Bialowieza Biosphere Reserve

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, inscribed 1976, in Poland. Most of the biosphere reserve is covered by oak–lime–hornbeam forest, Tilio-Carpinetum, a high-value forest habitat for nature protection in the temperate zone. The majority of forest habitats protected by law on both sides of the border exhibit a primeval character, which gives the biosphere reserve exceptional value. Moreover, a great deal of dead wood present in each habitat type provides a very specific and unique microhabitat for numerous species, most of them endangered, threatened or rare. Despite relatively good knowledge of Europe’s biological diversity, new species of fungi or invertebrate fauna are discovered in the Białowieża Forest almost every year.