Polana

Haymaking

We would like to introduce Bio-

sphere Reserve Poľana, which joined UNES-

CO Programme Man and Biosphere in 1990.

Biosphere reserves – Reserves of biosphere

(BR) are an example of sustainable living,

acceptable balance and mutual relation-

ship between human beings and nature.

Four areas in Slovakia – Slovak Karst, Poľa-

na, East Carpathians and High Tatras were

aknowledged as biosphere reserves with-

out legal establishment and delimitation

within the Programme UNESCO Man and

Biosphere. Certificate is awarded by UNES-

CO International Coordination Committee

in Paris. Currently, there are 621 biosphere

reserves in 117 countries over the world.

Due to lack of understanding of the mis-

sion and importance of BR, they are per-

ceived as another type of a protected areas

with related restrictions and prohibitions.

However, biosphere reserves, „reserves of

biosphere“, are not protected areas. They

are model areas, where protection of nat-

ural values is supported by management

of the area. At the same time, the manage-

ment should safeguard certain support

for those working in the area. Reserves of

biosphere are areas, where nature offers

sources, which are used by humans in a

way which supports maintenance of the

source.

Dear visitors,

Hriňovské lazy

Hriňovské lazy

BR Poľana is made of three zones: core zone

– 6 nature reserves, which are set aside

for long-term protection in harmony with

nature conservation; buffer zone, where

activities that are compatible with nature

conservation aims should be realised; and

transition zone where processes of sustain-

able management of natural sources are

carried out and developed. Hriňovské lazy

were added to the transition zone in 2014

as an example of traditional management,

but mainly as an opportunity to save them.

BR should fulfil certain functions – protec-

tion, logistic (research, education) and de-

velopment. Protection function is fulfilled

by tasks related to PLA Poľana, which was

established in 1981 with the aim to protect

anorganic, plant and animal communi-

ties as well as a unique landscape charac-

ter. Size of the area is 20 360 ha. Research

is realised by scientific institutions. One of

the priorities of BR is education of young

generation and their relation to nature

values. Development function, represent-

ing a support of the inhabitants, is a chal-

lenge to keep humans in the nature and

to save traditional management at Poľana.

Currently, new model of BR Poľana man-

agement is being developed, which should

bring new challenges, opportunities and

principles for the region of Podpoľanie.

Change in the perception and attitude of

all who live and work for the reserve is a

priority. Coordination Committee, which

will manage area of BR Poľana has been

established. Representatives of self-gov-

erning region, land users and landowners,

entrepreneurs, foresters, farmers, culture,

education and research institutions should

be members of the Committee. Only a cor-

rect communication, hard work and respect

can help those that live in BR. Wisdom –

appreciation, simplicity (without unnec-

essary legislative obstacles) and finances

can really contribute to the development

of the area biosphere Poľana Reserve.

Visit Biosphere reserve

Poľana and reveal its beauty!

We wish you have

many experiences from

the richness of nature,

that has been topped up

by the value added

by our ancestors.

Vrchslatina

Seed beating

Ploughing

The zonation of Polana Biosphere reserve

0 3 6 9 121,5 Km

Detva

O ová

Hrocho

Strelníky

Dúbravy

SVM50 © Úrad geodézie, kartografie a katastra SR, 2000, .040/010205-AGTematické spracovanie © ŠOP SR, Správa CHKO Po ana, Zvolen, 2014

Legend:PLA Polana

Core area

Buffer zone

Transitional zone

±

Hri ová

ierny Balog

Sihla

Poľana is the highest volcano

mountain in Slovakia. The whole rtange

is part of Carpathian arch. There are tech-

nophiles as well as mountain plant and

animal species on a relatively small area

due to its protrusion to south and altitude

range of almost 1000 m (the lowest point

is 460 m and the highest is 1458 a.s.l.).

Spot height Hrb (1255 a.s.l.), which

is at its north edge of Ľubietovský

Vepor is geographic centre of Slovakia.

A unique geological and geomorphologi-

cal character of this area is a result of vol-

canic activity in the period 13 – 15 millions

years back. The range was formed during

four periods of volcanic activity, when

periods of lava springs (andesits) were re-

placed by periods of volcanic ash and dust

explosions (ash rocks) and other periods

that interrupted these newly created geo-

logical layers. Large lava volcano was forms

in the last period. It buried all products of

previous volcanic activity by a layer of lava

flow and created the final form of Poľana.

Caldera, cauldron sink, was created as a

result of erosion and decrement of the

central part. It is 6km in diameter in N to

S direction, it has 20 km circumference,

800m in depth and it is 30 km2 large.

