Forest resources

Szprotawa Forest District includes 18 030.38 ha of forests. Most of the forest habitats located within the Forest District are mixed forests with Pine as the most common species. Average age of forest resources is 58 years and average yield is 237 cubic metres per 1 ha.

Forest cultivation

The most fundamental aim of forest cultivation is to preserve and enrich the existing forests (restocking) and to create new forests (forestation), with respect for natural conditions and processes. Forest cultivation includes collecting and keeping tree seeds, growing seedlings at nursery farms as well as starting, maintaining and protecting forest crops and tree stands.

Forest protection

Knowledge of natural processes occurring in the environment and controlling the condition of the forest enable foresters to diagnose any hazards that can have negative impact on the forest in advance. Every year efforts are made to protect sustainability of the forest and improve its natural resistance to harmful factors.

Forest use

Forest use means making use of its resources – acquiring timber, harvesting fruits of the forest, plants and their parts for pharmaceutical industry, selling Christmas trees, mining and many others. Foresters provide the society with access to all those resources without endangering of their sustainability.

Forest management

Forest economy of the State Forests is executed in accordance with forest management plans prepared for Forest District Inspectorates every 10 years. Forest Management Plan is executed in accordance with instructions published by the State Forests.

Hunting

Forests are inhabited by about 60% of all 618 species of vertebrate living in Poland. Development of civilization has upset the ancient equilibrium and rules that govern forest ecosystems, which also affects the life of forest animals. This is why their number, welfare and activities aimed at preventing damage caused by animals are regulated by Polish and EU law.

Supervision of non-state forests

Within the area of Szprotawa Forest District there are also forests managed by other owners.

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Forests of our Forest District

Forests of our Forest District

Szprotawa Forest District Inspectorate includes two Sub-districts – Szprotawa and Małomice – and manages a total area of over 19 000 ha. Its share of forested areas is only 28.2% making it the lowest ratio in the entire Regional Directorate of the State Forests in Zielona Góra. Forests managed by the Inspectorate include forests maintained for industrial purposes, protected forests and reserves.

Landscape of the Forest District is very heterogeneous.The area of Szprotawa Sub-district and the southern part of Małomice Sub-district is quite monochromatic, whereas the northern part of Małomice Sub-district is known for its undulating landscape (end moraine) at places turning into hills.

Geological structure

The Forest District is located within the area of Middle Polish Glaciation, in Mazovia-Podlasie Stadial.It is dominated by geological deposits originating from the Tertiary and the Quaternary, such as:fluvioglacial sands and gravels, river sands and gravels and boulder clay and sand.

Types of forest habitats

Forest habitats of the Forest District consist mainly of mixed and coniferous forests, with a small share of riparian forests and alder forests.Pine is the most common tree and the entire forest ecosystem consists in 60% of this species.The second most common species is Oak followed by Alder.

Plants and animals

Forests of Szprotawa Forest District are home to a variety of plant and animal species, including those under strict and partial protection.There are over 20 protected plant and lichen species in the District, including:Common Cottongrass, Common Toothwort, Marsh Gentian, Purple Foxglove, Yellow Iris, Stiff Clubmoss or Usnea Filipendula.

Forests of Szprotawa Forest District are inhabited by many protected animal species. By Jerzy Wilanowski.

Mammal species includeWild Boar, Roe Deer, Deer, Fox, Raccoon Dog, Badger, Marten and Hare.Forests of Szprotawa Forest District are also inhabited by rare invertebrate species, including 9 species included on the Polish Red List of Animals.The species are:Medicinal Leech, Great Capricorn Beetle and Lucanus Cervus.

Apart from the protected invertebrate species there is a large number of amphibian and reptile species.The most interesting species includeViviparous Lizard, Smooth Snake and European Tree Frog.

Birds inhabiting the district also include many rare and endangered species:Black Stork, Whooper Swan, Wood Sandpiper, Eurasian Pygmy Owl, Boreal Owl and the pride of the District – White-tailed Eagle.

White-tailed Eagle hunting. By Bergringfoto/Fotolia

Szprotawa Forest District on the map.