On the Expedition
Survey the botanical diversity of unique wetlands before they disappear.
You can help gather information on the vegetative structure of bogs, peat composition of bog deposits, and human impacts on wetlands in the Belarussian 'Land of Blue Lakes.' You will collect herbarium samples, collect specimens for analysis of pollutants, dig prospect holes, and collect peat samples. You'll also measure tree diameters and estimate the productivity of ground vegetation. Volunteers will hike from one up to ten kilometers daily to sampling sites, and must be comfortable walking on wet, uneven terrain. Digging peat samples also takes a good deal of physical strength, but you will be rewarded with abundant wildlife and excellent opportunities for swimming. Working near Belarussian villages will provide opportunities to meet local fishermen, foresters, artisans, and scientists, and visits to museums and historic sites will round out your experience.
Meals and Accommodations
Teams will stay in simple guest houses in the field, with opportunities to wash in a traditional banija (bathhouse). You can also camp in your own tent if you wish, but bring your sleeping bag and come prepared to rough it in either case. You will have to do without hot showers and flush toilets in the field, but these rigors are far outweighed by the cultural immersion and unique natural environment you will experience. A cook will prepare local fare, including fresh and smoked fish and wild berries and mushrooms, with the help of volunteers.
About the Research Area
The Republic of Belarus is located in the eastern part of Europe and borders Russia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Poland and Latvia. The climate of Belarus is moderately continental with mild and humid winters, warm summers and wet autumns. The country’s terrain is predominantly low, hilly land with an average height of 160 meters above sea level, while the highest point is only 345 meters above sea level and the lowest is 80 meters. This flatness creates favorable conditions for the expansion of human settlements and the development of agriculture, industry, transport and service lines, tourism and recreation services.
Research Site
The fieldwork will take place in Narochanski National Park in the north of Belarus, in the Poozerje (meaning “Land with Lakes”) region. This area was formed after the last glacier 10-12 thousand years ago and has special kinds of soils on moraine. The climate is moister and cooler here than in southern Belarus. Lakes occupy 10% of the territory in Poozerje and the biggest lake of Belarus, Naroch, is situated here. About 8% of the Poozerje territory is occupied by raised bogs, including Jelnia, the largest bog massif in Europe. There are more than 30 species of mosses in the area, including sphagnum mosses (18 species), gypnum mosses (6 species), and liverworts (10 species). Sphagnum moss is the most common and the only trees found in the bogs are short, compressed pines. Other areas are dominated by woody plants including cranberry, butterbur, wild rosemary, myrtle, crowberry, heather, and great bilberry. Cotton-grass is typical among grasses, as well as sedges and insectivorous sundews. In general, raised bogs are very picturesque, unforgettable and fascinating. There is a lot of history connected with the bogs of Belarus and the landscape found here is mostly untouched by development.