BASIC INFORMATION
Pasvik is the youngest nature reserve in the Murmansk region. On 16 July 1992, it became the first nature reserve established in the Russian Federation.

Pasvik Nature Reserve aims to protect and research:

  • boreal pine forests,
  • vast wetlands of worldwide importance,
  • waterfowl fauna
Pasvik Nature Reserve also provides an integrated monitoring of northern ecosystems.
Pasvik Nature Reserve has rich nature and history. People inhabited this area at different times: Sami, Finns, Russians, Norwegians. In some areas of the reserve traces of the Stone Age period were found.
Pasvik Nature Reserve is the newest nature reserve in Murmansk Region. On 16, July in 1992 it became the first nature reserve in Russian Federation.

In Pasvik Nature Reserve we conserve and explore:

  • boreal pine forests,
  • vast wetlands of worldwide importance,
  • diversity of waterbird species
We also provide integrated monitoring of northern ecosystems.
The nature reserve has both unique nature and rich history. At different times the Sami people, Finns, Russians and Norwegians lived there. In some places there are found traces of the Stone Age people.
NAME
The nature reserve got its name from the Paatsjoki (Pasvik) River, which flows along the reserve's border. In Sami language it means "holy river".
GEOGRAPHY
Total area of Pasvik Nature Reserve covers 36300 acres (147 km²)

  • water bodies — 21%,
  • forests — 52%,
  • marshes — 25%,
  • other — 2%.

The reserve's territory is a narrow land, stretching for 44 km along the Russian-Norwegian border. Pasvik is the only nature reserve in Russia, whose area is entirely situated in the border zone. The reserve's western boundary completely coincides with the Norwegian state border.
FACTS ABOUT PASVIK NATURE RESERVE
The only nature reserve in Russia, which shares its western boundary with international borders
The nature reserve's whole area is situated in the border zone
We protect wetlands of worldwide importance
We preserve Europe's northernmost boreal forests at the boundary of their distribution
Pasvik is the first EUROPARC member in Russia and is awarded a EUROPARC transboundary certificate
The nature reserve is a part of Pasvik-Inari Trilateral Park, one of the few trilateral parks in Europe
Pasvik Nature Reserve's fauna includes 239 bird species (50% - aquatic and semi-aquatic birds, waders). It is a pretty rich ornithofauna for northern latitudes
Pasvik is the youngest nature reserve in the Murmansk region and the first nature reserve in the Russian Federation
In 1995 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and President of WWF, visited an opening ceremony of the birdwatching tower on the Varlam Island
  • The only nature reserve in Russia that shares its western border with international borders
  • The nature reserve's whole area is in the border zone
  • We conserve wetlands of worldwide importance
  • We preserve Europe's northernmost taiga forests at the boundary of their distribution
  • Pasvik is the first EUROPARC member in Russia and has a EUROPARC transboundary certificate
  • The nature reserve is a part of Pasvik-Inari Trilateral Park. It is the only trilateral park in Europe
  • There are 239 bird species in the nature reserve. Half of them are waterbirds. This northern territory has high diversity in bird species
  • Pasvik is the newest nature reserve in Murmansk Region and first nature reserve in Russian Federation
  • In 1995 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visited Pasvik to open the birdwatching tower on the Isle of Varlam. He was a President of WWF from 1981 to 1996
Biodiversity of Pasvik Nature Reserve
Biodiversity of Pasvik Nature Reserve
Biodiversity: flora
  • Lichen: 591
  • Algae: 48
  • Bryophyte: 318
  • Vascular plants: 462

Biodiversity: fungi
  • Fungi: 362
Biodiversity: fauna

  • Freshwater mussels: 1
  • Arachnids: 150
  • Insects: 942
  • Fishes: 16
  • Amphibians: 1
  • Reptiles: 2
  • Birds: 239
  • Mammals: 32
Biodiversity: plants
  • Lichen: 591
  • Algae: 48
  • Bryophyte: 318
  • Vascular plants: 462

Biodiversity: fungi
  • Fungi: 362
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