Black Sea Nature Reserve

The Black Sea Nature Reserve is located in Ukraine and is part of the country's efforts to conserve its biological heritage. Ukraine, bordered by the Black Sea to the south, has diverse plant and animal life across its distinct natural vegetation zones: Polissya (woodland and marsh), forest-steppe, and steppe. Remnants of the natural steppe vegetation are protected in nature reserves.1

The Black Sea itself is a large inland sea bordered by Ukraine to the north. Scientifically, it's notable for its lower levels being biologically dead due to limited oxygen, a condition not caused by pollution but by weak ventilation of deep layers. The Black Sea Nature Reserve specifically shelters numerous waterfowl species and is the only Ukrainian breeding ground for the Mediterranean gull.21