FORESTS IN POLAND AND EUROPE. CHARACTERISTICS AND MANAGEMENT.

Kampinos National Park

Location The second largest Polish Park was founded in 1959, covering the area of 35721 ha, of which 75% is taken by the forests, 15% by the arable land, 3% by the waters and swamps. It compises a fragment of the Kampinos Forest lying in the progracial valley of the Vistula.

Landscape The characteristic feature of the landscape is the strip configuration of the dunne lying evenly witch a parallel of latitude, with height of 12-20m separated by swamp depression. Among the best preserved inland dunes in Europe there are deep synclines and deflationary basins, which contain small lakes, swamps and peatbogs.

Flora The dunes are covered mainly by pine forests, with the driest cup-moss forests as well as swamp and mixed forests. There are few deciduous species, some of deciduous trees can be found in small patches of oak woods and forests growing on dry ground. The non-forest plant communities are strongly represented by grass meadow rush, moss-sedge and water communities.

Fauna The fauna compises about 5000 species. The worth mentioning ones are the elk (Alces alces) restored here since 1951 – the symbol of the Park and the beaver (Castor fiber). There are about 160 species of birds here, including the lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina).

Our impression Landscape of Kampinos National Park is characteristic for the whole of Mazovia . It is dominated by two contrasting elements - sand dunes and marshes . In Kampinos National Park you can go many hiking and cycling paths that are extremely popular. We really like this national park because of the diverse natural environment and many typical for European forests animals.

Słowiński National Park

Location The Park comprises a unique seaside area with wandering dunes and with 4 shallow littoral lakes : Łebsko, Gardno, Dołgie Wielkie and Małe, which are separated from the sea by the Gardeńsko – Łebska Spit. In 1977 UNESCO recognized Słowińskie Coast National Park as the world relict of biosphere.

Flora The flora of the Park comprises 830 species of vascular plants, there are here species connected with the sea – coast zone, e.g. the Paltic rush and the toad–flax. The greatest peculiarity here is the sea–holly (Eryngium maritimum).

Fauna The most precious fauna group are birds (about 250 species). To the rarest ones belong : the herring gull (Larus argentatus), the sheldrake (Tadorna tadorna), the golden eagle (aquila chrysaetos), the eagle owl (Bubo bubo), the white – tailed eagle (Haliaetus albicilla).

Our impression We think that Słowiński National Park is a great reason to visit this part of Poland. It’s a refuge of preserved unchanged, beautiful coastal lakes, moors, meadows and seaside unspoilt forests, and most of all, shifting sand dunes. Sightseeing is possible through a network of hiking and biking trails, as well as educational natural pathways.

The End Julia Sosnowska Jakub Krupa Karolina Florczak Thank you for watching our presentation. Authors: Sources: Book „Polish National Parks” Wydanie II poprawione. https://www.google.pl/imghp http://slowinskipn.pl/pl/porady-dla-zwiedzajacych.html Julia Sosnowska Jakub Krupa Karolina Florczak