Luhansk Nature Reserve

Luhansk Nature Reserve [Луганський природний заповідник; Luhanskyi pryrodnyi zapovidnyk]. A nature reserve established in Luhansk oblast for the study and preservation of the natural habitat of floodplain forests, meadows, and multiple grass steppes. The reserve extends over a total area of 1,579.5 ha in three separate divisions: the Striltsivskyi Steppe (494 ha, est 1936), Stanychno-Luhansk (498 ha, est 1968), and the Provalskyi Steppe (587.5 ha, est 1975 along the Donets Ridge). The aim of the reserve is to preserve in their natural state steppe vegetation and wild fauna, especially the endangered steppe bobak marmot. Over 400 species of flora can be found in the reserve, including tall plants, feather grass vegetation, and brushwoods.

[This article originally appeared in the Encyclopedia of Ukraine, vol. 3 (1993).]