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Puszcza Kampinoska Biosphere Reserve, Poland

ocated in the European lowlands in the north-east of Warsaw and parallel to the valley of the Wisla River, this biosphere reserve is characterized by a high diversity of lowland habitats with dune belts separated by swamp areas and a mixture of forest types (bog-alder forest, ash-alder flood plain forest, pine-oak mixed forest and low oak-lime-hornbeam forest).

The abundance of natural habitats allowed the successful reintroduction of elk (Alces alces), European beaver (Castor fiber) and lynx (Lynx lynx). The core area of the biosphere reserve includes the strictly preserved areas within the administrative boundaries of the Kampinos National Park. 

Designation date: 2000

Networks

Regional network:  EuroMAB

Ecosystem-based network: 

  

    Description

    Map

    Surface : 70,604 ha

    • Core area(s): 4,636 ha
    • Buffer zone(s): 28,212 ha
    • Transition zone(s): 37,756 ha

    Location: 52°14' to 52°26'N; 20°12' to 20°57'E

    Administrative Authorities

    Kampinos National Park
    Tetmajera 38
    05-080 Izabelin
    Poland

    Tel: 0-48-22-7226001
    E-mail: dyrekcja@kampinoski-pn.gov.pl

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    Ecological Characteristics

    The Biosphere Reserve is located in a ice marginal valley (maximal width – 16 km, total length – 35 km) parallel to the
    Vistula River. Its borders are determined by; from the north – the
    Vistula River, from the west – the Bzura river (a tributary of the Vistula), from the south – the watershed between the river basins of the Utrata river and Łasica Channel (the central watercourse of the Biosphere Reserve) and from the east urban areas of
    Warsaw. The area is characterized by a high variability of relative altitudes and the situation of basic ecosystem forms in parallel belts.

    The area of the Biosphere Reserve is located in the transitional zone between the
    Atlantic and continental climate zones, which causes a high diversity of temperatures and precipitation. It is also highly differs from the surrounding areas and is strongly diverse within its limits. The average yearly temperature for this area is 8,0ºC.

    Socio-Economic Characteristics

     

    The area of the Biosphere Reserve is inhabited mainly by farmers. The average size of an individual farm is approx. 5 ha. The main urban centers are Łomianki, the development of which is strongly connected to the vicinity of Warsaw and its location along an express road, and two of
    Warsaw’s communities: Bielany and Bemowo. The society inhabiting the Biosphere Reserve is characterized by a decreasing birth rate, tendency to migrate, mostly from the interior of the reserve and a tendency to urbanize the eastern and northern outskirts of the reserve.

    Several different types of tourism are allowed in
    Kampinos National Park: hiking, bicycle riding, cross-country skiing, horse-back riding, recreation – picnics, camping. The park offers a network of 360 km of marked hiking trails and 200 km of bicycle trails. The approx. 300 km long network of horse-back riding trials is currently in the process of being determined. Within the buffer zone of the biosphere reserve fishing is allowed in two locations in course of special individual permits.

     

     

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    Last updated: May 2019