinsky ridge and Chivyrkuisky isthmus. The wetland ecosystems of the Chivyrkui Isthmus are one of the largest bird nesting sites on Lake Baikal. The thermal springs of Zmeeva Bay are famous for their healing properties.
To object World Heritage Site "Lake Baikal" also includes: a small part of the Tunkinsky National Park and the Frolikhinsky State Nature Reserve.

Tunkinsky National Park is located on the territory of the Tunkinsky district of the Republic of Buryatia and covers an area of 1183.7 thousand hectares. The park was created in 1991.
Tunkinsky Goltsy, the Khamar-Daban ridge and a chain of intermountain basins stand out within the park. The mineral waters of the Tunkinskaya depression have a wide range of healing properties.
The dominant type of vegetation in the park is taiga. More than 40 species are distributed here. rare plants, many of which are relics and endemics.
More than 300 species of vertebrates are represented in the national park. There are more than 230 species of birds, including 200 nesting species. AT last years attempts are being made to restore the population of the two-humped camel in the Tunkinskaya valley, which was common here in former times.
One of the main activities of the Tukinsky National Park is the development of natural, historical, cultural and health tourism.

G State natural reserve "Frolikhinsky" located on the territory of the Severobaikalsky district of the Republic of Buryatia. It was formed in 1986 in order to preserve the number and reproduction of wild animals, their habitats, as well as to protect rare and endangered species and protect natural monuments, such as the Singing Sands of Turali, Papakha Rock, Lake Frolikha, Ayaya Bay, Cape Khaman -Kit, Frolikhinsky source, etc.
The area of the reserve is 109.2 thousand hectares. Most of the territory is occupied by coniferous taiga forests, the main forest-forming species of which are Siberian pine, Dahurian larch, spruce, fir, and dwarf pine. The hunting fauna of the reserve includes the following species: elk, red deer, musk deer, wild reindeer, bear, lynx, wolverine, sable, squirrel, red fox, capercaillie, hazel grouse.