The Carpathians are a vast mountain range located in Central Europe. They extend in a distinct arc of approx. 1300 km between the Danube Gorge: on the Austrian-Slovak border, to the so-called "Iron Gate" on the Romanian-Serbian border. In terms of nature, this mountain range is distinguished in Europe by the largest area of primeval forests - approx. 300 000 ha. Mountain mixed forests of the Carpathians, the Alps, the Balkans as well as the Caucasus are included in the 200 most important ecosystems in the world listed on the "WWF Global 200" list. The most important feature of the Carpathian chain - from its landscape, through nature, to ethnic groups and cultural heritage - seems to be its diversity. The main key factors shaping the natural value of the Carpathians are the great variety of natural habitats characteristic of mountain areas and the inaccessibility of this area, which means that many places remain nearly natural. The diversity of natural habitats is associated with dynamic changes in climatic conditions along with the height above sea level and the resulting zoning of vegetation. It is assumed that each separate mountain range has its own type of vegetation, and this is also the case in the Carpathians. The Carpathians are also an important refuge for all large carnivores in Europe. Here, the largest mountain populations of the brown bear, wolf, lynx and wildcat have been preserved. The area is also very important for the protection of the Caucasian wisent and chamois.

The system of protected areas has constantly developed and has now become the most important element of nature protection in the world. Protected areas are of a diverse nature and include the ones that not only have natural value, but also are particularly valuable aesthetically, culturally and historically.

Forms of protection in Poland
The law of Poland regulates nature protection via the provisions of the Act of 16th April 2004 on nature protection. Within the meaning of the law, nature protection consists in the preservation, sustainable use and renewal of resources, products and components of nature. The highest form of nature protection is a national park, i.e. "protected area of outstanding nature, scientific, social, cultural and educational values, with the area of not less than 1000 ha, where all nature and landscape values are protected."  There are six national parks in the Polish Carpathians: Babia Góra, Gorce, Pieniny, Tatra, Magura and Bieszczady. They cover many mountain ranges - from Żywiec Beskids in the west, through Gorce Mountains, Tatra Mountains, Low Beskids, to Bieszczady Mountains in the east. They share the mountain location, but they are different in almost everything else.

Forms of protection in Ukraine  
Protected areas in Ukraine are created on the basis of the Act "On the nature reserve fund" (Zakon Ukrainy "Pro prirodno-zapovidnyj fond" - Закон України «Про природно-заповідний фонд») adopted on 16th June 1992 with later amendments. On the territory of national natural parks, taking into account the environmental, health, scientific, recreational, historical and cultural values and other values of natural complexes and objects, their peculiarities, a diversified system of their protection, reproduction and use has been established in accordance with functional divisions.


The natural values of the Carpathians require proper protection by creating a network of protected areas located in the most valuable natural areas. Maintaining the system of ecological corridors that connect these individual areas is also an important aspect. Of course, there is still a lot to be done, because the problem does not end with delineating the boundaries of protected areas - in order to be effective, nature protection must be consistently implemented, and tools must be constantly improved for this purpose. And this thesis is confirmed in the Carpathians - a valuable and highly diversified area, which in many places is exposed to human pressure.

We encourage you to read the following articles:
- The nature protection system in the Carpathians on the Polish-Ukrainian border
- Tourism in the naturally valuable areas of the Polish-Ukrainian borderland in the Carpathians

- Sustainable tourism

- National Natural Park "SYNEWYR"
- National Nature Park "Beskidy Skolskie"
- National Nature Park "Huculszczyzna"

- Magura National Park

- Bieszczady National Park

Pliki do pobrania

the_nature_protection_system_in_the_carpathians_on_the_polish-ukrainian_border.pdf

tourism_in_the_naturally_valuable_aread_of_the_polish-ukrainian_bordeland.pdf

national_natural_park_synevyr.pdf

national_natural_park_-_skole_beskids.pdf

national_natural_park_-__hutsulshchyna.pdf

bieszczady_national_park.pdf

magura_national_park.pdf

sustainable_tourism.pdf