The Pripyat Marshes
Learn about the largest wetlands in Europe
By Claire Strevey
The Pripyat marshes are the largest continuous wetlands in Europe [3] and are crucial to the health of our planet as they improve water quality, provide essential habitat, and act as buffers to extreme climate events such as droughts and flooding.
Stretching across the northwest part of Ukraine, the Pripyat (or Polissya) Marshes unfold in swathes of sandy lowlands, dense woods, and nearly impenetrable shrub thickets. The marshlands contain intricate river networks which feed into the immense transboundary river of Dnipro [1].
The Pripyat Marshes are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including 56 species [2] of vascular plants which are classified as threatened and protected by Ukrainian law. The marshlands are essential habitat to birds across the globe, and are used as a wintering retreat by species from the Baltic states and Scandinavia.
View of the marshy areas bounding the Pripyat River. Robert Niedźwiedzki (CC BY 3.0)
Endangered Species
Of the 233 species [4] of birds observed in the Pripyat Marshes, many face global extinction and are experiencing severe population decline.
Examples of Endangered Species
White-eyed pochardThis species of bird, also known as the ferruginous duck, is listed as Near Threatened due to the drainage of marshlands, pollution of waterbodies, and introduction of invasive species through human recreational activities. [5] The ferruginous duck relies on shallow freshwater habitats where there is plenty of nutrient rich submerged plant matter and surrounding dense vegetative zones for shelter. | |
 © Koshy Koshy / CC-BY-2.0 | Greater spotted eagleGreater spotted eagles prefer wetter habitats than many other eagle species, and are drawn to riparian zones, bogs, lakes, and other areas of water which have dense woodlands around their perimeters. Like other wetland dwelling avian species, the Greater spotted eagle is threatened by the destruction of its habitat through human activities. [6] |
White-tailed eagleAlso known as the Sea eagle, White-tailed eagles spend most of the year near large bodies of salt and freshwater, including lakes, wetlands, rivers and bogs. They rely on old growth trees and steep sea cliffs for nesting as well as an abundance of fish and water birds to eat. They are at risk due to human developments and the use of toxic pesticides on crops which wind up in their food and the waters where they live. [7] | |
Great snipeThe Great snipe is a small and stocky wading bird which relies on the marshes and wet meadows found in north-eastern Europe. The Great snipe is famed for its ability to fly long distances without pause, 4,200 miles at altitudes up to 8700 meters, and the birds rely on stored body fat to make the journey, as they do not break for food or rest. The Great snipe population in Europe is declining due to hunting and the development of their traditional mating grounds. [8] |
Flora of the Pripyat Marshes
Characteristics of the vegetation of the Pripyat Marshes
Looking ahead
Work is underway to protect the Pripyat Marshes from future drainage and destruction by having them listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Campaigners are pushing to have the wetlands recognized alongside the Serengeti National Park and Great Barrier Reef. [9]
Sources:
[2] Sverdlov, V., & Karpenko, Yu. (2024). The vascular plant species of different protection levels in the ecosystems of the regional landscape parks of the Ukrainian Polissia. Studia Biologica, 18(3), 157–174. doi:10.30970/sbi.1803.782 http://publications.lnu.edu.ua/journals/index.php/biology/article/view/5024
[3] Nature, Knowledge and Politics in the Pripyat Marshes during the Second Polish Republic https://munkschool.utoronto.ca/event/nature-knowledge-and-politics-Pripyat-marshes-during-second-polish-republic
[4] https://evnuir.vnu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/12176
[5] https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/ferruginous-duck-aythya-nyroca
[6] https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/greater-spotted-eagle-clanga-clanga
[7] Gavrilyuk, Maksym & Grishchenko, Vitaly. (2000). Current status of the White-tailed Eagle in Ukraine.
[8] Shydlovsky, Ihor. “Current State of Nesting Settlements and Study of Great Snipe Gallinago Media in Western Ukraine.” Visnyk of Lviv University. Biological Series, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, 2020.