Michael's Virgin Land Nature Reserve
| Michael's Virgin Land Nature Reserve | |
|---|---|
| Ukrainian: Михайлівська цілина | |
 Michael's Virgin Land Nature Reserve | |
  Location of Reserve | |
| Location | Sumy Oblast |
| Nearest city | Sumy |
| Coordinates | 50°55′N 34°45′E / 50.917°N 34.750°E |
| Area | 883 hectares (2,182 acres; 9 km2; 3 sq mi) |
| Established | 2009 |
| Governing body | Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (Ukraine) |
Michael's Virgin Land Nature Reserve (Ukrainian: Михайлівська цілина) is a protected nature reserve of Ukraine that covers meadow-steppe and forest-steppe in the northeast of Ukraine near the border with Russia. It exhibits plants found in both northern and southern steppes. First created as a reserve in 1928, it was expanded over the years and formally upgraded to a national reserve in 2009. The reserve is in the administrative districts of Lebedyn and Nedryhailiv of Sumy Oblast.[1]
Topography
[edit]The reserve is relatively flat in the uplands of northeast Ukraine, in the watershed of the Sula River and the Grun River. It is the remnant of what was formerly a large virgin grassland. The main body of the reserve is in the middle of the district, with several small satellite sites of 40-100 hectares each scattered around the vicinity to protect other remnant meadow-steppe plots.[2]
Climate and ecoregion
[edit]The climate of the reserve is Humid continental climate, warm summer (Köppen climate classification (Dfb)). This climate is characterized by large seasonal temperature differentials and a warm summer (at least four months averaging over 10 °C (50 °F), but no month averaging over 22 °C (72 °F).[3][4]
The reserve is located in the East European forest steppe ecoregion, a transition zone between the broadleaf forests of the north and the grasslands to the south.. This ecoregion is characterized by a mosaic of forests, steppe, and riverine wetlands.[5]
Flora and fauna
[edit]The reserve is meadow-steppe and forest steppe, known for wildflowers, feather grass, fescue and other grasses. Many parts are recovering from the influences of humans, particularly hay-making, and are the subject of scientific study of the processes of rebuilding wild plant and animal communities.[2]
Public use
[edit]As a strict nature reserve, Michael's Reserve's primary purpose is protection of nature and scientific study. Public access is limited: mass recreation and construction of facilities is prohibited as are hunting and fishing.[2]
See also
[edit]- Lists of Nature Preserves of Ukraine (class Ia protected areas)
- National Parks of Ukraine (class II protected areas)
References
[edit]- ^ "Michael's Virgin Land Nature Reserve" (in Ukrainian). Zapovedniks of Ukraine. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
- ^ a b c "New Records and National Parks of Northern Ukraine" (in Ukrainian). Highway. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ Kottek, M.; Grieser, J.; Beck, C.; Rudolf, B.; Rubel, F. (2006). "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
- ^ "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
- ^ "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
External links
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