Bieszczady

The forests of the Bieszczady National Park are among the best-retained forests in Poland. It is generally accepted that considerable areas of the forests are preserved in close to natural or even primeval condition.

This is the best-preserved remnant of the vast fir and beech forests (so-called Carpathian Forest) occupying the south-eastern part of Poland. These forests have retained their original character due to their inaccessibility – their remoteness from markets and roads, and the massive displacement of human populations from the area after World War II. The UNESCO World Heritage beech forests of Bieszczady National Park were never influenced by forest management, however, parts of the stands located at a high altitude near the upper tree line were under pressure from grazing activities in the mid-twentieth century. Forests in the buffer zone are also valuable with their natural species composition, however, their age structure has been slightly altered by management practices.

• UNESCO recognition: 2021
• Protected area: Bieszczady National Park
• Beech forest region: Carpathian
• Area: 3,471.75 ha
• Number of component parts: 4
• Altitudinal range: submontane to montane (700 - 1,260 m above sea level)
• Fauna: Brown bear, Wolf, Lynx, European wildcat, Lesser spotted eagle, Buzzard, Ural owl, Pygmy owl, Boreal owl, White-backed woodpecker, Black woodpecker
• Polonina Wetlinska and Smerek: N 49° 10’ 51’’, E 22° 30’ 12
• Border Ridge and Gorna Solinka valley: N 49° 5’ 58’’
• E 22° 33’ 24’’; Terebowiec stream valley: N 49° 5’ 37’’, E 22° 43’ 29’’
• Wolosatka stream valley: N 49° 4’ 1’’, E 22° 44’ 41’’