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Europe - Poland
Key habitats: Agricultural land in Poland covers 185,040 km2 and consists of small fields and pastures with trees, bushes, small water bodies etc. Wetlands, such as Biebrza Marshes, and mires total 15,000 km2, whilst woods and forests cover 91,220 km2 and include primaeval European lowland forest in Bialowieza, and remnants of riverine forests. Coastal and marine habitats are important wintering areas for waterfowl and auks. Total bird species recorded: 431 Threats: Significant threats include abandonment and reduction of land management, agricultural intensification, drainage and lowering of groundwater, river regulation and canalisation, construction of dams and barrages, urbanisation and industrialisation, transport infrastructure, intensified forest management. Of medium or local importance are: afforestation, artificial flooding of wetlands, improper/insufficient waste processing and disposal, extraction industries, disturbance to birds through recreation and tourism, hunting and poaching, grass and weed burning, reedbed exploitation and fisheries. Number of National Parks: 23 (totalling 314,532 ha) OTOP manages its own reserve, Karsiborska Kepa, which hosts breeding Aquatic Warblers Acrocephalus paludicola (Vulnerable), waders and wildfowl. OTOP is co-operating with the Ministry of Environment, several NGOs, national parks, local administrations and scientists in developing and implementing an Aquatic Warbler Action Plan, following a national survey of the species in 1997.
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