Zapovednik Les na Vorskle, in the southern part of Belgorodskaya Region, was
established in 1925. Its area is 1 thousand ha, and it acquired its present-day boundaries
in 1995. The Zapovednik is situated on the high bank of the Vorksla river, tributary of
Dnepr. It includes the adjacent plateau, dissected by lies and ravines. The highest
elevation is 217 m above the sea level.
The plant cover is formed mostly by an "upland" oak forest, about 80-100
years old, typical of the forest-steppe. About 160 ha is a unique massif of a 250-300 year
old oak forest. The forests have a complex layer pattern, consisting of the English oak,
the maple, linden, ash, crab apple, and common pear. The plant cover of the forest glades
is peculiar, with mesophytes, xeromesophytes and steppe species prevailing.
The flora has 550 vascular plant species, and more than 900 fungi.
The fauna is typical of the forest-steppe, including the European roe deer, moose, wild
boar, red fox, badger, stone marten. the European hare. The raccoon dog has been
acclimatized.
Among the nesting birds the black kite is common, less frequent are the buzzard, the
goshawk, booted eagle, raven. There are colonies of common heron. Insects are diverse and
numerous, including rare as the common stag beetle.
