Vegetation The flora of Babia Góra was studied as early as 100 years ago by H.Zapalovich , who found the presence of more than 600 species of vascular plants. Currently in the area ofThe park has been confirmed to contain about 500 species of vascular plants, almost 200 species of mosses, and numerous lichens, algae and liverworts. Babia Gora is home to 70 high-mountain species and 54 protected species. Among the peculiarities are deer whorl (which is the park's symbol) and alpine hornwort, which have the only sites in Poland in the park. The Babia Góra massif is a natural model example, showing the storied arrangement of vegetation in the mountains. Under harsh climatic conditions, on poor initial soil, the vegetation stands out for its extraordinary species richness. In the lower reglow (700-1150 meters above sea level) the fertile Carpathian beech reigns supreme, and firs, beeches and spruces reach 40 meters in height and more than 350 cm in circumference. In the rich undergrowth one can often find, among others, bulbous hedgehog and bear garlic. Fir and spruce forests also occur in this floor. Their exceptional value is due to the fact that they are primary forests, never used commercially. In the upper montane (1150-1350 meters above sea level), tall, slender and strongly branched spruce trees dominate. The largest area of the park is occupied by accidophilous West Carpathian upper alpine spruce, as the only ensemble among the forest communities developing in limeless habitats, it forms dense and shady stands. Above the upper alpine level there is a community of Carpathian mountain pine with thickets of rowan and clumps of herbs. The dense belt of dwarf mountain pine (1391-1650 meters above sea level) is interspersed with rock rubble. On the steepest slopes there is a complex of fescue, the only endemic plant complex of Babia Góra. In autumn, the distinctive brown color is given to the grasslands of the alpine floor (1650 - 1725 meters above sea level) by the rush and brown hairstreak. Animals The fauna of the park counts, among others, about 105 species of birds (including an eagle owl, Ural owl, eagle owl, woodpeckers, hala plover and gray-throated owl). In recent years, the capercaillie has become rare. There are many mammals in the park. Deer are numerous. Relatively frequent are insectivorous shrews (mountain, velvet and tiny). Rare include lynx, wolf, bear and small arboreal rodents: coyote, pecker and gizzard. Among invertebrates, the best known are beetles, of which about 1,500 species have been found in the Babia Góra massif, including several endemic to the Western Carpathians. Newts live in small ponds. Fish live only in streams (up to an altitude of about 1,100 meters above sea level). A greater richness of ichthyofauna is encountered only in the valley of the Skawnica River. Material culture and tourism The Babia Gora region is characterized by considerable cultural diversity. Local people have preserved and cultivate numerous traditions. In the immediate vicinity of the park, both on the southern and northern sides, one can admire still preserved traditional architectural forms, as well as objects of daily use. The Babia Gora massif has been a tourist destination since the early 20th century. In 1906, a hostel was built on Markowy Szczawiny, which is still in operation. Tourist traffic in the Park can follow hiking trails from dawn to dusk. The biggest tourist attraction is the peak of Babia Góra - Diablak rising several hundred meters above the neighboring peaks. It is an excellent vantage point for the area from Cracow to the Low Tatras, including the panorama of the Polish Tatra Mountains. A comprehensive monograph on the "Babia Góra National Park" was published in 1983. In the Educational Center at the BPN Directorate, a permanent natural history exhibition and the Babia Góra Plant Garden are open to visitors. Ticket prices: normal - 4 PLN concessionary - 2 PLN
04.07.2013
