Poland - Country Profile

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Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

Poland’s biodiversity is among the richest in Europe. This is a reflection of both favorable natural conditions (location at the centre of the continent, lack of natural barriers to the east and west, transitional climate, diverse geological structure and relief), and an influence of human activity that has taken a different route to that seen in other European countries (uneven industrialization and urbanization, retention of traditional extensive agriculture over large areas and the extent and historical persistence of forests). As of 2005, there are 23 national parks, 1395 nature reserves, 120 landscape parks and 449 protected landscape areas in Poland, covering a total of 32.5% of the country’s territory. Yet the global trend in regard to biodiversity loss also occurs in Poland. About one third of the country’s mammals are threatened with extinction. Changes in the Polish mammal fauna consists of, population decline on the one hand, and the arrival of new alien species that threaten indigenous species on the other. Those species include the racoon dog and the American mink. Furthermore, population numbers and number of occurence sites of most amphibian species have declined all over Poland.

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

The national protected area network of Poland includes 8711 sites covering a total area of 10,175.9 thousand hectares, or 32.5% of the country’s surface area. The network is as follows: 23 national parks on 317,400 ha (1% of Poland); 1395 nature reserves on 165,200 ha (0.5% of Poland); 120 landscape parks on 2,516,900 ha (8% of Poland); 449 protected landscape areas on 7,044,500 ha (22.5% of Poland);The Natura 2000 network includes: 184 proposed habitat Natura 2000 sites (SACs) on 125,800 ha (3.6% of Poland) 72 bird Natura 2000 sites (SPAs) on 3,312,800 ha (7.8% of Poland)

115 documentary sites on 700 ha (0.01% of Poland); 6421 ecological lands on 44,500 ha (0.1% of Poland); 188 nature-landscape complexes on 86,800 ha (0.3% of Poland).

Percentage of Forest Cover

Forest cover: 9,000,000 hectares or 28.8% of Poland.

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

Poland’s overriding objective states that all actions taken should preserve the full native wealth of its natural resources and the safeguarding of the continuity and possibilities for development at all levels at which it is organized (within the species, between species, and above the level of species). The four fundamental strategic activities are: the recognition and monitoring of the status of biological diversity and the existing or potential threats; the removal or limitation of current and potential threats to biodiversity; the preservation and/or enhancement of existing elements of biodiversity, and the reinstatement of those that are disappearing; and the integration of actions for biodiversity conservation with emphasis on those of importance in the sectors of economy, public administration and society in general. The operational activity is divided into sectoral targets. Environment, water management, agriculture, construction planning and housing, tourism, education, science, transport, economy, and national defense constitute most of the sectors involved.

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

Poland states that several national strategies and sectoral plans comprise targets related to the conservation of specific species and sustainable use of biodiversity. For example, there are provisions concerning the necessity for preserving old, traditional varieties of crop plants and livestock animal breeds and extensive forms of farming in a number of documents. Conservation of natural habitats is particularly related to the EU Habitat Directive being implemented in Poland.

Initiatives in Protected Areas

The objective of covering one third of the Polish territory with legal protection has been achieved. However, the national parks and nature reserves (meant specifically for biodiversity conservation) only cover 1.5% of the territory. The protected landscape areas, a rather non-restrictive form of protection, cover 22.5% of the country. It is assumed that 12-17% of Poland (including areas already covered with legal protection) will be included into the Natura 2000 network. Within this framework will lay the potential for conservation of habitats, declining at a European scale, to considerably grow.

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

The State supports development of indigenous communities by transferring power to the community, district, and provincial levels which makes it possible for locals to participate directly in making local laws, development and implementation of plans and strategies pertaining to their place of residence. Regional public initiatives are more and more involved in the protection of natural and cultural values of the region and in the search for solutions for making such protection possible. In addition, Poland has signed, in 1998, the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters. The Convention provisions have been introduced first into the Environment Protection Act.

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