Grodno land: reserved world: reserves of local importance

30.04.2021 39688 Админ

Biological reserves of local importance

Biological reserve «Grodnenskaya Svisloch». Paradise for «Red data Book species»

A biological reserve of local importance «Svisloch» has exsisted on the territory of the Berestovitsa district since 2003. The reserve was created on the territory of a floodplain low¬lying bog “Graino” and adjacent lands to preserve the nesting places of the globally endangered species of birds – the aquatic warbler. In 2017, this reserve was transformed into “Grodnenskaya Svisloch” reserve by the decision of Grodno and Berestovitsa regional executive committees, As a result, the specially protected area has increased twice to 4881 hectares.

The reserve serves to preserve in the natural state the wetland complex of the Svisloch River valley, its branch Vereteyka, part of the channel reservoir of the Grodno hydroelectric power station on the Neman River, as well as the most valuable forest areas adjacent to them, large especially valuable natural and plant complexes, rare species of animals and birds.

A single floodplain wetland complex of the biological reserve, which has been taken under protection, is a comfortable place for many. More than 30 species of birds here are in the Red Data Book: aquatic warbler, corncrake, black¬tailed godwit and others. Some birds nest in the reserve, for others it is a transfer point in their winter and autumn migration: they regain strength, rest and fly on. Therefore, “Grodnenskaya Svisloch” has the international status “Territory Important for birds”.

Biological reserve «Grafskaya Pushcha». Relict oak forests, linden forests

The biological reserve «Grafskaya Pushcha» was created in December 2007 by the decision of Novogrudok and Korelichi regional executive committees to preserve valuable forests as well as rare and endangered plant and animal species in their natural state. It is the largest reserve of local importance, having the area of 9,465 hectares.

In the past, this territory was the property of the Radziwills, the place of the count’s hunting. Today it is a specially protected area with a rich flora and fauna. Forests in the reserve cover more than 80 percent of the area. They are mainly pine and spruce forests. There is linden forest formation here, which is extremely rare for Belarus. Huge oaks aged 250¬300 years please the eyes. One of the largest colonies of gray herons in Grodno region was noted in the reserve. There are 9 plant species and 11 animal species, which are subject to protection according to the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus.

Biological reserve «Voronovsky». Forests in all their diversity and richness

Biological reserve “Voronovsky” with an area of more than five thousand hectares was formed in 1986 to preserve the animal world and create favorable conditions for the reproduction of hunting fauna: elk, wild boar, roe deer, mallard, gray partridge and other animals. Hunting in the reserve was prohibited. After conducting scientific research last year, a proposal was made to maintain the status of this territory as a specially protected area, but to reduce the area. The boundaries were set taking into account the maximum possible conservation of biological diversity, rare plant species, and natural landscape.

Natural forests occupy almost the entire territory of the reserve. There are three particularly valuable areas of broadleaf forest with spruce and hornbeam. Some protected plant species grow here, among them are northern firmoss, martagon lily, Lathyrus laevigatus, one¬flowered wintergreen, mountain arnica and Thesium ebracteatum. In the local forests, the Eurasian pygmy owl nests. It is included in the Red Data Book.

Biological reserve “Urochishche Krasnoye”. A colorful world on the water

Biological reserve “Urochishche Krasnoye” covers an area of about 350 hectares in the western part of Ivye District, south off the village of Lukashino. It is situated in the valley of the Neman River, its function is to preserve the biodiversity of wetland and forest ecosystems here.

The territory of the reserve is a waterlogged worked¬out peat deposit. The high groundwater level in the former peatlands is supported by a system of locks and dams. More than 380 species of wild plants, 60 species of birds, hundreds of species of animals comprise the natural diversity of the reserve. Beavers have chosen the canals and areas with open water. Badger settlements are quite frequent. It is a favorable place for the habitation of almost all amphibian species of the fauna of Belarus. The most numerous species are the green frog species.

Biological reserve «Vselyubsky». Virgin forest, an old park

Biological reserve of local importance «Vselyubsky» in Novogrudok district was created in 1997 on 3010 hectares to preserve and restore the number of game animals. A primordial coniferous, broad-leaf and mixed¬broad¬leaf forest on the territory of the reserve is rich in great diversity of plant and animal species.

A unique place is the picturesque Vselyubsky Park, founded in the 18th century by O’Rourke family, the owners of Vselyub. This nature monument of republican significance combines features of French and English landscape design in the agro¬town Vselyub. The attention of local historians is also attracted by the boulder “Big Stone” Plissky, which is declared a geological natural monument of republican significance and is located in one of the quarters of the Vselyubsky forestry, in “Gribov forest” tract.

