Białowieża Forest—A Relic of the High Naturalness of European Forests

Białowieża Forest, spanning nearly 12,000 years with continuous forest cover, stands as Europe's most extensive and natural lowland forest, exhibiting minimal anthropogenic influence throughout its Holocene history. Palynological, archaeological, and historical data confirm its high degree of naturalness, preserving stands from the pre-silvicultural period. Unlike other European forests, Białowieża's resilience stems from its long-standing protection, allowing even silviculturally altered areas to recover naturally. The study highlights the need for a non-intervention management approach in the Polish part of the forest to stabilize the ecosystem and enhance adaptation to environmental changes. This would solidify Białowieża's role as a critical open-air laboratory for biological, ecological, and forestry research.

Jaroszewicz, B., Cholewińska, O., Gutowski, J. M., Samojlik, T., Zimny, M., & Latałowa, M. (2019). Białowieża Forest—A Relic of the High Naturalness of European Forests. Forests, 10(10), 849. https://doi.org/10.3390/f10100849