Download/Monitoring Reports/Belarus 2013 AW Monitoring Report Final.Pd F
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
RIS for Site no. 1219, Zvanets, Belarus Ramsar Information Sheet Published on 13 July 2016 Update version, previously published on 21 October 2002 Belarus Zvanets Designation date 21 October 2002 Site number 1219 Coordinates 52°2'51"N 24°52'24"E Area 16 227,40 ha https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1219 Created by RSIS V.1.6 on - 5 October 2016 RIS for Site no. 1219, Zvanets, Belarus Color codes Fields back-shaded in light blue relate to data and information required only for RIS updates. Note that some fields concerning aspects of Part 3, the Ecological Character Description of the RIS (tinted in purple), are not expected to be completed as part of a standard RIS, but are included for completeness so as to provide the requested consistency between the RIS and the format of a ‘full’ Ecological Character Description, as adopted in Resolution X.15 (2008). If a Contracting Party does have information available that is relevant to these fields (for example from a national format Ecological Character Description) it may, if it wishes to, include information in these additional fields. 1 - Summary Summary The described site is the largest European mesotrophic fen mire. It is a particularly good representative example of sedge-Hypnum fen mires typical of the Polesie biogeographic district. Proliferation of carbonate soils defines unique characteristics of the site’s landscapes, flora and fauna. Due to its location on the watershed, the mire's hydrological regime and water quality on the major part of the territory is close to the natural, despite the significant negative impact of adjacent melioration systems. The site supports the largest European population of the globally threatened Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola (2149-4459 singing males – 20-24% of the European population)” , at least 2 pairs of the Spotted Eagle Aquilla clanga. Large groups of other globally threatened and rare for Belarus animal and plant species occur on the site. Moreover, the site is a "hotspot" for conservation of biological diversity of Northeastern Europe biogeographic region. It supports particular elements of biological diversity (species, habitat types) of fen mires. The Zvanets mire contains a significant proportion of species adapted to special environmental condition (mesotrophic open fen mire). 29 plant species were discovered to be rare and disappearing within the district in question (Polesie). Summary, S1 - Page 1 RIS for Site no. 1219, Zvanets, Belarus 2 - Data & location 2.1 - Formal data 2.1.1 - Name and address of the compiler of this RIS Compiler 1 Name Kozulin Alexander Vasilievich, Maximenkov Michail Viktorovich, Beliatskaya Olga Sergeevna Institution/agency The State Research and Production Association Akademicheskaya 27 Postal address Minsk 220072 Belarus E-mail [email protected] Phone +375 172 949069 Fax +375 172 949069 2.1.2 - Period of collection of data and information used to compile the RIS From year 2002 To year 2010 2.1.3 - Name of the Ramsar Site Official name (in English, French or Zvanets Spanish) Unofficial name (optional) Званец 2.1.4 - Changes to the boundaries and area of the Site since its designation or earlier update (Update) A. Changes to Site boundary Yes No (Update) B. Changes to Site area the area has increased (Update) The Site area has been calculated more accurately 2.1.5 - Changes to the ecological character of the Site (Update) 6b i. Has the ecological character of the Ramsar Site (including Yes (actual) applicable Criteria) changed since the previous RIS? (Update) Are the changes Positive Negative Positive & Negative (Update) Negative % 20 (Update) Changes resulting from causes operating within the existing boundaries? (Update) Please describe any changes to the ecological character of the Ramsar Site, including in the application of the Criteria, since the previous RIS for the site. The open fen mire is overgrowing with reeds. In 1990s the reed occupied minimal areas and the total area of Aquatic Warbler habitat was about 8000 ha and the species number was about 7000 males. In 2000s the reed began to spread rapidly and now (2012) it covers about 6310 ha, which resulted in number decline of Aquatic Warbler till 2500-3500 males. The reasons of overgrowing with reeds: The increased water level during the vegetation period; Violation of the water quality, coming from melioration systems. Absence of burning of old vegetation (Update) Is the change in ecological character negative, human-induced Yes AND a significant change (above the limit of acceptable change) 2.2 - Site location 2.2.1 - Defining the Site boundaries b) Digital map/image <1 file(s) uploaded> Boundaries description (optional) Data & location, S2 - Page 1 RIS for Site no. 1219, Zvanets, Belarus The site borders on the Dnieper-Bug Canal (DBC) in the North, Belooziorsk Canal in the East, bypass canals of the Orekhov and Krasny Partizan collective farms’ drainage systems in the South, Orekhov Canal in the West. The National Biological Reserve Zvanets was established in 1996 with the total area 10460 ha. The Ramsar site was created in 2002 with the total area of 15873 ha, including the whole territory of the reserve and natural areas adjoing the reserve on the West. In 2010 the National Biological Reserve was transformed into National Landscape Reserve with extension of its border to coincide with the Ramsar site. The area of the new established reserve, and accordingly, the area of the Ramsar site, was calculated more accurately and is 16227 ha. 2.2.2 - General location a) In which large administrative region does Brest Oblast, Drogichin and Kobrin Districts the site lie? b) What is the nearest town or population Drogichin town centre? 