Chronicle of nature

The Chronicle of Nature is one of the main scientific documents of the Reserve, which annually records the results of observations of natural processes and phenomena in accordance with the unified program on the topic “Dynamics of phenomena and processes in the natural complexes of the Berezinsky Reserve”.

The Chronicle of Nature is compiled on the basis of primary observations, which are made by both researchers and scientific and technical personnel, as well as forest guards, inspectors for the protection of natural complexes, conducting observations in accordance with the recommendations and program set out in the Observer's Diary. The chronicle accumulates all the information about the current state of the Reserve’s ecosystems and their components.

As a result of the annual implementation of the Chronicle of Nature program, the features of phenological phenomena in the life of plants and animals, the dynamics of the number of common and rare species of animals are established, a set of forest taxation works is carried out on permanent sample plots, an analysis of the direct and indirect impact on the natural complexes of the reserve is given, as well as the results of environmental protection and forestry activities, scientific research and environmental education.

In the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve, the Chronicle of Nature has been kept since 1969.

All volumes of the Chronicle of Nature are stored in the library of the State Nature Protection Institution “Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve” at the address: Domzheritsy village, Tsentralnaya Str, 2, Lepel district, Vitebsk region, and are available to the public.

When using materials from the Chronicle of Nature, reference to the original source is required.

The Chronicle of Nature includes 10 main sections:

1. Territory

This section provides data on changes in the area of the reserve, forestries, territory boundaries, quarter network, size of reserve zones, and other information regarding changes in territory.

2. Landscape-geographical structure and weather-climatic indicators

This section presents the results of studies of the reserve's topography, soils, hydrological features, data from measurements of ground and surface water levels in a network of permanent hydrological posts and hydrological wells.

The main weather and climate indicators are given based on measurements at the Berezinsky Nature Reserve base monitoring station. The most important of them are the average daily air temperature, air humidity, monthly precipitation, and the average depth of snow cover. Information is provided on the income and transformation of pollutants in the ecosystems of the reserve.

3. Permanent sample plots and survey sites, key profiles, sections, permanent (temporary) routes

Every year, the results of studies conducted at permanent observation sites, information about newly established stationary field sites, their primary description and geographic coordinates are presented.

4. Flora and vegetation

The section records all changes occurring in the flora and vegetation of the reserve, and the main results of the inventory work are placed in the year of its completion. New plant species discovered for the territory of the reserve are indicated, new habitats of previously known species included in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus are indicated, characteristics and assessment of the status of rare and endangered species are given.

The seasonal and year-to-year dynamics of plant communities are characterized: phenology, dynamics of growth of the above-ground mass of herbaceous communities, productivity of fruiting and seeding of woody plants, berries, mushrooms, taxation indicators of tree stands and characteristics of vegetation layer on permanent sample plots.

5. Fauna and animal population

The most important information that can be found in this section is the results of the annual numbers account of animals living in the reserve. Data is provided for individual groups: mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, fish, invertebrates. Information is provided on biotopic distribution, seasonal nutrition, population structure, fertility and survival of offspring, mortality from various causes and phenology.

Particular attention is paid to animal species included in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus, including registration of meeting places and marks of bison and lynx, bear and badger settlements, the number and location of nests of rare and protected bird species. Information is also provided on the species composition, numbers and conditions of keeping animals in the reserve’s enclosures.

6. State of the reserve regime, influence of anthropogenic factors on the nature of protected areas

This section provides information on the volumes and locations of traditional types of land use in the reserve: logging, haymaking, grazing, mushroom and berry picking, recreational fishing. Information is also provided on violations of the conservation regime, its types, seized tools for illegal production of fowl and fish, and the amount of fines collected. An assessment is given of the sanitary and pathological state of forests, as well as information about forest fires.

7. Scientific research

This section briefly describes the most important results on the main topics of research, summarizes them and draws a conclusion about the key scientific achievements. A list of sections of scientific research is provided, indicating the performers. A list of published scientific works, as well as conferences, meetings, exhibitions and seminars in which the reserve staff took part, is indicated.

Information is provided on the formation of collection funds, implementations and recommendations developed by the employees of the scientific department, a complete list of research topics carried out by third-party organizations, indicating the main results of the work carried out.

8. Work of the scientific and technical council

Information is provided on the number of meetings of the scientific and technical council, the time of their holding, the agenda and the operative part of each meeting.

9. International cooperation. Environmental education and ecotourism

This section is devoted to the analysis and results of the reserve’s work in implementing international treaties and obligations, development of environmental education and tourism. Information is provided on the number and composition of visitors to the reserve, the number and topics of excursions for domestic and foreign guests, information about the infrastructure in the field of environmental tourism activities, events held on the basis of the reserve, and work with the media.

An annual comparative analysis of financial and economic indicators from environmental tourism, hunting activities, information about visits to the Museum of Nature, enclosures with wild animals, occupancy of hotels and guest houses is provided.

10. Management structure of the reserve

The final section provides data on the staff of the reserve, including: managers and specialists; employees; forest guards; scientific researchers; workers of all types, as well as the presence and composition of its structural divisions. 

COMPONENTS