Lva Floodplain
Country: Belarus
Area: 2,400.0 ha
National protection status: Nature Reserve
International protection status: Emerald Network* (BY0000049) – Lva Floodplain (17,710.4 ha); IBA (BY030) – L'va floodplain (16,854 ha).
* After denunciation of accession to the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, de jure there are no Emerald Network sites in Belarus.
The following description relates to the former Lva Floodplain Emerald Network site.
The site comprises a large area of deciduous forest in the floodplain of the Lva River, between the Garyn River valley and the Almany Mires. In the 1970-1980s, large swamplands to the north and west of the forest were drained and a large reclamation system was created in the central part of the area, which has had a negative impact on the hydrological condition of the site. The vegetation of the site is mainly represented by deciduous waterlogged forests. There are waterlogged sedge meadows, mixed herb/cereal and sedge meadows and swamps along the Lva riverbed. The Lva River is meandering, occasionally dammed up and lost in vegetation; a part of it develops numerous tributaries. The width of the river bed is 10-25 m. All kinds of wetlands are found in the reserve. The reclaimed areas are mainly used for grazing and haying. Part of the area is cultivated.
>2%
of the national population of the Greater Spotted Eagle are found here
20
habitats included
in Resolution #4 of the Standing Commission to the Bern Convention
588
species of vascular plants identified in the area
Biodiversity and natural values
Biotopes
About 20 habitats included into Resolution No 4 Standing Committee to the Bern Convention have been identified here. These are the following natural habitats: Floating water-soldier rafts (3150), Floating bladderwort colonies (3150), Floating Salvinia natans mats (3150), Free-floating vegetation of eutrophic waterbodies (3150), Rooted submerged vegetation of eutrophic waterbodies (3150), Transition mires and quaking bogs (7140), Beds of large sedges normally without free-standing water (7210), Riverine willow woodland (91Е0), Riverine ash – alder woodland, wet at high but not at low water (91Е0), Sphagnum birch woods (91D0), Oak – ash – hornbeam woodland on eutrophic and mesotrophic soils (9170) etc.
Biodiversity
The site is an important habitat for a globally endangered species – the Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) (more than 2% of the national population); about 1% of the national population of the Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus) and the Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) have also been observed breeding there. Breeding sites of the Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus), the Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina), and the White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) are registered here. Several breeding seasons of the Great Snipe (Gallinago media), the Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa), the White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos), and the Azure Tit (Parus cyanus) were recorded. Six plant species protected in Belarus have been identified there. As many as 588 species of vascular plants have been identified in the area.
The most important impacts and threats
Meadows overgrowing with scrubs
Dead wood removal, sanitation felling
Old drainage systems
Conservation measures
Part of this area has been protected as a nature reserve of local importance, where economic activities are restricted. Part of the habitats of protected species and valuable biotopes are under the protection of land users. In order to improve the condition of the area, it is necessary to make a detailed inventory of the conservation values (species habitat and natural complexes) and to ensure their protection by creating special protection zones/plots. Systematic monitoring of conservation values and a management or conservation plan development are also desirable.