2.2.3 - For wetlands on national boundaries only a) Does the wetland extend onto the territory of one or more other Yes No countries? b) Is the site adjacent to another designated Ramsar Site on the Yes No territory of another Contracting Party? 2.2.4 - Area of the Site Official area, in hectares (ha): 16227.4 Area, in hectares (ha) as calculated from 16231.86 GIS boundaries 2.2.5 - Biogeography Biogeographic regions Regionalisation scheme(s) Biogeographic region EU biogeographic Continental regionalization Other biogeographic regionalisation scheme Polesie Lowland - Dementiev, 1959 Data & location, S2 - Page 2 RIS for Site no. 1219, Zvanets, Belarus 3 - Why is the Site important? 3.1 - Ramsar Criteria and their justification Criterion 1: Representative, rare or unique natural or near-natural wetland types The Zvanets mire is a typical example of a watershed-located sedge-Hypnum moss fen mire of the Belarusian Polesie, still remaining in a close-to-natural state. After 1960-80 drainage campaigns most fens were transformed into agrophytocenoses. Only six large fens were left in natural state in Europe. Zvanets is the largest of them. Site Zvanets, located on the watershed of two river basins, has high water Hydrological services provided conservation and hydrology-regulating value for the region. It serves as a water source and storage place: the area of the mire is also used as a large reservoir to store water pumped out of the ameliorated (poldered) areas in rainy periods and supply water for drained tracts during dry periods. Thus, the mire provides flood control and plays important role in hazard prevention. Biodiversity support - the site supports particular elements of biological diversity (species, habitat types) of fen mires. The Zvanets mire contains a significant proportion of plant and animal species adapted to special environmental condition (mesotrophic open fen mire). Other ecosystem services provided Traditional economic activity - wild-hive beekeeping, which is a part of a culture, is still practiced within the site. Bee-houses are mounted on large ancient oaks, the latter presenting significant historic, esthetic, and scientific value. Open sedge fen parts of the mire are natural habitats for many species under minimal anthropogenic Other reasons load. They can serve as reference mires in planning for management of fens, as well as for rehabilitation of wetlands. Criterion 2 : Rare species and threatened ecological communities Criterion 3 : Biological diversity The site is a "hotspot" for conservation of biological diversity of the biogeographic region. It supports particular elements of biological diversity (species, habitat types) of fen mires. The Zvanets mire contains a significant proportion of species adapted to special environmental condition (mesotrophic open fen Justification mire). 29 plant species were discovered to be rare and disappearing within the district in question (Polesie). 10 vegetation communities formerly widespread across Polesian fen mires, now rare for Belarus and Europe, are found here. Bird species composition of Zvanets is not very rich but includes some typical fen mire species. Criterion 4 : Support during critical life cycle stage or in adverse conditions Criterion 6 : >1% waterbird population 3.2 - Plant species whose presence relates to the international importance of the site Why is the Site important?, S3 - Page 1 RIS for Site no. 1219, Zvanets, Belarus IUCN Scientific name Common name Criterion 2 Criterion 3 Criterion 4 Red CITES Appendix I Other status Justification List Allium ursinum National Red List - VU Arctium nemorosum National Red List - VU Carex davalliana LC National Red List - CR Cephalanthera rubra National Red List - VU Cypripedium calceolus LC National Red List - VU Dactylorhiza majalis National Red List - VU Gentiana cruciata National Red List - CR Gymnadenia conopsea National Red List - VU Hypericum quadrangulum quadrangulum National Red List - CR Lithospermum officinale National Red List - VU Nymphaea alba LC National Red List - VU Pedicularis sceptrum- carolinum National Red List - EN Salix myrtilloides National Red List - VU Saxifraga hirculus National Red List - CR Tofieldia calyculata National Red List - CR Out of 644 plant species occurring on the site, only 39 are synanthropic. Thus, the rate of synanthropisation of the mire's vegetation cover is very low, the synanthropisation index is 5.9%.