MYKHAILIVSKA VIRGIN SOIL. UKRAINIAN STEPPE NATURAL PRESERVE
It is one of four-partite Ukrainian steppe natural preserve located near village Zhovtneve (117 residents), I-ebedyn Region. It is the smallest (2,024km-) and farthermost one (Khomutivsky Steppe. Donetsk Oblast, is a central part). It is the only area of virgin steppe soil [21] with characteristic meadow-and-steppe vegetation and fauna of forest-steppe zone of Ukraine. For 150 years and more they do not plow-up lands here, although they do mow grass every third year. It is a relic of proprietor's pastures. After establishment of Soviet power, the Mykhailivsky stud used the area up to 1928, when virgin soil was declared the local preserve. In 1947, the status of preserve was upgraded to republican, and in 1961 Mykhailivska virgin soil was included into the Ukrainian steppe natural preserve. Its territory, protected with a windbelt, is a low hill, which gradually comes down to the surrounding gullies. It is an enthralling sight of rare trees, blackthorns, aromatic herbage, and motley of flowers. There are 531 types of vascular plants in Mykhailivska virgin soil. They flower at different time; therefore, the sight always varies. The preserve residents include grey hares, foxes and numberless rodents. |
|
