Plants and Animal
Poland’s forests are controlled by conifers, which are particularly vulnerable to acid rain and other forms of air pollution, many of them are now considerablely damaged. The spruce forests of the Sudety have been particularly affected by ecological damage. A large portion of Poland’s forest growth has also been destroyed to create farmland, and reforestation levels are currently very low. This combination of factors has made Poland’s forests among the most vulnerable in Europe.Poland’s wildlife is of limited mixture. Although most species are found in other parts of Europe, Poland is home to a number of species that are absent or rare elsewhere. Those animals include chamois, lynx, wildcat, elk, boar, and deer. Bison, as well as a rare breed of pony, are preserved in the world-famous Bialowieza National Park, which straddles Poland’s border with Belarus. Wolves and brown bears survive in the higher mountains, and elk, deer, and mouflon -wild sheep are fairly numerous in the lake districts. Grouse, heathcock and black stork inhabit Poland’s grain-producing areas, lakes, marshes, and forests.