NatureIts geology and geomorphology for-

mations were reasons for establish-

ment of some small scale protected

areas. These are rich in rare plant and

animal species, ecosystems as well

as interesting landscape structure.

There are around 1220 higher plant spe-

cies in BR Poľana, 80 of them are pro-

tected. 390 mushroom species, 160 li-

chens, 130 mosses. Animal kingdom is

rich as well, 278 chordates, 222 of them

protected species. Birds and mammals

dominate. Non chordata are represent-

ed by many of Carpathian endemics.

Forests cover 85 % of the area. Large beech

forests, fir-beech forests and hillside forest

communities are typical for Poľana. They

have primeval forest character at places.

Oak-beech and beech-oak forests can be

found in lower areas, on south-west side,

where many tree species are present.

Beech and fir-beech forests are the larg-

est. They grow to awesome sizes due to

favourable conditions of rich soils. Apart

from main tree species – beech and fir,

there can also be found species like spruce,

acer, ash. Beech tree reaches up to the

ridge at the south slopes. Yew tree is rare.

Common sundew

Bug moss

NM Jánošíkova skala

Poľana forests

Areas that were deforested long time ago

are represented today by communities

of meadows and pastures, which also en-

compass peat lands and meadows rich in

groundwater. Mountainous and sub-alpine

species of grass are typical. Rock communi-

ties increase overall biodiversity of the area.

Thanks to high habitat biodiversity the rep-

resentation of non chordata is very rich as

well. Many of them are endemic, rare and

threatened.

There are 11 species of amphibians. Open

areas are ideal for reptile species. Birds have

also a rich representation here, 180 species

can be seen in areas around. The richness

of bird species as well as presence of many

species of European importance, made

Poľana a Special Protected Area within NAT-

URA 2000 network.

Poľana is a home to large carnivores as well–

wolf, lynx and bear. Most of the river cours-

ers are enjoyed by otters

The are was designated

a Protected Landscape

Area in 1981.

Scarce Large Blue

Red deer

Bush cricket Rosalia longicorn

Brown bear

Huma Area of BR Poľana has belonged to the least

urbanised protected areas in Slovakia up

until 2014. There were only three parishes

(Iviny, Snohy and Vrchslatina) with typical

low key settlement (overall only 400 perma-

nent inhabitants).

Since 2014 Hriňovské lazy belong to the

transition area. It is a mosaic of small strips

of land, interlaced by meadows and pas-

tures at former arable land, lanes, some-

times overgrown by hip-roses, sloes and

wild cherries. Horses and traditional farm-

ing tools are used in this area. Character of

this landscape is highlighted by traditional

wood houses, barns, potato cellars, paint-

ed wooden crosses and other folk art. Scat-

tered settlements were created in Hriňová

due to difficult accessibility of arable land.

Resting

Field work

Scything

s

Sheep grazing at Poľana

Traditional architecture

at Hriňovské lazy Family at work

Individual farming units were created,

which were far apart from each other.

Arable farming was a main income. Ani-

mal breeding, especially cattle and sheep

farming, forestry, charcoal burning was

important as well. Hriňová cadastre was

not influenced by collectivisation during

communist era, unlike many other. Thanks

to this fact it could keep a unique land-

scape character as well as various forms of

management. Podpoľanie is a picturesque

land in the middle of Slovakia, known by its

virgin nature, original folk art and live tradi-

tions and poetic Detva. It belongs to a very

attractive, but little known region. Anyone

who visited it once, likes to return again.

Region of Podpoľanie has not got precisely

marked geographic and administrative- le-

gal borders. It is an area dominated by mas-

sif of Poľana and made of little villages and

towns at its foothill, as if laid down in the

arms of Poľana. They belong together and

create a sense of unity. Following towns

can be found in the vicinity of BR: Hriňová,

Detva, village Dúbravy, Očová, Hrochoť, Ľu-

bietová, Strelníky, Povrazník, Osrblie, Sihla.

These are distinctive villages and towns

with interesting history and culture. Every

town and village offers many cultural and

sport events and activities for the visitors.

Cattle market

Haystacks at

Hriňovsko

Senníky

Autor: P. Albert

Young people at Hriňovské lazy

Seed beating

Contact:PLA-BR Poľana Administration

J. M. Hurbana 20, 960 01 Zvolen

tel.: 045/533 48 34, tel./fax: 045/533 36 57

e-mail: chkopo@sopsr.sk

web: www.chkopolana.eu

Text: V. Fabriciusová, V. Hrúz, P. Potocký

Photo: P. Potocký, I. Rybár, P. Albert, V. Vician, V. Hrúz, J. Bariak,

Rastislav Očenáš

Author of the map: V. Hrúz

Year: 2014