Biodiversity in the the Biebrza river valley in Poland
The case study region is the Biebrza Valley, particularly two Natura 2000 sites there, that is “Dolina Biebrzy” (SCI, PLH200008) and “Ostoja Biebrzańska” (SPA, PLB200006). The valley and its wetlands are partly located in the Biebrza National Park in northeastern Poland, in the Podlaskie Voivodship. The two Natura 2000 sites cover 148 508.8 hectares. This natural and semi-natural wetland complex gained popularity for its unique wilderness: a number of rare, often endangered, bird species and their habitats, and other flora and fauna species.
The Biebrza Valley is one of the largest wildlife refuges in Europe. Local stakeholders identified biodiversity and traditional local scenery as the most important public goods of the region. They chose them because they coexist inseparably and face similar risks. The region was included in protected Natura 2000 area, because it hosts a number of habitats listed in the EU Habitats Directive and Birds Directives with highest priority of conservation. The two identified public goods – biodiversity and scenery – are largely located on private land (Natura 2000). Abandonment of traditional agricultural practices and subsequent intensification of agricultural land use have led to the decline of both of them.
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Stakeholder Portal
Here you find outcomes of the participatory workshops and material in national language.
- Katarzyna Zagórska
Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw