UNESCO/Toson-Khulstai Biosphere Reserve
Nerusso-Desnianskoe-Polesie
General information
The biosphere reserve is located in the western part of Russia (on the border with Ukraine), in the basin of the Dnieper River, within the Polesie province mixed forest zone. The territory of the biosphere reserve represents part of the low-lying, sparsely populated forested landscapes found on the left bank of the Desna River (a tributary of the Dnieper River) in the Bryansk Region. Forests make up the majority of the vegetation cover, and meadows, bogs, and wetlands are widespread. Big carnivores such as brown bear, lynx and wolf have viable populations here and ungulates such as elk, red deer, wild boar and roe deer are numerous.
Detailed information
Key data
Year of nomination
2001
Country
Russian Federation
Total population
1020
Area
Surface
133,994.00 ha
Location
Latitiude: 52.5 - Longitude: 34
Contact
Ecological Characteristics
The territory of the biosphere reserve has very high biological diversity. The flora of the biosphere reserve includes around 900 species of higher plants, among which 10 species are included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation and 84 species are included in the Red Book of the Bryansk Region.
The fauna of the biosphere reserve includes 48 species of mammals, 219 birds, 6 kinds of reptiles, and 11 amphibians, of which 15 animals are included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, and 56 species are included in the Red Book of the Bryansk Region.
Large predators preserved in the biosphere reserve include brown bear, lynx, and wolf. Common species include moose, red deer, wild boar, roe deer, and beaver. In forest areas, capercaillie, black grouse, and hazel grouse are found. In spring, large numbers (more than 90,000) of migrating waterfowl concentrate (stopover) in wetlands of the biosphere reserve including geese, ducks, waders, and others.
Socio-Economics Characteristics
The territory of the biosphere reserve is sparsely populated, with an average density of 12-14 people per square kilometer. The main economic activity of the local population is forestry and agriculture.