Mid Prypiac' (196)
Belarus, Europe

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d

Year of last assessment: 2005

National site name: Mid Prypiac'

Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.2500, Longitude: 27.0000

System: freshwater, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 120 to 150

Area of KBA (km²): 976.60435

Protected area coverage (%): 96.65

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The site is the largest floodplain tract of the main waterway of the Polesie region, i.e. the Pripyat river. The site is located between the mouths of the Yaselda and the Stviga rivers, and has preserved its naturalness well. The IBA is about 120 km long and 4-14 km wide. Natural vegetation covers about 92% of the IBA. The site is very important for its primeval floodplain forests and meadows.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.

Additional biodiversity: Throughout the history of scientific research in the Mid-Pripyat Reserve, 182 bird species, including 155 breeding species, have been recorded. 52 National Red Data Book species are registered in the area, of which 39 breed. The Pripyat floodplain hosts constant and large populations of the following globally threatened species: Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola, Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga, Corncrake Crex crex, Great Snipe Gallinago media, Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, and Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus. For 27 bird species, the area supports more than 1% of their national populations. The floodplain of the Pripyat river has a special international value for several waterfowl species during their spring migration. The overall number of geese that migrate along the Pripyat floodplain is estimated at 50,000 individuals. The figure for Wigeon Anas penelope is estimated to be 30,000. Non-bird biodiversity: Eleven plant species listed in the National Red Data Book can be found. These include very rare, formerly unknown to be occurring in the Polesie region, such as Three-toothed Saxifrage Saxifraga tridactilis, Fen Violet Viola stagnina, and Small-flowered Bittercress Cardamine parviflora. The Pripyat floodplain supports considerable populations of several mammal species. It hosts the largest Belarusian breeding centres of Beaver Castor fiber, Otter Lutra lutra, Water Vole Arvicola terrestris, and Foumart Mustela putorius. The swampy forests and shrub stands are concentration grounds for Elk Alces alces and Wild Boar Sus scrofa. The Mid Pripyat has favourable conditions for various amphibians and reptiles (16 species), including the rare Fresh-water Turtle Emys orbicularis, Running Toad Bufo calamita, and Tree Frog Hyla arborea. The Pripyat is one of the main fishing rivers in Belarus. 37 fish species are known to occur in the river and its floodplain waters.

Habitats

Summary of habitats in KBA: Oak and black alder forests bearing typical Polesian flora and fauna dominate. The floodplain meadows of Mid-Pripyat are a model of typical natural Polesian meadows. The full assemblage of meadows is found on the site, from extremely waterlogged to steppe-type. The site has also retained a large share of a once widely spread European habitat - fen floodplain mires. The largest fens are located in the mouths of the Pripyat's tributaries, the Yaselda and Styr rivres. The IBA is also famous for its picturesque lakes and oxbows, and for the channel of the Pripyat itself. The river valley hosts the largest alluvial landscape in Belarus and Europe. The site is used for hay-making and cattle pasturing (14% of the territory), forestry, shipping, hunting and fishing. One of the traditional economic activities still practiced in the Pripyat floodplain is apiculture.

Land use: agriculture (14%) | fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | forestry (5%) | hunting (5%) | not utilised (60%)

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Grassland	42
Forest	38
Wetlands(Inland)	20

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Disturbances in the hydrological regime Most of the problems pertaining to Mid-Pripyat have been brought about by extensive drainage of wetlands, embankment and canalization of the Pripyat and its tributaries to guard against floods. Narrowing of the floodplain and the elevated water level resulted in the loss of valuable habitats, over-wetting of forests, shrinking of fish spawning grounds, and changes in the flora and fauna. Burning of vegetation has serious consequences for vegetation and animals, especially in years with no floods. Forest cutting without account of their value for biodiversity is a serious threat. Overgrazing Natural vegetation communities on numerous parts of the floodplain suffer from pasture digression resulting from overgrazing. This leads to changes in the vegetation structure of meadows, and the destruction of young forests.Changes in traditional economic activities The cessation of hand hay-making has been widely observed on the site for the last several years. As a result, open floodplain meadows and fens have become rapidly overgrown with willow shrubs.Water pollution. The main pollution sources in the Pripyat catchment are heat-producing, wood-processing, paper-production, light and food enterprises, as well as agriculture (arable farming, cattle breeding) and municipal economic activities. Almost all indicators of water quality have declined considerably.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Biological resource use	Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals	Persecution/control	Ongoing
Biological resource use	Logging & wood harvesting	Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest]	Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Dams & water management/use	Large dams	Only in the future

Additional information