The East Carpathian Biosphere Reserve and Poloniny

The East Carpathian Biosphere Reserve is situated in eastern Slovakia at the junction of political boundaries of three European countries - Poland, Slovak Republic and Ukraine. In terms of geography and ecology, its territory corresponds with the important transition between the West Carpathian and East Carpathian geosystems and ecosystems, which is clearly reflected in the distribution of plant and animal populations and in the overlapping biotic communities. The transboundary interconnection of the Carpathian scenery found adequate expression in the establishment of large-scale conservation areas in all countries concerned, and in 1990 led to unification of these areas under the umbrella of UNESCO's biosphere reserves.

Conservation areas in the East Carpathian Biosphere Reserve (198 081 hectares):
Slovakia - Narodny park Poloniny (29 805 ha).
Poland - Bieszczadzki Park Narodowy (27 064 ha), Cisniansko-Wetlinski Park Krajobrazowy (46 025 ha), and Park Krajobrazowy Doliny Sanu (36 600 ha).
Ukraine - Uzanskyj Nacionalnyj pryrodnyj park (39 159 ha) and Nadsanskyj Regionalnyj landsaltnyj park (19 428 ha).

The border ridge with Poland, mostly along the Bukovske Hills, dominates the landscape. Its altitude ranges between 797 m and 1 208 m along the boundaries between Poland, Ukraine and Slovakia. From the main west-east ridge, several smaller mountain ridges stretch southwards. Velky Bukovec (1,012 m) is the highest of these. The variety of elevations and relief of the Bukovske hills is emphasized by several more or less distinct ridges - such as Maly Bukovec (830 m), Prikry (952 m), Stinska (1 092 m), Kusalata (917 m) - separated by valleys (Ruske, Runina, Nova Sedlica, and Ulic). The lowest point of the Bioshere Reserve (200 m) is in the Ulicka valley where the Ulicka River flows out of Slovakia. The western part of the Biosphere Reserve is within the Laborecke Highlands (600 to 800m's). Their relief reflects relatively late development and the resistance and structure of their bedrock.

Unique fauna is composed of all native big predators like the brown bear, wolf, lynx and golden eagle, as well as all big native mammals like the European bison, red deer and reintroduced primitive Hutzul horse and beaver.

The area preserves rural and sacral wooden architecture.

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