Pribaikalsky National Park, also called Pribaykalski, is located on the southwest coast of Lake Baikal in southeastern Siberia. The coastal area includes slopes that face the lake in the Primorsky Range to the west and islands like Olkhon Island to the east. The park is about 50 kilometers southeast of the city of Irkutsk in Irkutsk Oblast. It is managed together with three other nature reserves and is an important part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Lake Baikal." The Angara River, which flows out of Lake Baikal toward the Yenisei River basin, passes through the park. The park has very high levels of biodiversity and is home to many species found only in this region.

Topography

The land near the lake and the mountains to the west has many small rivers that are evenly spread out. Each of these rivers is less than 10 km long, except for four that are longer than 25 km. There are 150 rivers and streams in the park, and 60 of them flow into the lake. Most of these streams and lakes are filled by rain and have low salt levels. However, 20 lakes are different because they are in karst and steppe areas. The Angara River is one major river in the area, and another is the Sarma River, which is the source of a wind called "Sarma" that has been recorded at 90 mph. There are few marshes, which are mostly found in low areas near rivers.

Mountains rise to the west of the lake, reaching heights of 1,100 meters in the south and 1,500 meters in the north. Olkhon Island is one of the largest islands in the world that is surrounded by a lake. It is 71 km long, 21 km wide, and covers an area of 730 km². The island has little surface water and only one lake. It is covered with forests but receives little rain, about 10 inches each year on average.

• Shaman Rock, Olkhon Island
• Interior of Olkhon Island (total area 730 km²)
• Listvyanka, at the outlet of the Angara River
• View of Lake Baikal from Listvyanka

Ecoregion and climate

Pribaikalsky is located at the southern central part of the East Siberian taiga (WWF ID #601), a large area of land that covers much of central Siberia. This region has subarctic temperatures, with both deciduous and coniferous trees. It also has continental temperatures, meaning there is a large difference in temperature between seasons, and long, dry winters caused by the Siberian anticyclone. Pribaikalsky receives the most precipitation in the ecoregion, with 24 inches per year, while the average for the entire region ranges from 8 to 24 inches per year.

For aquatic habitats, the park is part of the "Lake Baikal" freshwater ecoregion (WWF ID #601), which includes the area around the lake. The lake’s water has oxygen levels above 70% even at its deepest points, is very clear, and has low calcium levels. The lake is covered in ice from January–February until May each year. Olkhon Island has less surface water compared to other areas.

The climate of Pribaikalsky is moderate continental (Köppen climate classification Dwb), with four distinct seasons, large differences in temperature between winter and summer, long dry winters, and short, warm, and rainy summers. Average temperatures range from -10°F in January to +67°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 24.5 inches.

Plants

The sides of the mountains near Lake Baikal are covered with steppe pine and larch trees. The higher, wetter areas of the mountains have Siberian pine and fir trees, while the valleys usually have spruce, larch, alder, aspen, and birch trees. The area has very high biodiversity and many species found only there. Scientists have found 1,385 types of vascular plants, 339 types of mosses, 676 types of lichens, and 655 types of fungi in the park and nearby areas. Of these, 557 species are found only in this region.

Animals

The park has a high level of animal biodiversity, with over 2,500 species recorded. Many of these species are found only in this area. The park is home to 220 species of land-dwelling vertebrates. Hoofed animals typical of the Siberian taiga include Caspian deer, Siberian roe deer, and moose. Meat-eating animals in the park include sables, Siberian weasels, and ermines. The steppe areas of the park support animals such as steppe polecats, long-tailed sousliks (a type of ground squirrel), meadow larks, and black kites. Birds like rock doves and Siberian swifts live in hard-to-reach rocks and on islands. The largest mammal living in the lake is the Baikal seal.

• Ground squirrel on Olkhon Island
• Mongolian herring gulls on Lake Baikal
• Baikal seal, endemic to Lake Baikal

History

The area of the park has been home to people for a very long time, with many places where people lived long ago found near the lake. Today, about 1,500 Buryats, who are the original people of the region, live on Olkhon Island. Pribiakalsky National Park and Baikal-Lensky Nature Reserve, also called a "Zapovednik," were established in 1986. These areas are managed together by "FGBU Zapovednoe Baikal." Like many Russian National Parks, there are a few small villages inside the park, such as Bolshie Koty, which is located near the lake.

• Listvyanka, a village at the place where the Angara River begins
• A Buryat shaman on Olkhon Island
• Trail Overlook, a spot to view Lake Baikal from a trail

Tourism

Pribaikalsky receives most visitors, both from abroad and within the country, because of Lake Baikal. Over 400,000 people visit each year. A major goal of the park is to balance tourist activities with protecting the natural environment. The park is open all year. Buses and ferries to Listvyanka are available in Irkutsk, and a ferry also goes to Olkhon Island. Four towns within the park have hotels and other facilities. There is a museum located near Listvyanka. The "Great Baikal Trail" runs along the west side of the lake through Pribaikalsky. In winter, the trail is open for skating, skiing, and snowmobiling, allowing visitors to see ice formations.