Desna River Floodplains

Desna River Floodplain
Desna River Floodplain
Desna River Floodplain
Desna River Floodplain
Desna River Floodplain
Migratory  geese.
Migratory geese.
Migrating geese.
Migratory  geese.
Migratory  geese.
Migratory waders.
Migratory waders.
Migratory waders.

Desna River Floodplains

  • Country: 
    Ukraine
  • Site number: 
    1398
  • Area: 
    4,270 ha
  • Designation date: 
    17-11-2003
  • Coordinates: 
    52°11'N 33°21'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

The Desna River Floodplain lies adjacent to Ukraine’s border with the Russian Federation. It features numerous meanders, lakes, swamps and meadows with abundant semiaquatic and floodplain meadow vegetation, and small areas of floodplain forests. The Site is one of the most pristine stretches of the River, and supports nationally protected aquatic plant communities and internationally threatened species such as the critically endangered European mink (Mustela lutreola) and the vulnerable sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) and common pochard (Aythya ferina). Up to 70,000 birds stop over on the Site during their migration, and more than 1,500 individuals breed there including rare species of ducks, terns, waders and gulls. The absence of dykes and the excellent hydrological conditions make the Site a valuable spawning ground for many threatened, rare and commercially important fish species. The wetland contributes to freshwater purification, mitigates flooding and influences the local microclimate. Intensive agricultural activities have decreased over the years, and only some areas near settlements are threatened by overgrazing. The associated National Park plays an important role as a recreational area and hosts many environmental education activities.

Administrative region: 
Seredyno-Budskiy District, Sumy region

  • Global international designation: 
    • UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
  • National legal designation: 
    • National Natural Park - Desniansko-Starogutskyi National Natural Park
  • Regional (international) legal designations: 
    • Other international designation
  • Last publication date: 
    02-08-2021