Pushcha Radzivila
Country: Ukraine
Area: 24,265.0 ha
National protection status: National Park
International protection status: Partly within Emerald Network (UA0000339) - Poznan-Blazhove.
The area includes the southern part of one of the largest transboundary forest and peat bog complexes in Europe, the Almany/Olmany Mires, as well as part of the Stvyha River valley in the middle reaches, about 20 kilometres long. The riverbed in the area is completely preserved in its natural state and is strongly meandering, forming numerous oxbows and channels. The river valley is very marshy. Most of the area is represented by forest and wetland ecosystems with numerous dune complexes. The forest vegetation is represented mainly by pine forests, as well as birch and black alder in the bogs. In the floodplain of the Stvyha River there are floodplain oak forests. Some of the pine forests in the dry areas have been disturbed by logging, especially near settlements. The reserve borders the landscape reserve of national importance “Almany Mires” (Belarus) and the Rivnenskyi Strict Nature Reserve, forming a unified system of protected areas.
457
vascular plant species
20
habitats included
in Resolution #4 of the Standing Commission to the Bern Convention
>30
nationally and internationally protected species
Land cover
Forests
Open peatbogs
Forests
Biodiversity and natural values
Biotopes
The area is characterised by the diversity of forest and wetland habitats. More than 20 natural habitats included in Resolution No. 4 of the Standing Committee to the Bern Convention have been identified here.
The area is of exceptional importance for the conservation of the following natural habitats: Free-floating vegetation of eutrophic waters (3150), Transitional mires and quaking bogs (7140), Beds of large sedges usually without free water, Mat grass swards (6230), Dry heaths (4030), Sphagnum birch woods (91D0), Nemoral coniferous swamp woods (91D0). In addition, the following natural habitats have been identified here Floating frogbit rafts (3150), Floating water soldier rafts (3150), Rooted submerged vegetation of eutrophic waters (3150), Permanently dystrophic lakes, ponds and pools (3160), Open non-Mediterranean dry acid and neutral grasslands, including inland dune grasslands (2330), etc.
Biodiversity
The flora of the area includes 457 species of vascular plants, of which at least 12 species are listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.
The flora and fauna of the area includes at least 30 species listed in Resolution 6 of the Standing Committee to the Bern Convention. The site is of particular importance for the conservation of such species as the Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga), the Hazel Grouse (Bonasa bonasia), the Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus), the Woodlark (Lullula arborea), the Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus), the Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus), the Black Grouse (Tetrao tetrix tetrix), the Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), the White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos), the Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus), the Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), the Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis), the Crane (Grus grus), the Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus), the Little Crake (Porzana parva), the Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana), the European Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis), the Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus), the Fire-bellied Toad (Bombina bombina), the Capricorn Beetle (Cerambyx cerdo), the Eastern Pasqueflower (Pulsatilla patens), etc.
The following species are common in the area: the European beaver (Castor fiber), the Lynx (Lynx lynx), the Otter (Lutra lutra), the Wolf (Canis lupus).
The most important impacts and threats
Logging, dead wood removal
Wildfires
Old drainage systems
Illegal mining, including amber
Conservation measures
Zonation is established for the park with various limitations of economic activities, including the strict protection zone (with the total ban thereof) which occupies 32,1% of the area.
Detailed inventory of species habitat and natural habitat is necessary, as well as handing them over under land-users’ protection. Spatial extension of the park is desirable. Systemic monitoring of the conservation values and development of a management or conservation plan for the entire area are necessary.
Our activities in the area
The feasibility study for the creation of the Pushcha Radzivila National Park was prepared and submitted to the MoE of Ukraine as part of the project “Polesia – Wilderness Without Borders” coordinated by FZS.
