Biodiversity is a term describing the diversity of life on Earth in any forms. The International Day of Biological Diversity is celebrated annually on May 22, by the initiative of the United Nations, since 2001.
One of the main purposes of the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve as a specially protected natural area is the conservation of biological diversity. More than 2 thousand species of plants are registered in the reserve, among which 826 are vascular (including native and adventitious species), 216 bryophytes, 565 fungi, 317 algae, and 261 lichens. The modern list of invertebrates of the reserve includes more than 6 thousand species. The fauna of the reserve's vertebrates includes 354 species out of 469 recorded for Belarus. The fauna of reptiles includes 6 species, and amphibians − 11 species. There are also 58 species of mammals and 245 species of birds.
In the first half of May, researchers from the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve conducted an expedition to the central part of the protected area, to the Postrezhye, Plyasinka and Pripornoye natural boundaries. It confirmed the great biodiversity of local flora.
During a one-day expedition, an interesting mushroom was found − a, which is much larger in size than the first spring mushroom – common false morel (Gyromitra esculenta). In addition, giants false morel is much lighter than common one, and has a light beige tint.
Following the characteristic sharp, garlic smell, scientists found and then described a new place of growth of ramson − a protected plant species.
Probably, a big lover of ramson − a brown bear, traces of which were found in the thickets of this plant, became the carrier of its seeds from another part of the territory, and contributed to the formation of a new habitat.
May is the time of flowering for many forest plants, such as marsh marigold and common oxalis.
But the most surprising discovery of this expedition was the discovery for the first time in the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve of a rare plant species group − swamp violet (Viola uliginosa Bess.).
On an area of 28 m2, 531 individuals of this species grow, of which more than 81% are flowering.
This representative of the Violet family is included in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus (IV category).
Previously, marsh violet was not found in the Vitebsk region (the northernmost point of growth used to be the Pukhovichi district of the Minsk region). In addition to this rare, beautifully flowering perennial herbaceous plant, 12 more species of violets have been described in the reserve, most of them grow in the wild.
So, now there is more one more Red book specie in the reserve − in total, 66 species of protected wild plants grow here. Among them is a lady's-slipper orchid that is currently blooming, andduring a special thematic tour this week you can admire this in the wild nature of the Berezinsky Reserve.
Photos by Denis Ivkovich
