Sites - Important Bird Areas (IBAs)

Ornithological information A total of 253 bird species have been recorded. Almost all 75 bird species listed in the National Red Data Book occur. The site hosts the following globally-threatened species: White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla, Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga, and Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola.

Site description Belovezhskaia Pushcha is Europe's last largest complex of primeval forests, typical of the forests that once covered middle Europe. Belovezhskaia Pushcha retains virgin forests with its typical flora and fauna. Ancient forests dominate by area, which is untypical for Belarusian woods. The average age of the trees is 90 years old, but trees that are 200-250 years old are very common.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Protected areas

Protected area	Designation	Area (ha)	Relationship with IBA	Overlap with IBA (ha)
Belovezhskaya Pushcha / Bialowieza Forest	World Heritage Site	92,676	protected area contained by site	5,500
Belovezhskaya Pushcha Biosphere Reserve	UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve	191,300	protected area contains site	87,400
Belowezskaya Pushcha	National Park	87,607	protected area contains site	87,400

Habitats

Land use

Other biodiversity The fauna of the Park includes 59 mammal, 28 fish, 11 amphibian and 7 reptile species. European Bison Bison bonasus is the pride and beauty of the IBA. At present, there are about 300 individual bisons in the Park. The high soil diversity means that the Park has an outstanding variety of plants. The vascular plant species includes about 900 species, with more than 40 of those listed in the National Red Data Book. Tree species include Silver Fir Abies alba, Durmast Oak Quercus petraea, Wych Elm Ulmus glabra, and Marn Elm Ulmus laevis. The rare shrub species listed in the National Red Data Book include Common Ivy Hedera helix, German Broom Genista germanica, and Whortleberry Willow Salix myrtilloides.

Management considerations Drainage of part of the Park and the surrounding areas was carried out in 1950-60s. As a result, the groundwater table has dropped significantly. Destruction of the undergrowth by an over-abundance of hoofed animals, whose proliferation is attributed to artificial feeding and over-hunting of large predators, such as Wolves. Forestry Economic activities have intensified since the re-organization of the zapovednik into a National Park. This is one of the most serious threats to the ecosystems. Chemical air pollution Belovezhskaia Pushcha is a natural barrier to pollutants migrating in the atmosphere. Precipitation of heavy metals on the IBA's forests threatens these natural habitats. Commercial collection of mushrooms, berries and medicinal plants undermines the feeding base of many animals and contributes to disturbance.

Protection status National Conservation Status: A Belarusian State Zapovednik "Belovezhskaia Pushcha" was established in 1939. In 1957, it was re-organized into a hunting and conservation reserve. In 1990, a National Park was established. International Conservation Status: In 1992 the site was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.A transborder biosphere reserve was established in 1993. An IBA was established in 1998 (code BY009, criteria À1, Â2, Â3).

References A.Kozulin, L.Vergeichik, M.Nikiforov and others. Treasures of Belarusian nature.- Minsk, 2002. -160 p.

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Bielaviežškaja Pušča. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 24/05/2013

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