Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve (Vitebsk region): reviews of holidaymakers

With the onset of summer, the issue related to travel and travel becomes more urgent. Where should I go this year? Than to occupy itself and the relatives?

Having weighed all the pros and cons, you finally come to the conclusion that, perhaps, it is not worth spending too much money on a expensive foreign tour, because in your home country there are so many interesting and unexplored things.

For example, why not visit the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve? It is guaranteed that most of your friends, friends and acquaintances have not even heard of the existence of such a place.

And in vain ... It is here, not particularly away from home, you can get not only a lot of positive emotions, but also valuable knowledge about the features of the native land.

In this article, we will talk not only about the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve itself. The reader will get acquainted with his history, goals and tasks, and, of course, learn more about the flora and fauna of the sanctuary.

Section 1. General description of the object

The Berezinsky Reserve in Belarus was founded on January 30, 1925. To date, its territory covers the Borisov district of the Minsk region, as well as Lepel, Dokshitsy districts of Vitebsk.

The area of this place is quite impressive and is 851.5 km ² . The nature park is known all over the world as a standard of natural, untouched nature and partly it makes rest in Belarus unforgettable.

It should be noted that this natural complex can be considered the most unique, and 60% of its area is made up of various wetlands.

Also, the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve (Vitebsk region) is known for its various lakes of various origins and sizes. The value of this natural corner lies in the diversity of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, as well as in a high degree of their natural preservation.

Section 2. Climatic features

As in the whole country, the weather conditions here are moderate and, it can be said, even transitional, i.e., the climate is gradually changing from sea to continental.

It is characterized by warm, humid summers and moderately cold winters with an unstable snow cover.

On average, the amount of precipitation for the year is 676.6 mm. Throughout the year, the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve maintains a high relative humidity with a fluctuation from 80 to 89%.

For the middle-end of November there is already a permanent snow cover. But in some years it is still characterized by low power and impermanence, and sometimes it can be absent half or even all winter.

Section 3. How did such a unique place appear?

Approximately 10-20 thousand years ago, when the last Valdai glacier began to melt, there was a vast glacial lake. It stretches for many tens of kilometers. Lakes Olshitsa, Smoothly are just the remains of this ancient pond.

In addition to large reservoirs, the local region is also always famous for its dense forests and a variety of animals.

During many researches it was found out that once the Berezinsky reserve was inhabited not only by nowadays known bears, lynxes, wolves, foxes, badgers, martens, beavers, otters, moose, wild boars, roe deer, but also bison, sables, wild horses.

Especially popular was always the hunting of beavers. During the excavation of human settlements, many of their bones were found here. Beaver was considered a very valuable animal. Clothing was made from the skin, and meat was used for food. Therefore, people who were engaged in catching these animals had great privileges (for example, they were released from military service).

Section 4. Milestones of history

The Berezinsky Reserve was created to some extent thanks to the aforementioned beavers. They became an important find of the expedition, which in 1924 was organized by the People's Commissariat of Agriculture of the BSSR, since previously these animals were considered completely destroyed.

As a result of the expedition on January 30, 1925, the Council of People's Commissars of the BSSR issued a resolution on the organization of a reserve on the Berezina River, which completely stops the cutting of the forest.

Before the beginning of the war in the reserve, a lot of research of flora and fauna was conducted, experienced farms were created where beavers and elks were kept in captivity, a museum of nature was opened. However, with the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War, so actively unfolding works, unfortunately, were interrupted for a long time.

Section 5. Modern Goals and Objectives

Berezinsky Reserve (the feedback of numerous visitors to this is another confirmation) has a very noble goal, namely, the preservation of the natural state of natural complexes and objects.

Also here all the necessary conditions for the natural flow of natural processes are created.

In general, we can say that the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve performs the following tasks:

• Provision of conditions for the preservation of the natural state of natural complexes and objects that are located on the territory of the reserve;
• Organization of environmental protection activities;
• Carrying out of research works;
• Monitoring of the environment;
• Active work on environmental education and advocacy for the protection of the environment.

