Introduction

This publication has many potential users: nature conservation service, specialists in spatial planning, scientists who need integrated information on nature, teachers, school children, university students at natural science faculties and other persons engaged in spatial management. All these who care for the natural heritage of our country and the whole continent are invited to make use of this book. It is the effect of work of a group of biologists and geographers co-operating for a couple of years within the CORINE programme.

Why do we consider the natural heritage of Poland in the context of the whole continent?
One motive is that our country is obliged to adjust different sectors of its political, economic and social life to EU standard in view of the future access to the Community. The European approach to nature conservation issues at a national level enables to respect fully biogeographic conditions of a country, as independent of political and administrative boundaries.

Another objective of the work the results of which are presented in this publication is to evolve such methods of integration of data on nature, which would be readable for planners, architects or others whose decisions have important consequences for the nature. This was a main reason for initiating the CORINE programme in Poland in the early nineties.

CORINE (Co-ordination of Information on Environment) programme is composed of many projects concerned with collection and standardisation of information on different elements of man’s natural environment in Europe (Moss et al. 1991). Its aim is to create a database and a system of information circulation, as tools of the common policy for natural resources management in European countries. The CORINE programme goes far beyond the boundaries of EU countries because it is an information basis for two designated area systems in Europe: NATURA 2000 and Emerald, and thanks to its connections with the concept of the Pan-European ecological network.

These initiatives and their mutual relations are discussed in other publications (Zając 1995, Dyduch-Falniowska and Zając eds. 1996). They are mentioned here to show that our publication includes information important for the development of nature conservation in the nearest decade and even longer. That is why the authors are willing to enter into co-operation with everyone who would like to propose well-founded corrections and completions.

Among many European nature conservation initiatives only CORINE is oriented at building of information basis.

It should, however, be stressed that neither this publication nor any other should be treated as a kind of the final report on data integration, or natural inventory because updating of information and improvement of data processing remain crucial tasks. One of the goals of the CORINE programme is to create such a system of information circulation that one could expect all users of space to respect the needs of nature conservation in accordance with the idea of sustainable development.

Following this programme, the new European system of information on nature (EUNIS: European Network Information System) is being created. Acknowledgements: The authors wish to thank Professor Stefan Kozłowski, the President of the Man and Biosphere Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and Dr. Janusz Radziejowski, the Chief Nature Conservator, for their interest and encouragement that contributed much to publishing of Natural sites in Poland. Our special thanks are due to Professor Zygmunt Denisiuk, the Director of the Institute of Nature Conservation in Kraków who helped make the realisation of the project possible, including it into the research programme of the Institute. This permitted the authors to focus their efforts on the elaboration of this publication. We also thank Msc. Grzegorz Zajdel who has recently joined our team for his technical assistance.

Nature conservation and CORINE

As it has already been mentioned, the CORINE programme consists of many projects concerning different elements of the environment: air, waters, climate, coastline, and many others. Three of them: CORINAIR, CORINE biotopes and CORINE land cover were realised in the countries of our region. The two latter are of particular importance for nature conservation. After integration they provide much more valuable information than each of them separately. This publication is an effect of such an integration. We consider helpful for the readers to give here a rough outline of the CORINE biotopes and CORINE land cover projects; more details may be found in the earlier publications concerned with this subject (eds. Dyduch-Falniowska and Zając; Baranowski and Ciołkosz 1997; Dyduch-Falniowska et al. 1998; http://botan.ib-pan.krakow.pl/przyroda/).

The aim of the CORINE biotopes programme was to identify natural sites important for conservation of the whole natural heritage of Europe and to collect data on these sites. The programme was initiated in the EU countries in 1985 (Moss et al. 1991); shortly afterwards Scandinavian countries joined.

In the early nineties the programme was undertaken in Central European countries: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic) and next, in Baltic countries: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. At the end of 1997 EEA decided to provide assistance to Albania, FYROM (Macedonia) and Slovenia, and in June 1998, to Bosnia and Hercegovina. A task of each national team was to create a database; integrated databases from different countries would form the EEA bank of information.

