Ochrona bioróżnorodności Puszczy Białowieskiej w kontekście dynamiki naturalnych i sztucznych zaburzeń

The paper presents the issue of conservation of species diversity of the Białowieża Forest in the context of both natural and human−related disturbances. These disturbances, in the authors’ opinion, were the main factor that shaped the unique species diversity of this area. Examples of natural disturbances occurring in the Białowieża Forest include the impact of wind, insect outbreaks and, to a lesser extent, fires. On the other hand anthropogenic disturbances are related to various forms of forest use, which historically took place here, i.e. grazing by domestic animals, beekeeping, charcoal production, and recently also forest management. Currently, in the situation of rarity and unpredictability of natural disturbances, as well as due to a significant decrease in human impact on forests of the Białowieża Forest, there is a risk of decrease of biodiversity, which is related to the process of natural succession, homogenization of the forest and the decline of favourable habitats for the development of some organisms. This particularly applies to the so−called ‘open forest’ species that are dependent on sunny places in forests. Historically these species found favourable conditions in the Białowieża Forest in many sites, where traditional forms of forest use took place, but also in areas used for traditional forest management. At present, it is necessary to adapt forest management on the one hand and nature conservation on the other, in order to meet the requirements of diverse groups of organisms, both requiring passive as well as active methods of conservation. The authors postulate the necessity of introducing a diverse conservation strategy in the Białowieża Forest.