NATURE
 |
Bee eater (Merops apiaster) - photo P. Kunysz |
| South-east Poland is renowned as the region of unique natural values. The cleanness of the environment, the variety of fauna and flora (presence of rare and threatened with extension species) and a large number of natural ecosystems make it one of the most naturalistically valuable regions in Europe. |
Waterfall - photo K. Antosz |
| Therefore, a significant part of these areas is being preserved within the environmental protection system. There are 2 national parks (the third one is due to be established), almost 70 reserves, 11 landscape parks, 21 areas of protected landscape and over 1200 natural monuments. Altogether, the protected territory covers 50% of the Polish part of the Carpathian Euroregion. |
Geological reserve "Prządki" near Krosno - photo A. Szymbara |
| Extensive and dense forests are home for many rare species of animals. The Carpathian primeval forest abounds in big mammals such as aurochs (Bison bonasus), brown bears (Ursus arctos) or Carpathian deer (Cervus elaphus montanus) as well as predators: wolves (Canis lupus), lynxes (Felis lynx) and wildcats (Felis silvestris). Some of the interesting birds which live here are golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), spotted eagles (Aquila pomarina), eagle owls (Bubo bubo) or short-toed eagles. |
White stork (Ciconia ciconia) - photo K. Antosz |
 Layers of the vegetation in the Bieszczady Mountains (in the foreground - Połonina Caryńska - 1297 m above sea level) - photo K. Antosz |
Attention should also be paid to the regional flora. Owing to the fact
that the Polish part of the Carpathian Euroregion comprises various physiographic units,
the world of plants is so rich. It abounds both in lowland and mountainous species.
Morover, the borderline between the East and West Carpathians runs here and therefore the
local species are characteristic for both parts. Particularly interesting are the Bieszczady Mountains with their high-mountain meadows called połoniny. One of the characteristic features of the Bieszczady is the lack of upper mountain forest zone and subalpine dwarf mountain pine zone. In these mountains lower mountain forest zone changes straight off (on about 1100 m above sea level) into the alpine zone of połoniny. |
Bieszczady National Park
| The Bieszczady National Park was established in 1973 and covers the area of 28 thousand ha. It is situated in the central part of the Polish Bieszczady and comprises all the highest peaks of these mountains (Tarnica 1346 m above sea level, Krzemień 1335 m, Halicz 1333 m). The Park aims at protecting the most valuable natural elements of the East Carpathians. The Bieszczady National Park, Ciśniańsko-Wetliński Landscape Park, the Valley of the San Landscape Park, Ukrainian reserve Stużyca and Slovak National Park "Połoniny" belong to the UNESCO's International Biosphere Reserve 'East Carpathians'. |
Bieszczady National Park - połoniny range |
| Contacts: Bieszczady
National Park Scientific and Didactic Centre Informational and Educational Centre |
Leucoium vernum |
Magurski National Park
The Magurski National Park of 20 thousand ha was established in 1995. The park is situated in the west of the Lower Beskid and includes the massif of the Magura Wątkowska (846 m above sea level) and a fragment of the main ridge of the Carpathians. The park aims at protecting characteristic elements of the Lower Beskid nature.
Contacts:
Magurski National Park
Krempna 59
38-232 Krempna
tel./fax 090 395 197
Tourist Information Centre
of the Magurski National Park
38-230 Nowy Żmigród,
tel.: Nowy Żmigród 606, 680
| The landscape parks which are submitted to the Complex of Carpathian Landscape Parks in Krosno (ul. Walslebena 6, 38-400 Krosno, tel./fax (0-13) 436-31-87): | |
|
Czarnorzecko-Strzyżowski Landscape Park - valley of the Wisłok river - photo A. Szymbara |
The landscape parks submitted to the Complex of Landscape Parks in Przemyśl (ul. Wybrzeże Kościuszki 24, 37-700 Przemyśl, tel. (0-16) 670-48-74):
The landscape parks submitted to the Complex of Landscape Parks in Tarnów (Al. Solidarności 5-9, 33 -100 Tarnów):
- Wiśnicko-Lipnicki Landscape Park
- Ciężkowicko-Rożnowski Landscape Park
- Brzanka Mountains Landscape Park
Please send your questions and comments to: arr@karpaty.com.pl
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