In Poland the project was carried out by a team from the Institute of Nature Conservation of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Kraków. It is now the Polish reference centre of EIONET (European Information and Observation Network). The term "CORINE biotopes" has three meanings.

It is (1) a method of standardisation and integration of data on nature, (2) a database and (3) an information system (recently under the name of EUNIS). The aim of data standardisation is to facilitate a comparison of sites. The unification of definitions and criteria is of fundamental importance here.

The key notions are biotope, site and habitat. Each of them has many definitions, as susceptible to various interpretations.

In this publication they are used in accordance with the CORINE methodology. CORINE biotopes is a set of information about biotopes, i.e. sites holding populations of species which are criteria for identification of sites of European importance. Identification of a biotope in the field makes the delimiting of a CORINE site possible. It has been assumed that a site/biotope is a functional ecological unit. At the realisation of the CORINE programme in Poland site borders were normally delineated on the basis of natural criteria, most often using boundaries of CORINE land cover units.

In the CORINE methodology beside the term "biotope", the term habitat is used. They are sometimes considered as synonyms but in the CORINE biotopes project they have different meanings. A plant or animal biotope is a basis of CORINE site selection.

This is most often a mosaic of different habitats, as described using a habitat coding system: A classification of Palearctic habitats. This system has a hierarchical construction and combines phytosociology, landscape ecology and biogeography (Devilliers, Devilliers - Terschuren and Ledant 1991; Devilliers, Devilliers - Terschuren 1996).

The units distinguished may be: generic habitat types, e.g. forest, non-marine waters, bog; plant communities of a defined phytosociological status, e.g. Molinietum coeruleae; geomorphological forms as white dunes, cliff; hydrological phenomena as springs, water-falls; man-made habitats, e.g. artificial water reservoirs, plantations, villages. Biotope is then a wider notion than habitat in the CORINE programme. For example, a biotope/site may be a mountain range composed of many habitats: forests, glades, bogs, alpine meadows etc., or a river valley comprising such habitats as running and stagnant waters, marshes, aquatic plant communities and others. Sites, i.e. delimited in the field biotopes, are autonomic objects. CORINE site selection is based on the presence of species from the CORINE lists. Their first versions were compiled by an international group of experts on the basis of IUCN (World Conservation Union) lists and annexes to the Bern Convention (Convention ... 1979). A basis for site selection may be also the richness of a site for certain groups of species (e.g. birds connected with water and marshy habitats, butterflies, or orchids), the presence of sensitive habitat types or the richness of a site for a collection of habitat types. The system of CORINE sites should reflect the full biogeographical differentiation of the countries covered by the programme. The gradual expansion of its range (e.g. inclusion of Central European or Baltic countries) required up-dating and completing the CORINE lists.

A site of species/habitat from the CORINE lists may be identified as a CORINE site if it has European importance, i.e. if it is: the location of more than 1% of the European population of a species or habitat from the CORINE lists, or one of 100 or less locations of a species or habitat in Europe; one of five or less locations of the species or habitat from the CORINE lists in the region; one of the 100 most important sites of a species or habitat from the CORINE lists in Europe; one of the five most important sites of a species or habitat from the CORINE lists in the region; one of the 100 most important sites of a species or habitat from the local CORINE lists in Europe; one of the five most important sites of a species or habitat from the local CORINE lists in a region.

Thanks to the coherent methodology of CORINE sites selection, the created databank can be a tool for co-ordination of nature conservation efforts in the whole of Europe. CORINE sites, i.e. sites of European importance differ in size, which depends on ecological requirements of species/habitat that is a criterion of site selection. Borders of sites exceeding 100 ha in area (larger than 100 ha) were digitised. For smaller sites, only their geographical position, as based on geographical co-ordinates, was given. An extensive site selected for species with large home ranges may comprise one or more smaller ones for e.g. vascular plants, or invertebrates. In such a case the large site is named a complex-site and the smaller ones, sub-sites. CORINE land cover project has a similar geographical range as CORINE biotopes. In Poland it was realised by the Institute of Geodesy and Cartography in Waszawa.

