Sloboda National Nature Park

Sloboda National Nature Park (Ukrainian: Слобожанський національний природний парк; also: Slobozhanskyi NNP) is a national park of Ukraine that covers a forest-steppe region at the confluence of the Merla and Merchik Rivers in the East Poltava Highlands of eastern Ukraine. The park features an extensive complex of marshes, swamps, and other wetlands, forming rich habitat for diverse plants and animals. The park is administratively in Bohodukhiv Raion of Kharkiv Oblast.[1]

Sloboda National Nature Park
Ukrainian: Слобожанський національний природний парк
(Also: Slobozhanskyi NNP)
Sloboda National Nature Park in Winter
Map showing the location of Sloboda National Nature Park
Map showing the location of Sloboda National Nature Park
Location of Park
LocationBohodukhiv Raion, Kharkiv Oblast
Nearest cityKrasnokutsk
Coordinates50°05′09″N 35°12′56″E / 50.08583°N 35.21556°E / 50.08583; 35.21556
Area5,244 hectares (12,958 acres; 52 km2; 20 sq mi)
Established2009
Governing bodyMinistry of Ecology and Natural Resources (Ukraine)
Websitehttp://slobozhanskyi.in.ua/

Topography

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The valley of the Merla and Merchyk Rivers has a low terrace of floodplains, meadows, and marshes. The second terrace has hills and forest-steppe, with meadow-bog vegetation in the depressions.[1]

 
Backpacking, Sloboda NNP

Climate and ecoregion

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The climate of Sloboda is Humid continental climate, warm summer (Köppen climate classification (Dfb)). This climate is characterized by large seasonal temperature differentials and a warm summer (at least four months averaging over 10 °C (50 °F), but no month averaging over 22 °C (72 °F).[2][3]

Flora and fauna

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More than 90% of the park's territory is forest. The right bank of the Merla River is a natural maple-lime forest; the left bank has natural and artificial pine plantations. The bog-forests are primarily alder and birch.[1]

Public use

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Park logo

To protect the natural environment within the park, recreational activities are organized and controlled. The public is welcome on ecological-educational routes, and scientific-cognitive routes. Lodging is available in designated centers in the park, as are campsites, picnic areas, and pavilions for group activities. Excursions and self-directed hiking require a small fee.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Sloboda National Nature Park" (in Ukrainian). Official Park Site. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  2. ^ Kottek, M.; Grieser, J.; Beck, C.; Rudolf, B.; Rubel, F. (2006). "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  3. ^ "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
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