Les na Vorskle Nature Reservea is a section of the
Belogorye reserve, located in the vicinity of the village of
Borisovka, on the right bank of the upper Vorskla river. Total area:
1038 ha. Security zone: 488 ha. Since 1924, it existed as a reserve
Les na Vorskle “Forest on Vorskla”, which in 1951 was liquidated and
became educational and experienced forestry.
In 1979, Les na
Vorskle Nature Reserve again received the status of a reserve. In
1995, the Ostrasyevsky Yary section was transferred to his
jurisdiction, and in 1999, the Yamskaya Steppe, Lysy Gory and Walls
of Izgorya sections (these three sections were incorporated until
1999 into the Central Black Earth State Natural Biosphere). Reserve
named after professor V.V. Alekhin) and in the same year the reserve
was named “Belogorye”.
The Les na Vorskle Nature Reserve, also known as the Worskla Forest, is a section of the larger Belogorye Nature Reserve (Zapovednik) located in the Borisovsky District of Belgorod Oblast, southwestern Russia. Established in 1924-1925, it is one of the oldest nature reserves in Russia and preserves a rare remnant of ancient upland oak forest in the forest-steppe zone. The reserve covers a total area of 1,038 hectares (approximately 2,560 acres), with an additional security zone of 488 hectares. Geographically, it occupies the high right bank of the upper Vorskla River, bordered on three sides by waterways: the Vorskla River to the south and east, and the Gotnya River (a tributary of the Vorskla) along with its tributary, the Loknya, to the west. It lies in the southern part of the Central Russian Upland's forest-steppe ecotone, transitioning between dense forests and open steppes, and is situated near the villages of Borisovka to the southeast, Krasny Kutok to the northwest, and Dubino across the river.
The topography of Les na Vorskle is diverse and characteristic of upland oak forests in the forest-steppe region, despite its relatively small size. The terrain can be divided into three main surface levels: the upper terrace in the northeastern part, which forms the edge of the interfluve plateau and reaches the reserve's highest elevation of 217 meters (712 feet) above sea level; the middle terrace encompassing the northwestern, western, central, and partial southern areas, featuring side terraces of the Gotnya and Loknya valleys with predominantly water-accumulative and eolian (wind-formed) landforms; and the lower areas adjacent to the Vorskla River valley, marked by erosional relief with varying slopes, ravines, and gullies. The lowest point is approximately 137 meters (449 feet) in the Vorskla valley. The landscape is dissected by several deep forest ravines, locally known as "yars" or "jars," which add to the ruggedness; notable examples include the Verveykov Yar (the longest and deepest, resembling a forest canyon), the wide and branched Wolf Yar, and the Udodov Yar. Additionally, zoogenic microrelief—small-scale features shaped by animal activity—is evident, such as badger and fox burrows with soil mounds, molehills, wild boar digs, and rodent trails. The western, northwestern, and southern edges consist of river terraces and slopes along the Vorskla, Gotnya, and Loknya rivers.
Hydrologically, the reserve is defined by its bordering rivers, which enclose it on three sides for distances ranging from 10 to 900 meters (33 to 2,953 feet). The Vorskla River, a major waterway in the region, forms the southern and eastern boundaries, while the Gotnya and Loknya provide the western limit. Within the reserve itself, there are no permanent watercourses, springs, or natural ponds due to permeable soils and deep groundwater layers (typically 25-30 meters below the surface, inaccessible to most plants). Temporary, short-lived streams appear in the yars during spring snowmelt or after heavy summer rains, creating brief rivulets at the bottom of canyons. In the early 20th century, artificial ponds were constructed in some gullies, but most dams have since failed, leaving only remnants in the upper sections. Small backwaters exist in the protection zone along the Vorskla floodplain. Atmospheric precipitation serves as the primary water source for vegetation, contributing to seasonal wetness in spring.
The climate of Les na Vorskle aligns with the temperate continental conditions of Belgorod Oblast, featuring distinct seasonal variations. Winters are long, cold, and snowy, lasting from November to March, with average January temperatures around -6°C to -8.1°C (21°F to 17.4°F) and extremes dropping to -37°C (-35°F). Skies are often cloudy, with frequent light snowfalls and windy conditions. Summers are warm and partly cloudy, with July averages around 19.9°C (67.8°F) and highs up to 40°C (104°F). The annual average temperature is approximately 8.2°C (46.8°F), and precipitation totals about 627 mm (24.7 inches), distributed somewhat evenly but with peaks in summer thunderstorms. This climate supports the forest-steppe ecosystem, with cold winters limiting certain species and warm summers promoting growth in the oak-dominated vegetation.
