Vascular plants of the «Oleniy» Nature Park (Lipetsk Region)

The «Oleniy» Nature Park is located in the north-west of the Lipetsk region (central part of European Russia). The territory is situated on the eastern edge of the Central Russian Upland and belongs to the forest-steppe zone. The relief is an elevated, undulating plain. The Park territory is located in the Semenyok River valley and is characterized by a large number of gullies and ravines. The total area of the Park is 1217 hectares. Natural complexes have been significantly transformed by human activities. Arable land occupies over 76% of the area. Natural communities are typical for the northern forest-steppe zone. They are represented by steppe and mesophilic meadows, small island forests of oak, birch, aspen, pine plantations and man-made forest belts. There are shrub communities with Prunus spinosa and Cerasus fruticosa on the slopes of the ravines. Aquatic ecosystems account for only 0.3% of the total area of the Park.