UNESCO/Toson-Khulstai Biosphere Reserve
Puszcza Kampinoska
General information
Located 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.Â
Detailed information
Key data
Year of nomination
2000
Country
Poland
Total population
91822
Area
Surface
70,604.00 ha
Total terresterial area
70,604.00 ha
Location
Latitiude: 52.33 - Longitude: 20.59
Contact
Ecological Characteristics
The Biosphere Reserve is located in a ice marginal valley (maximal width – 16 km, total length – 35 km) parallel to theVistulaRiver. Its borders are determined by; from the north – theVistulaRiver, 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 Lasica Channel (the central watercourse of the Biosphere Reserve) and from the east urban areas ofWarsaw. 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 theAtlantic 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-Economics 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 Lomianki, the development of which is strongly connected to the vicinity of Warsaw and its location along an express road, and two ofWarsaw’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 inKampinosNational 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.