Overview of Polish botanical studies in the Eastern Carpathians and the role of the Bieszczady National Park in protecting plant diversity

Polish scientific studies on the flora and vegetation of Eastern Carpathians started about 150 years ago. Researches were focused on the northern part of the range. Results of studies made until 1939 created good basis of botanical knowledge. After Word War II and political changes only a small part of Eastern Carpathian was left in Poland, namely the Western Bieszczady Mts. Detailed studies of these mountains resulted in foundation in 1973 of the Bieszczady National Park, which main object was to protect very interesting and particular vegetation cover together with rich forest fauna, especially of large mammals. Now Bieszczady National Park is a unique place in Poland where rich flora and vegetation with Eastern Carpathian elements is protected