Fen mires are Belarus' unique natural resource and home to a variety of animals and plants. Vadzim Pratasevich, director of the Sporaŭski National Biological Preserve, told us about the work that was done in its wetlands in the latter half of 2016 and its achievements in the field of biodiversity protection.
—What work was done in the Sporaŭski Biological Preserve in the autumn of 2016 and the winter of 2016 and 2017?
Nearly all mowing work in the preserve is done during this time of the year. We do almost nothing at the end of the spring and in the summer—the nesting season for the aquatic warbler. With the help of the equipment purchased within the framework of the EU/UNDP project titled, “Clima East: Conservation and sustainable management of peatlands in Belarus to minimize carbon emissions and help ecosystems to adapt to climate change, while contributing to the overall mitigation and adaptation effort,” the wetlands were cleared of trees, shrubs and grass. Sixty-four hectares of trees and shrubs were cut down in our preserve last year. We also mowed 786 hectares of wetlands and harvested 840 cubic metres of wood chips. This product has already been sold to companies that are interested in green fuel.
—Can you see any positive environmental and economic impact from the work that has been done in the preserve?
While monitoring the fauna in the preserve in 2016, we clearly saw the environmental impact of mowing. There are sections of the mire, situated near the village of Mastyki and totaling about 200 hectares, that had never been mowed before January and February 2016. We mostly prepared those areas for wader species. However, it turned out that more than 10 male warblers had already found their way there. Previously this bird had not occurred in that part of the preserve. The numbers of warbler—an indicator of the state of the wetland—have been stable in the regularly mowed areas, and the density of its population has been increasing.
It would be premature to talk about economic impact and self-sufficiency, considering that we did not have all necessary equipment and a zero waste cycle for some time during our work. Now we have received all required equipment within the framework of Clima East. I hope that we will be able to cover the mowing costs on our own starting this year.
—Apart from mowing wetlands, what do you do to preserve biodiversity?
We are taking a whole range of biotechnical measures. For instance, last year we built 15 nesting platforms for predatory birds and a number of houses for birds of the Anatidae family in the flood plain of the River Yaselda, working together with our hunting farm.
Interaction with young people is also a very important priority for us. We informed students of schools and other educational institutions about environmental activities and opportunities for their involvement (for example, by joining the network of guardians of an NGO called Protection of the Fatherland’s Birds).
—This is the last year of Clima East. What is your assessment of cooperation with this project? What major events are scheduled for this year?
Clima East has been one of a kind in technological terms. We have already participated in several projects of international financial and technical assistance, but we have never received equipment that is so unique for Belarus. We aimed for cyclical and sustainable mowing, that is precisely why we needed specific types of equipment for each production stage.
This year we are setting higher targets for ourselves. We plan to mow at least 1,200 hectares of wetlands and hold the Sporaŭskiya Senakosy Festival in cooperation with the project team. This is a colourful and original event with a varied programme. As always, everything will be interesting, educational and entertaining.
The Sporaŭski Biological Preserve is one of the pilot areas of the EU/UNDP project called “Clima East: Conservation and sustainable management of peatlands in Belarus to minimize carbon emissions and help ecosystems to adapt to climate change, while contributing to the overall mitigation and adaptation effort.” Equipment for cutting trees and shrubs, mowing grass and reeds and their transportation and processing was purchased and supplied for this protected wilderness area: a brush braker, two saws, a special light-weight tractor, a mulcher for chopping bushes, a flaker for chipping the wood, a softrak, a conveying-loading trailer for wood transportation, a biobaler, and a wood harvester.
The project is being financed by the European Union and implemented by the UN Development Programme in cooperation with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus. The project budget is 1,498,000 euros.