A source of data for CORINE land cover were satellite images (made by LANDSAT satellite using TM scanner). Their resolution was 30 m. As a result of the processing of information included in these images, a databank was created in the ARC/INFO system.

In the CORINE land cover project 44 land cover units, the same for the whole of Europe, were distinguished. For the needs of Polish users this number was reduced to 24 (Baranowski and Ciołkosz 1997). The resulting CORINE land cover map was integrated with the distribution of CORINE sites. Integration of the results of CORINE biotopes and land cover, which consisted in linking two information layers, indicates which land uses significantly contribute to the preservation of the natural heritage of Europe. It is the first step towards the integration of information on the most valuable natural sites into spatial planning because land use is a kind of information on which spatial planning is based.


Use of land cover units to delimit sites allows for integration of information on natural sites deserving protection into other economic sectors. Thanks to this nature conservation service will be able to formulate conservation proposals important for preservation of the natural heritage (biodiversity) in a way and "language" readable for other sectors. Sources and precision of data LANDSAT satellite images were a source of data for the CORINE land cover project. It has been assumed that images represent the state of 1992. Atmospheric conditions in that year precluded, however, making of images for the whole of the country.

That is why in some cases images made on earlier dates, including one from 1989, were used. In the CORINE biotopes project data from many years were used, though the authors attempted to collect information as fresh as possible.

The oldest records date from the fifties and the most recent, from 1994. The first were used when more recent information was not available and simultaneously the biotope of a species still existed. The authors made use of many sources: published material, unpublished documentation collected by different scientific institutions and provincial nature conservators or other nature conservation services. A base of information sources includes over 1500 records. It is available at the Department for Integration of Data on Nature of the Institute of Nature Conservation PAS in Kraków, on the same conditions as the Databank of CORINE sites in Poland (1997).

The working scale of 1:100 000 was accepted in both projects. This scale is sufficient for the undertaking of strategic decisions (e.g. concerned with a general outline of NATURA 2000 system, or identification of ecological corridors) in the field of nature conservation. For the implementation objectives (e.g. identification of the NATURA 2000 elements, or optimisation of the course of expressways), larger-scaled maps should be used. The map contents The map includes the following thematic layers: land use according to CORINE land cover, natural sites of European importance, boundaries of national and landscape parks. The map was made in Gauss-Kruger’s projection and the '1942' horizontal co-ordinate system. Land use was shown using 24 land cover categories. As compared with the original list of these units, their number was reduced. This generalisation was necessary in view of the scale of the map. Sites were arranged on the map from the west to the east and from the north to the south, in accordance with geographical co-ordinates of their central points, and marked with successive numbers. Some sites have a character of complex-sites comprising sub-sites. The latter were designated with respective complex-sites numbers and letters (e.g. 442a, 442aa, 442b etc.).

In few cases of large-area sites consisting of separate fragments or divided by a sub-site, each fragment was individually marked (with the same numeral). Boundaries of national and landscape parks (their list is given as Annexes 1 and 2) are also shown on the map to enable a rough estimate of the compatibility of the system of sites important for the preservation of the natural heritage of Europe with these two categories of designated areas in our country.

The scope of information on a site The list of natural sites in Poland includes also their simplified description. They are described using symbols and codes. Information about the site includes: number of the site on the map, name, surface area, type, motives of identification, internationally recognised status, information on the number of key habitats, and presence of species and habitats covered by Habitats Directive (Council Directive ... 1979) and Birds Directive (Council Directive ... 1992). Information was so prepared that it would be readable for an average user.

A prerequisite for the proper perception of the publication is very careful examination of explanations and legend. Site number Arabic numerals were used to denote single sites and complex-sites, while sub-sites are marked with numbers and letters.

The sequence of sites in the list corresponds with their numeration. Site name Names of sites were largely based on geographical or administrative names, so as to be easily found on the commonly used maps. The authors attempted to include in the name general information on the ecological character of the site. Names of designated areas were avoided so as not to suggest that the site is tantamount with a nature reserve, a national park etc. Area Site area was given in hectares. Sites covering more than 100 ha were digitised and their area was estimated using ArcView interface.

