The area is of great importance for a number of species of flora and fauna. Over 70 local species are included into Resolution No 6 of the Standing Committee to the Bern Convention. The vegetation of the park includes 857 species of vascular plants. 41 plant species of the park are listed in The Red Data Book of Ukraine: the Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium calceolus), the Floating Watermoss (Salvinia natans),the Sand Jurinea (Jurinea cyanoides), the Waterwheel (Aldrovanda vesiculosa),the Shrubby Birch (Betula humilis), and others.

The local wildlife includes 333 vertebrate species: 30 species of fish, 12 — amphibians, 6 — reptiles, 231 species of birds, and 60 species of mammals. It is of key importance as a nesting place for wetland species, as well as a migration corridor.  Nesting here are globally threatened bird species as the Aquatic Warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola), the Great Snipe (Gallinago media), the Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga), and the European Roller (Coracias garrulous). Additionally, the area is of great importance for conservation of wetland bird species, such as the Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus), the Bittern (Botaurus stellaris), the Black Tern (Chlidonias niger), the Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybridus), the White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus), the Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus), the Corncrake (Crex crex), the Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus), the Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica), the Ruff (Philomachus pugnax), the Little Crake (Porzana parva), the Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana), the Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus).

The area is inhabited by such mammal species as the European Beaver (Castor fiber), the Common Otter (Lutra lutra), the Murin des marais (Myotis dasycneme), the European Mink (Mustela lutreola). The territory is an exceptionally important habitat of a number of fish species: the European Weatherfish (Misgurnus fossilis), the Ziege (Pelecus cultratus), the Spined Loach (Cobitis taenia),the European Bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus amarus), аs well as of reptiles and amphibians: the European Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis), the Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus), the Fire-bellied Toad (Bombina bombina). Rare insect species as follow are identified for the area: Dytiscus latissimus, the Scarce Fritillary (Hypodryas maturna), the Large Copper (Lycaena dispar).

The forest habitats and species are threatened by clearcut logging, sanitation felling, deadwood withdrawal, and forest plantation. The wetland ecosystems are degrading due to polder systems existing both in the national park and in its outskirts. The meadow ecosystems are overgrowing with shrubs due to abandoning of hay-making and grazing, as well as threatened by their transformation into arable lands. The entire national park is negatively impacted by household waste pollution, illegal hunting and fishing.

Biodiversity monitoring

Within the framework of its Polissia programme, the Frankfurt Zoological Society works closely with Pripyat–Stokhid National Park to enhance biodiversity monitoring and data-based management. The park has been equipped with essential monitoring tools such as binoculars, spotting scopes, GPS units, smartphones, and additional field equipment that support rangers in their daily work.
To improve the consistency and effectiveness of data collection, the SMART monitoring system has been implemented, allowing patrol and biodiversity information to be recorded and analysed in a unified digital format. Camera traps have been deployed throughout the park to document large mammals and assess their spatial distribution and activity. Complementing this, automated acoustic recorders have been used to capture sounds of birds, bats, and other species, providing valuable information on species presence across different habitats without disturbance.

Operational support

FZS contributes to the smooth operation of Pripyat–Stokhid National Park by covering a range of key running costs. Financial support is provided for fuel, vehicle servicing, and technical repairs, which are particularly important given the park’s large and difficult-to-access wetland areas.
In addition, FZS supplies field and technical equipment that enables park staff to carry out monitoring, patrolling, and management tasks more effectively, helping to strengthen the park’s overall operational capacity.

Overcoming the challenges caused by war

Following the outbreak of the full-scale war, FZS has directed emergency and stabilisation funding to protected areas in Polissia that have faced increased pressure or additional responsibilities. Pripyat–Stokhid National Park has received targeted financial support during periods of acute need, helping to cover indispensable expenses such as fuel, vehicle maintenance and spare parts, building maintenance, rent, communication services, and office materials. This assistance has played an important role in sustaining the park’s core functions and conservation activities in an exceptionally challenging context.