Biological reserve “Lake Byk“. Mysterious mirror in a green frame

A reserve «Lake Byk» was established in Ostrovets district on the Lithuanian border. After a recent survey carried out by scientists of Belarusian State University its status as a reserve was confirmed and its area increased up to 119.96 hectares.

The heart of the reserve is Lake “Byk”, one of the most mysterious lakes in Belarus. Its origin is associated with the fall of powerful streams of melted glacial waters into ice cracks. The lake area is 14.7 hectares, and the depths is above 8 meters. The name of the lake is associated with a legend, which says that here God’s punished the owner of the bull, who was plowing the ground here on the feast of the Resurrection of Christ. The lake appeared at the place where the ground opened up under the man. The location of the swamp sawgrass is the fourth reliably known in the republic and the only one in Grodno region.

Biological reserve “Mitskevichsky”. Valuable forest on the coast of Viliya

Biological reserve «Mitskevichsky» is located in the eastern part of Smorgon district, one kilometer from the district center. It occupies more than 4 thousand hectares on the left bank of the Viliya River. The reserve has a conservation value mainly as one of the few landscape complexes of aeolian landforms formed in the postglacial period. Old pine forests on the tops and slopes of dune complexes, birch forests and sixty-year-old black alder fern forests stand out in the diversity of the plant world.

Small areas of sphagnum raised bogs and fens on the territory of the serve as sources of a number of forest streams and maintain the stability of the hydrological regime of this specially protected natural area. Meadows situated along the floodplain of the Viliya River serve as reserves of many thermophilic plant species. The animal world is also diverse here, but hunting is prohibited. However, mushroom pickers, amateur fishermen, tourists and everyone who loves communication with nature can fully enjoy its generosity and pristine beauty.

Biological reserve «Cherlena». The wealth of the Neman bank

Biological reserve «Cherlena» is located in the western part of Mosty district to the north-east of the agricultural town of Lunno. Its territory, which has an area of more than five hundred hectares, serves to preserve the unique landscape complex of the Neman Valley, populations of rare and endangered species of plants and animals. It is also a part of the ecological corridor of international importance CE5 «Neman».

The reserve is completely located within the basin of the Neman and plays an important role in maintaining its hydrological regime in the middle current. There are 579 species of wild plants, of which 13 are included in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus. You can admire the century¬old oak groves, spruce and hornbeam forests. Forest diversity, the pristine nature promote the richness of the animal world. Blueberries areas are great here! As part of an ecological corridor of European importance, the reserve is attractive for bird watchers.

Biological reserve «Ordashinsky». Part of the glacier ridge and favorite place of the common butterwort

Biological reserve “Ordashinsky” located in the south¬west of Smorgon district covers an area of 6175.22 hectares. This is the second largest local nature reserve in Grodno region. It is of significant nature conservation value, as one of the few landscape complexes in the region of terminal moraine hills and outwash plain of the Oshmyany glacial ridge, cut by fast flowing rivers. The bushy meadows are favorite habitats for many thermophilic plant species and protected animal species. On the bank of the reclamation canal, the common butterwort is growing, which has the highest significance of national nature conservation. In the meadows in the floodplains of rivers and streams there is a hawksbeard, which is also classified as a protected species due to the high risk of extinction. In total, there are 6 plant species listed in the Red Book of the Republic in the reserve. Forests here vary from heather pine forests to floodplain black alder forests.

Landscape reserve «Alexandriyskie pogorki». Hills and ridges from the time of glaciation

The local nature reserve «Alexandriyskie Pogorki» is located in the eastern part of the Voronovo district, near the border with Lithuania. This is a unique natural landscape complex that covers over a thousand hectares. Terminal moraine hills and ridges were formed during the last Sozh glaciation about 220¬130 thousand years ago. The reserve is especially interesting for ecological educational tourism being an example of the most typical landscape of the northwestern part of the Oshmyany Upland.

The diversity of plants and animals that has developed here is also under special protection. In the forest with a variegated species composition, dense spruce forests with rich herbaceous vegetation are of the greatest conservation value. Two species of wild plants of the Republic of Belarus grow in the Alexandriyskie pogorki reserve: The martagon lily and Lathyrus laevigatus included in the Red Data Book grow here.

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Anna Lenskaya