Biological environment in Poland

1. WOLIN
NATIONAL
PARK
Group 6

2. LOGO

3. Location
Wolinski National Park is located at the
mouth of the Oder River, in the North-
Western Poland (Szczecin voivodeship),
close to the Polish-German border. It
protects highly valuable north-western
part of the Wolin Island.

5. History
The Park was established in 1960 on the area
of 4844 ha. It was extended in 1996 by
incorporating 1 nautical mile broad belt of
Baltic coastal waters in the north and delta of
the Swina River. Inclusion of the part of the
Pomeranian Bay and inner salt waters of the
Szczecin Bay has made the Wolin National
Park the first maritime park in Poland. The
total area of the Park today is 10 937 ha, of
which forests covering 4530 ha (41%). 6
forest communities of a total area of 165 ha
(1,5%) are under strict protection.

6. Geography
The landscape of the Park varies greatly,
including its characteristic element: 15 km
long and up to 95 m high cliffs. Storms,
wind and sun contribute to the cliffs'
erosion. As a result they recede
approximately 80 cm per year. The
altitude within the Park is from 0 to 115 m.
Moraine hills predominate in the relief,
covering approximately 75% of the Park
area.

7. Beach and cliff in the Wolin
National Park

8. Waters
Waters, apart from forests, are predominating
ecotypes of the Park. The northernmost part comprises
a belt of Baltic Sea coastal waters and the western part
- delta of the Swina River. The delta is a complex of
water-muddy islands, separated by channels with
variable direction of flow and water level, and
periodically overflown (especially during back flow,
when Baltic waters, piled up by northern winds flow
into the Szczecin Bay). The picturesque panorama of
the delta can be admired from the top of Zielonka hill.
The Park forests hide 4 post-glacial lakes:
Warnowskie, Rabiąż, Czajcze and Domysłowskie, and
artificial lakes: Turkusowe (Turquoise) and Stara
Kredownia.

9. Turquoise lake

10. Vegetation
Over 1300 vascular plant species have been recorded on the
Wolin Island. Many of the species are rare and protected, such
us sand binders: sea-beach sandwort, lyme grass, sea rocket,
spiny saltwort, and salt water plants - halophytes (about 30
species). Steep slopes of the cliffs are densely overgrown by
common sea buckthorn. Ground and sandy bed of the Baltic
Sea is a habitat of macroalgae: green algae, brown algae and
rhodophytes, of which the most frequent are bladderwack and
chlorophyte Entetromorpha intestinalis. Inland areas of the
Park consist mainly of moraine hills covered with beech-pine-
oak forests. The most dominant tree species is though pine,
which overgrows 68% of the inland Park area. Beech and oak
cover respectively 23% and 7%, and other tree species the rest.

11. sea-beach sandwort

12. Fauna
The fauna of Wolin is very differentiated and richly
represented by rare species. The main flyway of birds along
the Baltic coast crosses the island. Over 230 bird species have
been recorded within the Park, of which breeding: white-
tailed sea eagle, aquatic warbler, dunlin and red-breasted
flycatcher.
The park is particularly important for preserving habitats of
waterfowls, for which it provides peace and feeding grounds,
especially during spring and autumn migration. One of the
recent projects is reintroduction of eagle owl. Stations of the
largest Polish beetle - stag beetle, are examples of the rich
insect world. 3 new for science species - beetle Teredus opacus
and two species of springtails have been designated within
Park borders. Waters of the Pomeranian Bay are biotopes of
many species, particularly fish, and sea mammals becoming
more and more rare - grey seal and harbour porpoise.

13. An eagle owl
A stag beetle

14. Tourism and culture
The turbulent history of Wolin has led to its cultural diversification.
Traditional ties with the sea are though extremely strong (fishing
culture, trade). Within the Park and in the neighbouring areas one
can find remains of strongholds and other places of historic
settlements, which are both subject to scientific research and tourist
attraction. Tourism is a vital part of activity in the Park. The tourist
infrastructure is well developed and comprises educational -
historical centre (under equipment), European bison breeding
centre, 4 observation points, 3 parking areas, network of tourist
routes (combined length approximately 46 km) and educational
trails. Turkusowe lake with its specific colour of water, Zielonka hill,
European bison breeding centre and observation points Gosań and
Kawcza Góra are among especially frequently visited places. Grave
dangers to the Park nature are ways, railways connecting the Port of
Swinoujście with other regions of Poland, power lines and a gas
pipeline. The Park has its own periodical Klify (The Cliffs), where
results of its own research as well as scientific description of
preservation work in the Park are published.