Forest in Poland and Europe. Characteristics and management.

FORESTS IN POLAND Poland is a European leader as far as the area of forests is concerned. They constitute as much as 29,2% of the area of Poland, growing on 9,1 mln hectares. The vast majority of it is state-owned, out of which almost 7,6 mln hectares is managed by the State Forest Department. The volume of forest is still increasing. Woodiness in Poland has been enlarged from 21% in 1945 to 29,2% at present. From 1995 to 2011 the woodiness increased by hectares.

The head manager – is nominated by the Environment Minister – and he is in charge of the whole organization among others by issuing decrees and decisions. Regional Management of State Forest – they ought to oversee smaller entities and coordinate various actions in their regions. Poland id divided into 17 entities. District Forest Managements manage wood resources on the basis of the management plan of a forest. The person in charge is responsible for the condition of forest in his area. Districts Forest Managements are divided into forestries. In Poland there are 430 forestries. MANAGERS OF STATE FORESTS IN POLAND

OUR FOREST DISTRICT MANAGEMENT Choszczno Forest District Management was established on 1 st January 1992 and consists of lands from other Forest Districts (Dobrzany, Barlinek, Drawno and Bierzwnik).

Choszczno Forest District Management is subject to Regional Management of State Forest in Szczecin. It is located in the southern part of Zachodniopomorskie Voivodship in districts Choszczno, Dolice, Przelewice, Suchań and Recz. Choszczno Forest District Management comprises area as much as hectares. Choszczno Forest District Management consists of 8 forestries: Recz, Sławęcin, Bralęcin, Dolice, Moglica, Ziemomyśl, Wężnik, Płotno and arboretum (wood nursery) in Sułkowo.

FLORA AND FAUNA IN CHOSZCZNO DISTRICT FOREST MANAGEMENT 1. FLORA In Choszczno District Forest Management deciduous trees dominate in the area of woodland. The average abundance is 250 cubic metres / hectare. There are such streches : 12 % - new forest 53 % - mixed new forest 15% - mixed new thicket 20 % - the others In Choszczno District Forest Management deciduous trees dominate in the area of woodland. The average abundance is 250 cubic metres / hectare. There are such streches : 12 % - new forest 53 % - mixed new forest 15% - mixed new thicket 20 % - the others FOREST TREES 48 % - pine 8 % - birch 3% - beech 15% - alder 15% - pedunculate oak 1% - unpedunculate oak 2% - spruce 2% - larch 6 % - the others FOREST TREES 48 % - pine 8 % - birch 3% - beech 15% - alder 15% - pedunculate oak 1% - unpedunculate oak 2% - spruce 2% - larch 6 % - the others

Bushes and plants are important elements. There are several species of plants which are under strict protection. Globeflower, common European arum and salep are the most interesting. Pedunculate oak ( Orchis latifolia L. (

The reptiles are: lizards, blindworms and also snakes such as adders and grass- snakes. The popular amphibia are newts, tree-frogs and toads. Stag-beetles and swallow-tails are the predominant insects. The fauna of Choszczno District Forest is rich in animals. As far as the mammals are concerned, there are elks, deer, roe-deer, boars, hares, foxes, raccoon dogs, badgers, martens, minks, polecats and musk-rats. There are also animals which are under strict protection: weasels, ermines and also beavers and otters. As far as birds are concerned, there are such rare species as: ernes, storks, harriers, sparrowhawks, hobbies, corncrakes, barn owls, tawny owls, hoopoes, fly-catchers and orioles. 2. FAUNA

Weasel ( Ernes ( Forest (www. pl.zwierzak.wikia.com/wiki/Plik:Las.jpg)

FOREST DECLINE AND THREATS THAT CHOSZCZNO DISTRICT FORESTS FACE The forests in Choszczno District are under increasing threat from human building schemes. The other serious danger is a small butterfly – Tortix viridana which has its feeding ground in the oaks. The caterpillars of Tortix viridana destroy buds and leaves causing a serious harm to the oaks. Tortix viridana L. Kolk A., Starzyk J.R., Atlas szkodliwych owadów leśnych, Warszawa 1996r.

This species is predominant in central, southern and eastern Europe and also in Asia and Africa. It is common in Poland except for moutainous regions. Tortix viridana Tortix viridana L. - the butterfly and the caterpillar (L. Kolk A., Starzyk J.R., Atlas szkodliwych owadów leśnych, Warszawa 1996 r.)

THE PLACES IN CHOSZCZNO DISTRICT FORESTS WHERE TORTIX VIRIDANA BUTTERFLIES EXIST

LIST OF SOURCE MATERIALS : Kolk A., Starzyk J.R., Atlas szkodliwych owadów leśnych, Warszawa 1996r www. pl.zwierzak.wikia.com/wiki/Plik:Las.jpg W e a r e v e r y g r a t e f u l t o t h e e m p l o y e e s o f t h e C h o s z c z n o D i s t r i c t F o r e s t M a n a g e m e n t f o r m a k i n g m a t e r i a l s a v a i l a b l e. A u t h o r s

AUTHORS : 1. Oliwia Brzezińska 2. Nikolina Mizielińska 3. Wiktoria Talaga SCHOOL : SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL OF NATURE CONSERVATION ZESPÓŁ SZKÓŁ NR. 2 IM. NOBLISTÓW POLSKICH W CHOSZCZNIE I-ST CLASS OF TECHNICAL SCHOOL OF NATURE CONSERVATION