Peatland restoration is one of the most pressing priorities on the global environmental agenda. Ukraine ranks among the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases from drained peatlands.
The main goal of this project in Ukraine is to restore the natural hydrological regime of the internationally important “Chorne Bagno” bog, as well as related wetlands within the same catchment area located in Zacharovanyj Kraj National Nature Park (the Enchanted Valley) in the Transcarpathian region.
The Park is best known as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe.” It features a diverse landscape mosaic of ancient beech forests, springs, bogs, spring fens, and traditionally managed meadows.
Since 2019, Chorne Bagno (the Black Swamp), located within the park, has been protected under the Ramsar Convention (https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/2389).
The project will be implemented by the Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds (USPB), the BirdLife Partner in Ukraine, in partnership with NABU (Germany) and Zacharovanyj Kraj National Nature Park (“Enchanted Land”). The project will be financially supported by the VGP Foundation.
Beavers in Chorne Bagno
Peatland restoration in the Transcarpathian region has a strong natural ally: the beaver. Beavers have started constructing dams and have raised the water table in parts of the catchment area. The project aims to complement these dams by stabilising ditch blockages downstream of the beaver-built structures.
Seven years ago, beavers began to re-establish a population in the Chorne Bagno peatland complex. Through their ecosystem-engineering activities, particularly dam building, they have helped retain water across the landscape. As a result, important areas of Chorne Bagno did not dry out during the three consecutive dry years from 2018 to 2020. Once again, beavers have proven their role as effective guardians of the peatland’s hydrological regime.
Additional Components of the Project:
- Development and implementation of a monitoring system for biodiversity and the hydrological regime, as well as the publication of scientific findings;
- Improvement of infrastructure supporting sustainable tourism in the Chorne Bagno peatland complex;
- Preparation of a peatland (bog) management plan for inclusion in the Zacharovanyj Kraj National Park management plan;
- Environmental education and awareness-raising activities for local communities.
