Introduction to Berezinsky reserve
Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve is a unique and untouched territory. It is the only one in Belarus, and it really justifies its status. For only here, in the area of head waters of the Berezina River an extreme diversity of flora and fauna is to be found. Vast forests, difficult to penetrate mires, an inimitable flood-plain of the Berezina River, which gave its name to the reserve, all create ideal habitats for a multitude of species, which until recently were common throughout Europe, and now either disappeared or became extremely rare. So let’s approach this mystery and learn some more about the unique value of Berezinsky reserve.
Nowadays the beaver is a true master of the Berezina River and its many tributaries. But there were times when this mammal became almost extinct in our country, and only very remote areas of Belarus including head waters of the Berezina River still had small groups of beavers left. It is the need to preserve beaver that became the main reason for creating of the Berezinsky reserve on January 30, 1925. Adopted protection measures yielded positive results and already at the end of 1950s the beaver dispersed all along the Berezina basin. Now this species is common for the whole country, and over 500 animals are found in Berezinsky alone.
Success with the priority task of preserving the beaver contributed to conservation of the whole natural complex of the reserve, which importance has been affirmed at the highest international level. Now only in Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve one can come across five most rare big mammals in Europe, brown bear, wolf, lynx, bison, and elk.
Brown bear is the largest predator in reserve’s forests. Reserve’s territory serves as a nucleus of sorts for the population of bear and density of these animals here is highest in Belarus. About 30 of them inhabit the area and one can easily see traces of their activity and with a bit of luck bears themselves. It is no coincidence that the bear is on the official symbol of the reserve.
Wolf is a rather common animal in the forests of the reserve too. The numbers of this predator is quite stable in the reserve. Each year two or three litters of wolf cubs are born in the most inaccessible places, mainly on bog islands. Wolf packs are extremely mobile and practice long-distance marches. In winter they frequently travel outside of the reserve. In autumn wolves regularly eat cranberries in the bogs.
Lynx is the sole feline representative in the contemporary reserve’s fauna. It is a typical forest dweller keeping in the midst of big old-aged mixed-forest massifs. Lynx builds its shelters under uprooted trees, in big tree holes, amidst wind-fallen trees. Since such sites are quite frequent in the reserve lynxes number at about 20–25 individual animals.
The free-roaming bison herd in the Berezinsky Reserve counts 38 animals. They spend most of their time in difficult to access broad-leafed forests in the Palik lake region. Berezinsky bison are the most feral population. They can feed and protect themselves on their own. They receive human assistance in the form of additional food supplies only during most severe winters.
Elk is the most numerous big ungulate in the reserve’s forests. Traces of their activity are found everywhere, including pine forests, the Berezina flood-plain, and mires. Occasionally it is seen by a curios naturalist as their numbers in the reserve may be as high as 400–450 animals.
The reserve is especially proud about its birds. The list includes more than 230 species. The Red Data Book of Belarus contains 75 species of birds, 58 of those are found in the reserve. Visiting lekking places of grouses in the early spring is unforgettable. Up to 15 capercaillie and 30 black grouse males gather on big leks.
Abundance of food accounts for a high diversity of species and big numbers of predators. Golden eagle, Great Gray Owl, Ural owl, Tengmalm’s owl, Eagle owl, and Hobby are some of them.
Fauna of the reserve is by no means less various. Only higher vascular plants are more than 800 species. Giant trees and tiny mosses, branchy shrubs and miniscule grasses find a home for themselves here. The most rare and disappearing species such as Yellow ladyslipper, Martagon lily, Wild gladiolus, Mountain arnica, Globe flower, Columbine are encountered. If not for adequate protection regime and regard from man we would have lost them as well.
Only due to human efforts setting up strict protection regime for the whole natural complex this beautiful seat of Belarussian nature survived in its virgin state.
Natural forest stretches for many miles incorporating a wealth and variegation of colors, nuances, and forms characteristic for wild nature. Coniferous, pine and spruce, forests form more than a half of reserve’s woods. Pineries with emerald moss cover and plentitude of bilberries, cowberries, and heather are most numerous. Broad-leafed forests are characterized by a wide variety of ground cover, although their area in the reserve is not big, just about 500 hectares.
Without doubt, vast mires of the reserve are its priceless treasure. Occupying more than half of its territory mires to a great extent form the overall appearance of the reserve, its landscape peculiarities, and wildlife profile. They were one of the contributing factors for the reserve to be able to preserve its primeval aspect.
Other factors contributing to the uniqueness of the reserve’s territory include: flood-plain complex of the Berezina River with its winding river-bed, a system of tributaries and flood-plain lakes, huge variety of meadow vegetation, deciduous flood-plain forests, high density and considerable wealth of fauna, and an assortment of rare and disappearing birds.
Even this brief overview of Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve reveals its singularity and unique value in today’s world. The reserve is a reference template for primeval nature in Europe.