Bielaviežškaja Pušča (191)
Belarus, Europe

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2005

National site name: Bielaviežškaja Pušča

Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.6500, Longitude: 23.9000

System: freshwater, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 145 to 202

Area of KBA (km²): 850.06194

Protected area coverage (%): 86.04

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Belovezhskaia Pushcha is Europe's last largest complex of primeval forests, typical of the forests that once covered middle Europe. Belovezhskaia Pushcha retains virgin forests with its typical flora and fauna. Ancient forests dominate by area, which is untypical for Belarusian woods. The average age of the trees is 90 years old, but trees that are 200-250 years old are very common.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)

Additional biodiversity: A total of 253 bird species have been recorded. Almost all 75 bird species listed in the National Red Data Book occur. The site hosts the following globally-threatened species: White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla, Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga, and Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola. Non-bird biodiversity: The fauna of the Park includes 59 mammal, 28 fish, 11 amphibian and 7 reptile species. European Bison Bison bonasus is the pride and beauty of the IBA. At present, there are about 300 individual bisons in the Park. The high soil diversity means that the Park has an outstanding variety of plants. The vascular plant species includes about 900 species, with more than 40 of those listed in the National Red Data Book. Tree species include Silver Fir Abies alba, Durmast Oak Quercus petraea, Wych Elm Ulmus glabra, and Marn Elm Ulmus laevis. The rare shrub species listed in the National Red Data Book include Common Ivy Hedera helix, German Broom Genista germanica, and Whortleberry Willow Salix myrtilloides.

Habitats

Summary of habitats in KBA: Forests cover 92% of the IBA, with coniferous trees dominating. The site, however, contains the full assemblage of forest types found in this geographic region. The primeval character of the woods is emphasized by the presence of ash, lime, maple and alder stands. Meadows occupy an insignificant part of the Park and are located mostly in the small river floodplains. Several small rivers flow through the Park, many of which originate here. The economic uses within the Park are limited forestry, ecotourism, hunting.

Land use: forestry (10%) | nature conservation and research (80%) | tourism/recreation (10%)

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest	92
Grassland	1
Wetlands(Inland)	7

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Drainage of part of the Park and the surrounding areas was carried out in 1950-60s. As a result, the groundwater table has dropped significantly. Destruction of the undergrowth by an over-abundance of hoofed animals, whose proliferation is attributed to artificial feeding and over-hunting of large predators, such as Wolves. Forestry Economic activities have intensified since the re-organization of the zapovednik into a National Park. This is one of the most serious threats to the ecosystems. Chemical air pollution Belovezhskaia Pushcha is a natural barrier to pollutants migrating in the atmosphere. Precipitation of heavy metals on the IBA's forests threatens these natural habitats. Commercial collection of mushrooms, berries and medicinal plants undermines the feeding base of many animals and contributes to disturbance.

Additional information