National Park Meschersky, in Klepikovsky and Ryazansky Districts of the Ryazan Region,
was established in 1992. Its area is 103 thousand ha. It comprises the basin of lakes
Klepikovskoye and the Pra River, Oka River tributary. In the north it borders on the Meschera National Park.
Lowland lake-alluvial landscapes of central Meshchera with a complex of eutrophic fens
and mesotrophic bogs with a system of drainage shallow lakes (Velikoe, Shagara, Bolshoe
and Maloe Beloe, etc.), and oligotrophic watershed moors are present.
Strictly protected nature features of greatest significance are:
a) oligotrophic forested moors in Lakes Klepikovskie depression (Maloe Zhabie bog, bog
Pyshnitsa, Prudkovskaya zavod — bay of Lake Velikoe) with a valuable wetland avian
complex, including the whooper swan, crane, great crested grebe, black-tailed godwit,
whaup, etc.;
(b) drainage shallow lakes Komgar and Negar on the watershed of the Pra and Solotcha
rivers with adjacent eutrophic fens, mesotrophic bogs and oligotrophic moors and
mesotrophic bogs, pine forests, often with steppe elements;
(c) the floodplain and the valley of the Pra Rivers with a unique diversity of
biotopes, the most complete set of Meshchera flora;
d) Lakes Klepikovskie waterfowl habitats. In the Park rare and endangered plants are to
be found, including Isoetes cetacea, caltrop, Salvinia natans and also plants, growing on
the edge or beyond their main range.
The forest fauna is characteristic, including the moose, red fox, polecat, marten,
beaver, muskrat, hazel grouse, capercaillie.
The National Park is part of the wetland "Pra River Floodplain" of
international significance.
