Belovezhskaya Pushcha / Białowieża Forest Belarus

Belovezhskaya Pushcha / Białowieża Forest - Belarus

Short Report

Situated on the watershed of the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea, this immense forest range, consisting of evergreens and broad-leaved trees, is home to some remarkable animal life, including rare mammals such as the wolf, the lynx and the otter, as well as some 300 European Bison, a species which has been reintroduced into the park.

Wide Report

The Białowieża primeval forest is the last remaining primary deciduous and mixed forests of the European lowlands. Located at a turning point in the Baltic and the Black Sea, this huge forest composed evergreens and productive closed broadleaved forests trees is home to some remarkable flora and rare and interesting mammals. The park consists of about one-tenth of the entire Białowieża primeval forest, which has a wide range of flora and fauna characteristic of both Western and Eastern Europe. The park protects a part of the last and one of the largest remaining areas of European primeval forest lowland mixed forest: pine, beech, oak, elzen and pines. The forest dating from 8000 V. CHR and is the only remnant of the original forests that once covered much of Europe.

These wilderness areas are inhabited by European bison, a type in the park in 1929, elk, deer, roe deer, wild boar, lynx, wolf, fox, marten, badger, otter, ermine, beavers and many bats. It is also a reserve to see tarpan (Polish wild forest horse). The avifauna includes corncrake, white-tailed catfish eagle, stork, peregrine falcon and eagle owl.

Located in the transition between the boreal and temperate zone in the south-west White-russia , on the border with central Poland, the site contains elements of northern and southern flora. Almost 90% of the park is covered with old 'growth' virgin stands of mixed productive closed broadleaved forests and pine forests. More than 900 vascular plants species are listed, including 26 trees and shrubs 138 species. Almost two thirds are indigenous with the remainder anthropogenic introductions.

Białowieski National Park is the oldest national park in Poland and one of the oldest in Europe. It was founded as 'Reserve' forestry in 1921 but officially established as a National Park in Białowieża in 1932. In 1947 it was restored as the Białowieski National Park. At one time the property of Polish kings, the Białowieski Forests have survived in an almost unaltered form. It is without doubt the most valuable natural area in the European lowlands.

Source:whc/unesco