Section 6. Plant world

It should be noted that "Berezinsky Reserve" is a photo that always becomes a worthy decoration of a family album. Why? The fact is that on its territory the dominant type of vegetation are forests with an area of 690 km ² . And shooting in this kind of environment is always pleasant.

More than half of the forests of the Berezinsky Reserve belong to the south-taiga pine-spruce forests. Preserved areas of broadleaf, which today are massively represented by oak, ash and spruce.

They are unique for the northern part of Belarus. Especially pristine untouched deciduous forests, located in the lowland marshes.

Here is the only large array of black alder forests, which until then survived in Europe.

The area of the marshes is 510 km ² . Their massifs, as well as individual parts of this reserve, together with rivers, lakes and forest streams, create a single water-marsh system.

The reserve is characterized by lowland, upper and transitional swamps that combine the characteristics of the first two types. Lowland are the most common species for the whole territory of the reserve. Mounted bogs make up 10.3% of the total area.

By the way, from a purely scientific point of view, they are divided into two categories: treeless and pine forest.

Meadows account for more than 10% of the entire territory of the reserve.

Section 7. Animal Kingdom

The reserve is an ideal habitat for animals that were recently widespread in Europe, and now most of them either disappeared or became extremely rare.

Particular pride of the reserve are birds. To date, the list of representatives of the fauna of the Berezinsky Reserve contains 230 different bird species, among which 179 are nesting, 31 are migratory, 14 are migratory, and 6 are winter.

Also in the reserve there are 2 species of snakes, 3 - lizards, 2 - tailed, 9 species of tailless amphibians.

There are 34 species of fish on its territory. Among them, the most numerous and common are pike, rudd, gudgeon, bream, perch, ruff.

The greatest species diversity is typical for the Berezina River at the southern borders of the reserve and Lake Palik. Currently, 3662 species are on the list of invertebrates.

Section 8. What museums can be found on the territory?

In general, we note that museums play a very important role in environmental education. Their main task is to promote the principles of nature protection. Expositions comprehensively reveal the natural features of specific regions, widely sanctify the work of reserves.

The Museum of Nature of the Berezinsky Reserve, which has been operating for more than 50 years, is represented by about 300 species of animals. It consists of three halls, the total area of which is 400 m ² .

In these premises there are expositions devoted to different groups of flora and fauna. The museum also has a separate hall, which is fully dedicated to the birds of the reserve.

In addition, visitors have the opportunity to have a look at the main representatives of the fauna of the reserve: roe deer, deer, wild boar, bison, bear, wolf, raccoon dog.

Section 9. Traveler Reviews

Recreational, ecological and hunting tourism is developing rapidly in the Berezinsky Reserve. Travelers are offered various programs of stay on the territory of the massif, and they gladly accept them.

According to the majority, here you can relax not only an adult company. The Berezinsky Reserve is a favorite place for children. Why? The answer arises by itself: well, where else can you run a lot on the grass, scream and see unusual birds and living animals?

In general, we can confidently say that this reserve is considered to be a kind of natural laboratory, in which observations of the course of natural processes and phenomena in a pristine environment are conducted. That is why companies of young scientists and simply nature lovers come here every year. Only a few days' stay can make a lot of amazing discoveries!

Experienced visitors recommend to get acquainted with the unique natural objects of the reserve with the help of original ecological routes. They are provided for the movement of organized groups, accompanied by a qualified guide.

Note that in accordance with the method and length of movement there are pedestrian, bicycle and water routes. Enthusiastic reviews can be heard about each of them - it all depends on the goals, taste and, perhaps, the physical form of the visitor.

In general, if you believe experienced, the excursion to the reserve always turns into a stunning walk in the fresh air. However, one should take into account the fact that the weather here is extremely changeable, which means that you need to take an umbrella or a cape from the rain.