The Mykolaiv Regional Council has approved the establishment of two new protected areas: the “Lukianivskyi” local landscape reserve (27.2 ha) and the “Barativka” local botanical reserve (62.37 ha).
The “Lukianivskyi” reserve was established on land belonging to the state-owned enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” (DP “Lisy Ukrayiny”). Its establishment was preceded by a survey conducted by a working group on afforestation analysis, in which our organization participated. The area was identified as a steppe, and it is now prohibited from being afforested. During the land surveys, carried out with representatives from the Southern Forest Office and the Pryvilnenske Forestry, several rare plant species were found within the proposed reserve.
The site is home to a number of species listed in The Red Data Book of Ukraine, including the endemic and relict granite broom (Genista graniticola), which grows in abundance in both the natural tree-shrub communities and open steppe areas. Other plants found here that are also in The Red Data Book of Ukraine include Volga adonis (Adonis wolgensis), spring adonis (Adonis vernalis), Scythian broom (Genista scythica), spring skullcap (Scutellaria supina), Southern Bug tulip (Tulipa hypanica), Odessa milkvetch (Astragalus odessanus), and hairy feather grass (Stipa capillata). Among the species on the Mykolaiv Regional Red List, the site contains pale hyacinth (Hyacinthella leucophaea), dwarf iris (Iris pumila), and common joint-fir (Ephedra distachya). The territory also represents habitats protected under the Bern Convention.
“Barativka” Reserve: A Post-Deoccupation Milestone
The “Barativka” reserve is the first protected site to be created in the Mykolaiv region since its deoccupation. The reserve is located on land belonging to the Horokhivska community.
Scientists have identified 130 species of vascular plants and about 30 species of lichens and lichenicolous fungi within this steppe area. The territory has a high conservation value. It is home to plant species listed in The Red Data Book of Ukraine, including Lessing’s feather grass (Stipa lessingiana), hairy feather grass (Stipa capillata), meadow pasque flower (Pulsatilla pratensis), and reticulated saffron (Crocus reticulatus).
The presence of the Shrenk’s tulip (Tulipa schrenkii) here is particularly valuable, as this is one of only about 25 known sites for this species in the Mykolaiv region. Most other tulip habitats in the region have been negatively impacted by forestry activities. The site also contains rare endemic species like Dnieper cymbachasma (Cymbachasma borysthenicum) and Southern Bug tulip (Tulipa hypanica).
Among the species protected at the regional level, the reserve hosts pale hyacinth (Hyacinthella leucophaea), dwarf iris (Iris pumila), common joint-fir (Ephedra distachya), and long-leaved milkvetch (Astragalus macropus).
Before the establishment of this reserve, the Horokhivska community was one of only five out of 52 territorial communities in the Mykolaiv region without protected areas.