Soils in the reserve are predominantly gray and dark gray forest soils developed on carbonate loess loams, typical of forest-steppe oak woodlands. The eastern half features loess-based soils, while the northwestern areas include ancient alluvial sands from river terraces. In the southern and southeastern edges, Oligocene sandy loams prevail, with rust-colored clays exposed in eroded spots; underlying Cretaceous rocks do not surface. Approximately 20 soil varieties are distinguished, varying in podzolization (leaching), humus content, and other properties. According to Russian classification, they are gray forest soils; in USDA terms, they are Alfisols; and under German classification, Luvisols. These fertile, well-drained soils support the ancient oak stands and diverse understory.
As a biogeographical highlight, Les na Vorskle preserves one of the last intact upland oak forests in the European forest-steppe, with dominant 100-110-year-old plantations and about 130-160 hectares of oaks over 300 years old—the only such surviving grove in the former Soviet Union's European territory. The primary tree species is pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), accompanied by common ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Norway maple (Acer platanoides), small-leaved linden (Tilia cordata), and rough elm (Ulmus glabra). The understory includes shrubs like European euonymus (Euonymus europaeus), warty euonymus (Euonymus verrucosus), field maple (Acer campestre), Tatar maple (Acer tataricum), bloodtwig dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus), and wild rose (Rosa spp.). Herbaceous layers feature spring ephemeroids and broad-leaved grasses such as common goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria), European wild ginger (Asarum europaeum), obscure lungwort (Pulmonaria obscura), lance-leaved star-of-Bethlehem (Gagea lanceolata), and spring vetchling (Lathyrus vernus). Rare and protected plants include noble liverwort (Hepatica nobilis), umbrella hawkweed (Hieracium umbellatum), and curly-haired hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella). The flora reflects the Central Russian Upland's forest-steppe, with historical protections dating back to the 17th century banning the felling of key species like oaks, pines, maples, and elms.
While not strictly geographical, the reserve's fauna integrates with its physical environment, influencing microrelief and ecosystem dynamics. Mammals include abundant wild boars (Sus scrofa), which shape vegetation through rooting; European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus); foxes (Vulpes vulpes); pine martens (Martes martes); bats; insectivores; and small rodents. Avifauna is rich with 50-60 nesting bird species, primarily passerines in shrubs and trees. Amphibians (6-7 species), reptiles (5-6 species), insects (over 2,500 species, including rare beetles like the stag beetle), and arachnids (about 300 species) further enrich the biodiversity. Overall, the reserve's geography exemplifies a well-preserved forest-steppe enclave, protected from human interference to maintain its natural processes.
The site "Forest on Vorskla" is an upland oak forest located on the right high bank of the Vorskla River. 100-110-year-old plantations dominate. About 130 ha. occupied by oak forests over 300 years old. Of the tree species, the dominant ones are pedunculate oak, common ash, Norway maple, small-leaved linden, and rough elm. European euonymus, warty euonymus, and field maple are common in the undergrowth. Somewhat less common are: Tatar maple, svidina, laxative buckthorn, wild rose. Of the herbaceous plants in the upland oak forest, spring plants are widespread - ephemeroids and typical forest broad grass - common goutweed, European hoof, obscure lungwort, lanceolate stellate, spring rank, etc. In general, the flora of the "Forest on Vorskla" site is typical of most forest-steppe oak forests of the Central Russian Upland . Of the rare species, the noble liverwort, umbrella vulture griffon and curly-haired vulture are noted here.
The fauna of the protected area is very diverse. Its avifauna is especially rich, numbering 50-60 nesting, 5-7 wintering and 10-20 vagrant species of birds, which are representatives of 14 orders. More than half of them, according to the number of species, are birds from the order Passeriformes - mainly these are birds of small size. The vast majority of the birds of the Forest on Vorskla nest on shrubs and trees, including a significant proportion of representatives of the ecological group of hollow nesters, which is largely due to an excess of faut forest stand. In this area, the environment-forming activity of ungulates, primarily the wild boar, which abounds here, is clearly traced, which has a pronounced effect on plant and animal communities. Of the other mammals, the most numerous in the oak forest, of course, are small mouse-like rodents; in addition, some species of bats and insectivores are common here, as well as fox, pine marten, European roe deer and some others. Representatives of the classes Amphibians and Reptiles - 6-7 and 5-6 species, respectively, are an integral part of the oak forest fauna. More than 2,500 species of insects have been recorded in the Forest on Vorskla, including many rare ones (stag beetle, large green bronze, Hungarian ground beetle, etc.) and about 300 species of arachnids.