Rescue the “Narcissi Valley”
Rescue the “Narcissi Valley”
2021-2023
The Ramsar Site “Narcissi Valley” (256 ha) contains the largest Central European lowland population of rare pheasant’s eye narcissus (Narcissus poeticus L.), 19 other plant and 24 animal species of the Red Data Book of Ukraine (2009) and international lists. The “Narcissi Valley” is not only a critically important biodiversity hotspot for Ukraine and a known refugium for the Carpathian region. The wet meadow habitats are critically endangered in the larger landscape of the whole Black Sea Basin.
The changes in the hydrological regime (towards more dry conditions) and a lack of traditional grass mowing/grazing stimulate the bush/tree growth, regular fires and decrease the narcissus population (by 70% during the last 10 years) and quality of wetlands habitats (by 40%). It looks imminent that without improved conservation measures the Site might lose the unique natural values and Ramsar status.