The surface area of sites smaller than 100 ha was often difficult to assess (more detailed maps were lacking) and may be treated only as a rough approximate. In case of such sites as caves, underground passages, buildings (churches, bunkers etc.) with bat colonies, sites of Dendrocopos syriacus in urbanised area, or White Stork colonies in villages (farmland), area was not given. In this last case the delimiting of ecological unit is difficult and its size depends on a changing model of land use within the feeding grounds of a given colony. Moreover, it is not easy distinguishable in the environment.

Type Types of sites are correspond with the main (generic) categories of habitats, as distinguished in A classification of Palearctic habitats (Devilliers and Devilliers-Terschuren 1996) which is one of the key elements of EUNIS (European System of Information on Nature). They are as follows: C – coastal habitats and marine waters, G – unique geological forms, L – forests, M – natural and semi-natural grassland, R – agricultural area, T – wetlands: bogs, marshes, vegetation of banks of freshwater bodies, W – inland standing and running waters, Z – built-up, and other artificial area. The type of a site determines the biotope of species/habitat that was a criterion of site selection. If the site comprises a mosaic of biotopes, given are those, which cover the largest proportion of the surface of the site. Motives The field "Motives" is used to show which wildlife groups, habitats, or other natural qualities constituted a basis for including the site in the CORINE biotopes inventory.

The original CORINE list of motives includes 22 categories. This list is somewhat simplified. If a site selection was based on: one or more species from the CORINE lists, the field "Motives" comprises at least one of symbols denoting flora, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds,White Stork colonies, mammals, bat colonies, or fauna; plant community or association of European importance, motive is denoted with a symbol for communities; vulnerable, disappearing, or threatened habitats (e.g. riparian forests, bogs, marshes, xerothermic grasslands), a symbol for habitats was used; unique configuration of the area, or presence of certain unique geomorphological features (like karst phenomena, dunes etc.), a symbol for geomorphology was used; landscape of a natural character, or harmonious spatial composition of natural and anthropogenic elements, forming a kind of a functional ecological unit, a symbol for landscape was used; an archeological/paleontological station, the field "Motives" includes a symbol for paleontology/archeology.

Obviously, many sites have more than one motive of selection. Having information on motives and data on site type, one may tell which components of the environment are of the greatest conservation interest. Key habitats Some categories of habitats have unique value because of a limited range, specific ecological requirements, or great sensitivity to human impact. This group comprises habitats of endemic species, endemic plant communities, communities with exceptionally rare and threatened species, habitats connected with unique geomorphological forms. These habitats should be given a special care. The presence and approximate number of key habitats in the site was indicated using symbols in the appropriate field.

Status Many CORINE sites include areas of already recognised high natural value. They are objects of interest and care of naturalists, as part of different systems of designated areas. In the field “Status” only the most important international categories (biosphere reserves, wetlands under Ramsar Convention and IBA - important bird areas) and national parks were shown.

The field "Status" may comprise the following designations:
RB - biosphere reserve;
PN - national park;
PNp - national park is part of a site;
PNf - site is part of a national park;
R - Ramsar site;
IBA - Important Bird Area according to Grimmett and Jones 1989;
IBA* - Important Bird Area (Grimmett and Jones, 1989) whose European importance was not confirmed by Gromadzki et al. (1994), or which was neglected in this report;
(E) - bird area of European importance, as proposed by Gromadzki et al. (1994) but not included in the elaboration by Grimmett and Jones (1989).

NATURA 2000 - species and habitats
Two fields are used to describe the site as a potential element of NATURA 2000 network. They provide information on the presence of species or habitats, as covered by Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats of Wild Fauna and Flora (Habitats Directive) and Directive and Resolution of the Council of the European Community on the Conservation of Wild Birds (Birds Directive). Sites holding plants, animals and habitats under Habitats Directive may be selected in future as Special Areas of Conservation, while sites supporting birds under Birds Directive, as Special Protection Areas. Generalised information on the presence of species from Annexes II and IV to Habitats Directive and Annexes I and II to Birds Directive is included in the field "NATURA 2000 species" in the form of symbols already used for "Motives". For example, presence of Emys orbicularis is marked with a symbol for reptiles, and that of Aldrovanda vesiculosa with a symbol for flora.

Information on habitats listed in Annex I to Habitats Directive is given in the field "NATURA 2000 habitats" using symbols indicating the approximate number of these habitats. Natural sites in Poland: their number and character CORINE databank provides information on 956 sites. Its updating may change this number. It seems, however, that the number should be somewhere between 900-1000.

A precise estimate of the total area of sites is impossible because of difficulties in the delimiting of some types of sites (e.g. for White Stork colonies, or Dendrocopos syriacus). Altogether the sites identified so far, including not delimited sites whose area is a rough estimate (as based on the knowledge of the biology of species) cover nearly 20% of Poland and this part of the country is a potential component of the coherent conservation network in Europe. Distribution of sites of European importance in Poland is uneven, as influenced by at least three factors: the nature of some regions that have for ages remained under the strong impact of human activity is strongly degraded; it happens, however, that some man-made habitats are important elements of the natural heritage of the country; the scientific knowledge of the country is patchy; there are regions that have been thoroughly investigated for many years, others have only recently been covered by research programmes; different is activity of nature conservation service in particular administrative units which is reflected in the amount of available information on nature.

The identified in Poland sites of European importance differ greatly as to size, biodiversity, state of preservation, naturalness etc. Some sites were selected on the basis of only one criterion, e.g. the presence of a bat colony, while others have been identified on account of many natural elements, e.g. raptorial birds, endemic plants, sensitive habitats etc. Despite these differences all sites are important for preservation of the natural heritage of our continent and they should be an object of care for nature conservation service. Natural sites remain under the influence of different types of human activity. Tourism and leisure affect most of them Particularly affected are sites where visitors appear in masses and practise sports burdensome for the nature. Many sites are under the impact of forest management and this activity results in considerable transformations of natural systems. Other activities pursued in CORINE sites are farming, pisciculture, angling, pasturing, extractive industries.

Larger sites often comprise in their borders human settlements, usually scattered buildings but also villages and linking them transport routes. An important factor affecting the majority of sites is detrimental activity in adjacent areas and long-range emissions. Human activity does not necessarily threaten the nature, it may even locally increase biodiversity through creating and maintaining of new habitats. It becomes a danger when its intensity exceeds certain difficult to assess level of ecological resistance of natural systems (e.g. tourist capacity of a site, or self-purification capacity of waters). Identification of such forms of human activity, which would be compatible with specific conservation needs is now considered by naturalists as a challenging task. It is tantamount to integration of nature conservation into different economic sectors, education and cultural life. According to CORINE methodology sites of European importance are selected on the basis of natural criteria as ecological units, irrespective of their legal, or formal status and ownership, while creating of designated areas is an effect of legal and administrative procedures, so their borders are often inconsistent with boundaries of natural units. One site often comprises protected (e.g. national, or landscape park) and unprotected area. Nature reserve is a category of designation most often encountered in CORINE sites. There are a relatively large number of unprotected sites, particularly smaller ones. Unprotected are e.g. small natural enclaves holding rare species, like bogs, or lobelia lakes, or man-made habitats such as buildings and underground passages with bat colonies, fishponds etc. If they are sites supporting protected species they should be within the competence of nature conservation service by virtue of the Decree on Species Protection. An analysis of the character of CORINE sites shows that also farmland, wasteland and even urbanised area, or derelict industrial may be of conservation interest. Notes on the spontaneous occupation of such habitats by plant and animal species, even rare ones, are becoming more and more frequent. Such sites should be used for ecological education of local communities and become objects of their care. Contemporary nature conservation goes beyond the scheme of strict protection of selected areas and often little efficient species protection. It is now clear that the whole space used by man should be somehow protected. This idea is a basis of the Pan-European strategy of biological and landscape diversity (1996). One of its objectives is establishing of the Pan-European Ecological Network. Material compiled in the presented publication will be used for building of this network.

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Prepared by: School team MAR