Data Zone
Country/territory: Belarus
IBA criteria met: A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 (2005)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 98,881 hectares (988.81 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2017 | not assessed | very high | not assessed |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2002 baseline)
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.
Key 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.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Mid Prypiac' (Belarus). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/mid-prypiac-iba-belarus on 22/12/2024.