Vihorlat

In this area, the beech forests grow on soils of volcanic origin with andesite bedrock, and on nutrient-rich soils. Situated in the central part of this area is Lake Morské oko, the ‘Eye of the sea’. Together with hardwood species like sycamore and ash, the beech here also forms the so-called ‘scree forests’.

• UNESCO recognition: 2007
• Protected area: Vihorlat Protected Landscape Area
• Beech forest region: Carpathian
• Area: 1,553 ha, buffer zone 854 ha
• Number of component parts: 1
• Altitudinal range: montane to high montane (400 – 1,200 m above sea level)
• Fauna: Brown bear, Wolf, Lynx, European wildcat