Halubickaja Pušča (205)
Belarus, Europe

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2005

National site name: Halubickaja Pušča

Central coordinates: Latitude: 55.0000, Longitude: 28.0500

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 170 to 182

Area of KBA (km²): 162.30796

Protected area coverage (%): 91.89

KBA classification: Regional

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The site is a mosaic of wood, mire, meadow, wetland and forest. It also includes large natural water bodies belonging to the Upper Berezina river catchment.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.

Additional biodiversity: A total of 140 bird species breed on the IBA, of which 24 are listed in the National Red Data Book. Non-bird biodiversity: Rare and disappearing flora includes nine plant species and one mushroom species listed in the National Red Data Book. Brown Bear Ursus arctos, Badger Meles meles, and Lynx Felis linx, also listed in the National Red Data Book, breed.

Habitats

Summary of habitats in KBA: 70% of the site is covered by forests, 18% by wetlands. The core of the zakaznik is a mix of bogs and transition mires located in its northern part. The forest stands are dominated by middle-age pinewoods, as well as spruces, black alders and birches. Occasionally one can encounter fragments of broad-leafed forests. Forestry dominates the economic activities. The site is one of the main peat extraction grounds of the region. Local people visit the IBA to collect berries and mushrooms, hunt and fish.

Land use: forestry (50%) | hunting (10%) | nature conservation and research (20%)

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest	70
Wetlands(Inland)	18

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Pollution The main source of pollution is the town of Dokshitsy, which does not have municipal purification facilities. Drainage Construction of new drainage facilities on areas adjacent to the IBA is not planned for the near future. The existing drainage systems, however, disrupt the hydrological regime and the ecological condition of the site and the region in general. Peat extraction The main factor that is causing the ecological situation in the region to deteriorate is peat extraction, carried out for more than 30 years. There are plans to extend peat extraction to the whole of the IBA. In this case, Golubitskaia Pushcha will lose its value, the hydrological regime of the Berezina river will be disrupted, and the Berezinski Biosphere Reserve will be impacted.

Additional information