Medobory nature reserve

Medobory nature reserve covers an area of Husyatyn, and partially Pidvolochynsk districts, Ternopil region. It covers an area — 9455 hectares. The name "Medobory" comes from honey plants, local forests are rich in them. On the territory of the original landscape there is a valuable monument of nature and geology — Podilski tovtry- not high, rocky hills.

Karst topography is formed by the most famous caves: "The cave hermit", "Pearl" and "Khrestynka". Unusual names to these caves were given owing to their peculiarities. For example, "Pearl" got its name from pearl-like calcite balls .

River Zbruch flows within the nature reserve. There are natural healing mineral waters, the sanatoriums are built on their basis.

The local climate — temperate, with mild winters (average temperature in January — -3°C) and warm summers (average temperature in July — +18°C). The annual precipitation is 620 mm, which contributes to the growth of forest plants.

More than 93% of the nature reserve's territory is covered with forests. The basis of forest stands is formed by such trees as oak, beech and ash. European spindle, Euonymus verrucosus Scop., Wayfaring Tree, common hazel, Thelycrania. In general, the protected flora numbers in 3 thousand species, a third part of them — vascular. Among them are numerous endemic and relict species. 44 species are listed into the Red Book of Ukraine: burning bush (Dictamnus albus), Schivereckia podolica, ramsons (Allium ursinum), great masterwort (Astrantia major), perennial honesty (Lunaria rediviva), Turk's cap lily (Lilium martagon), Crocus heuffelianus Herb; 12 orchid species, in particular: lady's-slipper orchid (Cypripedium calceolus), lesser butterfly-orchid (Platanthera bifolia), Bird's-nest Orchid, etc.

The fauna of the reserve is typical for Podillya-Transnistrian region. Among invertebrates there are found more than 2,500 species of insects, 22 of which are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine: stag beetle, Clouded Apollo, Old World swallowtail, musk beetle, Tau Emperor, large carder bee, blue underwing, Xylocopa valga. Vertebrates are represented by 9 species of fish, 11 — amphibians, 7 — reptiles. The most significant group of birds numbers in 188 species; 14 species of birds are registered in the Red Book of Ukraine: lesser and greater spotted eagle, hen harrier, common rock thrush, barn owl, Ural owl, great grey shrike, etc. The nature reserve is inhabited by 47 mammal species. In particular: European roe deer, wild boar, fox; rare species: badger, common weasel and 4 species of bats. In general, 34 animal species listed into the Red Book of Ukraine, found on the territory of Medobory nature reserve. 7 local animals are also included into the European Red List: greater mouse-eared bat, brown long-eared bat, corn crake, Burgundy snail, Osmoderma barnabita, etc.

There are three tourist routes here: to a man-made cave "The cave hermit" and educational- to the mountains Hostra and Bohyt. On the territory of Medobory there are numerous ancient historical monuments, including different types of settlement-sanctuaries of the 10-13th centuries (Bohyt, Hovda, Zvenyhorod).