Site: Mid-Pripyat State Landscape Zakaznik

Designation date: 10-08-2001

Coordinates: 52°09'N 027°00'E

Elevation: 120 m - 150 m

Area: 90,447 ha

Location: The site consists of the 120 km section of the Pripyat River floodplain which is located between the mouth of the Yaselda River and the mouth of the Stviga River. It is located in four districts of the Brest Region: Pinsk, Stolin, Luninets and Zhitkovichi.

Criteria: 1 ,2 ,5 ,6 ,8

Importance: The site is a good example of a natural floodplain in the biogeographical region of Polesye. It contains a number of habitats, which have mostly disappeared in other parts of Europe, such as lowland fen sedge and reed mires, large regularly flooded meadows and floodplain oak forests. It plays a substantial hydrological and biological role in the natural functioning of the Pripyat River basin. The site harbours the vulnerable amphibian Hyla arborea and the likewise vulnerable tortoise Emys orbicularis. The site supports constant and large populations of the globally threatened bird species Acrocephalus paludicola, and the vulnerable species Aquila clanga, Crex crex and Gallinago media. Some 14 bird species' survival in Belarus completely depends on the condition of the Pripyat floodplain. It is a key Belarusian waterbird nesting and migration staging site. It regularly supports 20,000 and more waterbirds. More than 1% of the European populations of the following waterbird species breed here: Botaurus stellaris, Ciconia nigra, Anas querquedula (over 10,000 pairs), Anas strepera (700 pairs), Chlidonias niger (500-1,000 pairs) and Chlidonias leucopterus (3,000-7,000 pairs). The site is also an important source of food for fishes, and a major fish spawning area.

Wetland Types: 9 ,4 ,2 ,Xf ,W ,Ts ,Tp ,P ,O ,M (dominant types shown in bold)

Two landscape structures may be distinguished within the Mid-Pripyat area. The first, lower, type is formed by floodplain landscape complexes with lowland sedge mires and grassy black alder forests with many sedges. More than half of the area is covered by these natural meadows with eutrophic plant communities. The higher areas contain flat-crested landscapes with meso-hydrophilic meadows, oak-forests and sedge mires.

Biological/Ecological notes: Over 700 plant species have been identified in the area so far, and large parts of the area still have not been studied extensively. The flora has largely retained its natural state. The site harbours 11 national Red Data Book plant species, amongst them Saxifraga tridactylites, Viola stagnina and Cardamine parviflora. Some 52 national Red Data Book bird species have been registered in the area, of which 39 breed there. Forest plots have maintained a very good condition. Here the presence of some 57 plant species is of special interest because it relates to either a species most southern occurrence, or to an isolated spot in its distribution. The fauna is very diverse too. At least 36 mammal, 182 bird, 6 reptile, 10 amphibian, and 37 fish species represent terrestrial vertebrates. Occurring mammals are Castor fiber, Lutra lutra, Mustela putorius, Alces alces and Sus scrofa.

Hydrological/Physical notes: The valley of the Pripyat River covers the central part of the Polesye lowland. Its structure reveals three subsequently ascending terraces. The lowest part (containing the site) hosts the largest, relatively undisturbed, natural alluvial area in the whole of Europe. The width of the flooded area varies from 4 to 14 km each year and the highest water levels are reached in spring. Sediments consist of sands, sandy loams and loams. The soils are poor in mobile nutrients, and about 20% have a high acidity. The higher terraces consist mainly of sands with a high acidity and a low humus content. In these areas, the water regime is unstable. The Pripyat River is the main waterway of this large region and it is responsible for the hydrological balance over a large area.

Human Uses: Most of the site is owned by the state. There are 57 legal users of the land, including 35 collective and soviet farms (kolkhozes and sovkhozes). Eight village councils, four forestry districts, two private farms, the Dnieper-Bug Waterway Enterprise and a recreation centre are involved too. The surrounding forests and farmlands are owned primarily by the state. The area is the oldest culturally developed region in Belarus. It has been known since pre-Christian times for its farming, crafts, folklore and spiritual culture. There are many archaeological and historical monuments. Two thirds of the site is effectively unsuitable for modern agriculture. Other areas are used for hay production, pastures, apiculture, forestry and fishing. Of the 37 fish species present, 22 are used commercially. The river is a main transportation route. The local and national population also uses the site for recreation. Some group visits are being organised for (mostly Western European) tourists, mainly for hunting and fishing. There is a high potential for ecotourism in the area. Between 1980 and 1990 extensive scientific research was conducted on hydrology, soils, geology, flora and fauna of the site. The level of research subsequently dropped due to a lack of funding.

Conservation Measures: The site is part of the National Landscape of the same name. By decree, further embankment works were prohibited within the site, and economic activities are regulated. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Projects has proposed projects to restore the water regime (see next section). A site management plan is currently being prepared (2002). Zoning measures are in place. Threats to the ecological situation have been identified and the GEF project "Integrated biodiversity protection and wetland management in the Pripyat river and key adjacent areas" has started.

Adverse Factors: Winter precipitation seems to have been decreasing during the last few decades, so spring floods do not happen as frequently as they did in the past. This is causing changes in the ecosystem. Embankment activities in and around the site have also affected the hydrology of the area. Burning of vegetation also has a negative impact on the upper soil layer and the insect fauna. Too much wood is being cut, and fishing is practised in an unsustainable manner. Poaching takes place during the spawning period. Too much water is being extracted for fisheries and industrial purposes. Pollution in and around the site is caused by thermal power plants, wood-processing factories, pulp mills, food industries, agriculture and sewage disposal.

Site Management: The District Executive Committees of Pinsk, Stolin, Luninets and Zhiktovichi, the State Forest Guar and nature conservation organisations manage the site. No address information available.

External Link:

Based on the 2000 Ramsar Information Sheet. This site entry was slightly revised on 3 December 2002, based on information contained in the 2002 Ramsar National Report.