Cultural Landscape of the Desna River and its valley

It’s is the last unregulated river valley complex of this magnitude in the territory of modern Europe

The Desna River, Ukraine, 2021

Cultural heritage

 

Podesennya is the last unregulated river valley complex of this magnitude in the territory of modern Europe. The cultural landscape of Podesennya is the result of the centuries-old interaction of natural and cultural components within the region, and this symbiosis has produced a unique combination of geographical and historical features. This combination can be deciphered as an intact record with valuable information on the layers of historic occupation by various consecutive civilizations and their human interaction with the natural environment.

 

This is an area where the cultural and natural heritage of the Ukrainian people is united, represented by examples of ancient cultures that started to emerge in these territories tens of thousands years ago. More than a century of research has uncovered an extremely high concentration of archeological sites here from the Stone Age to the late Middle Ages.

 

There are more than 20 authentic and perfectly preserved wooden and stone churches and temples (including those of the pre-Mongol period). Rising over the steep banks of the rivers, they create a unique architectural landscape. Ancient traditions of cow- and horse-breeding, folklore and handicrafts have been preserved till today.

 

The churches, monasteries, cathedrals and monks’ caves in the area remain in their almost original form. For example, near the city of Kozelets, there is a church of the pre-Mongol period –Yuriev’s Goddess, in which the XI-th century frescoes have been preserved.

 

More than 10.000 archaeological sites are currently in need of research

Archaeological research of the foundations of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Baturyn, Ukraine, 2008

 

It is here that the Slavic civilization originated. The numerous monuments of the Neolithic period, of Trypillya culture, monuments of the Scythian and Sarmatian periods, the settlements of Kyivan Rus and of the Cossacks times have been discovered within the area.

 

The territory retains strong potential for archaeological research. Along the Desna river there are burial sites and remains from settlements of the Bronze Age, the Scythian period, early Slavic burial mounds, and the remains of buildings and fortifications of Kyivan Rus.

 

More than 10,000 archaeological sites are currently in need of research in the floodplain terraces of the rivers. Less than one tenth of these sites (about 700) have been discovered.

Biodiversity and endangered species

 

Due to its comparative isolation from the main roads and lack of industrial activity, it has preserved not only landscapes of exceptional natural value and beauty, but also serves as a habitat for rare and endangered species of flora and fauna — many are listed on the endangered species Red Data Book of Ukraine, the IUCN Red List, and Red List of the European Union.

 

Podesennya is the habitat for insects — about 4000 species, fish — 48, amphibians — 12, reptiles — 7, birds — 246, mammals — about 60 species.

 

Grey Crane (Grus Grus).

Desna River Valley, Ukraine, 2015

 

The floods of the rivers serve as natural ecological corridors for the migration of millions of birds. 246 rare species of birds have been identified on the territory; 43 species are listed on the Red Data Book of Ukraine, 13 in the IUCN Red List and 15 in the Red List of the European Union, such as White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus Albicilla), European Elk (Alces Alces), Gray Crane (Grus Grus), River Otter (Lutra Lutra), European Beaver (Castor Fiber) and others.

 

15 species of birds of Podesennya are listed on the Red List of the European Union.

White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus Albicilla). Desna River Valley, Ukraine, 2015

in 2016 it was officially included in the Emerald Network of Europe

 

All the components of the proposed object both cultural and natural, as well as its historical and architectural value, should be considered as a single complex, since all of them have been inseparably linked with one another and represent a chain of cause-and-effect relationships.

 

The unique combination of natural scenery and cultural elements is preserved in an almost pristine condition up to this day. The European experts have evaluated Podesennya as the territory with high biodiversity of the European importance and in 2016 it was officially included in the Emerald Network of Europe according to the Guidelines of the Berne Convention, 1989.

Lake Khotyn, Mezynskyi National Nature Park, Chernihiv Region, Ukraine, 2021

War

 

2014 — ...

 

Right now, next to this cell of the priceless virgin nature, the ecological and humanitarian disaster is happening. Currently, one-third of the nation’s forests have been impacted, with some areas experiencing permanent damage. Ukrainian black soils are contaminated with explosives. The war has caused a number of problems for the environment in Europe and threatens to cause even more in the future.

 

However, if Podesennya is granted the UNESCO protected status, it should become a life-saving shelter for the flora and fauna looking for a chance to exist in the adjacent areas. The pictures taken in the Kharkiv Region depict common and widespread scenery typical for any place after being occupied. While Ukraine’s ultimate triumph is inevitable, the battle to repair and preserve the environment has only just commenced.

 

Podesennya should be granted UNESCO’s protective status

The Snov River, Novi Borovychi, Chernihiv Region, Ukraine, 2021

 

By enlisting Podesennya to UNESCO’s Tentative List, the Site will benefit in several ways. These include:

 

  • better protection and conservation of the territory,
  • increased funding and resources for archaeological and scientific research,
  • greater promotion and recognition of the Site worldwide,
  • boost in touristic potential due to the creation of new routes and development of eco-tourism,
  • sustainable tourism in the region will contribute to the development of small and medium-sized businesses creating new jobs and promoting community involvement for the betterment of local welfare, thus giving new life to the region.

 

We believe that this treasure of the Ukrainian people will become a heritage for all mankind.

Species of animals, plants and fungi of Podesennya under legal protection.

Many species of living organisms require protection. To ensure their conservation, the Red Book of Ukraine and a number of international conventions have been established, thanks to which rare species of animals, plants and fungi receive protected status. On our website, you can see an interactive map that shows the locations where professional biologists and volunteers have documented encounters with such rare species in the Podesennya region.

By clicking on any point on this map, you can obtain additional information about a specific species, as well as details on who and when documented its presence at that particular location (some records also include photographs). All this information is published and available in the global biodiversity database GBIF, which is regularly updated with new data. Thus, we have the opportunity to learn about the natural value of any corner of Podesennya and identify which rare species require protection in this area.