Conserve
The Carpathians, particularly the Ukrainian Carpathians, are recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot. This region is home to numerous species and habitats that are either threatened or nearing extinction in the rest of Europe. These include vast natural and virgin forests, intact rivers and wetlands, and large carnivore populations, including bears, lynx, and wolves.
The preservation of the Carpathians for future generations is a key priority for the Ukrainian government, NGOs, and national parks, including the Carpathian National Nature Park. Unlike national parks in many other parts of the world, Ukrainian national parks have a long history of human settlement. More than 35,000 people live in eight towns and villages within the Carpathian National Nature Park. Balancing the interests of local communities with conservation goals, while navigating regulations on land and forest use, makes wildlife and forest conservation particularly challenging.
Biodiversity Assets
25% of animal species
are endemic or endangered​
About 200 vertebrate species and 600 invertebrate species have been recorded.
4% of the total forest area
is covered by virgin forests​
The virgin forests range in age from 170 to 220 years. The three dominant forest-forming species are spruce (79%), fir (4%), and beech (10%) trees.
20% of plant species
are endemic, relic, or endangered​
1,105 species of high vascular plants grow in the Carpathian National Nature Park.
2 wetlands of international importance
including headwaters of the Prut and Pohorilets rivers in the Chornohora Ridge (both are Ramsar Sites) ​
They support 6 plant and 17 animal species listed on the IUCN Red List. Three species from Appendix II of the Bern Convention have also been recorded here. These sites provide habitat for at least 45 endemic plant and animal species and their subspecies.
Understanding the Threats
Human Activity
Human activities are destroying the natural habitats of plants and animals, threatening biodiversity, and ecosystem stability.
Trampling, picking wildflowers, unauthorized harvesting of medicinal plants, grass burning, and hiking beyond designated trails contribute to soil erosion and ecosystem degradation. Additionally, a lack of proper tourist infrastructure makes these problems worse, leading to long-term environmental harm.
Local Livelihood Pressure
Local inhabitants are damaging valuable ecosystems due to their low economic status.
Unemployment, in particular among rural populations and the slow pace of development of entrepreneurship, push local people to leave the region or find income through activities that harm the environment. Some rely on harvesting medicinal plants, while others use off-road vehicles on mountain trails, roads, rivers, and forests, inhibiting the growth of root systems and reducing infiltration of water, which accelerates soil erosion and creates patchworks of stinky swamps instead of thriving ecosystems. Natural resources are being used inefficiently, and as a result, the local population continues to grow poorer.
Climate Change
Climate change is having a serious impact on the region’s flora, fauna, and landscapes.
Mountain peaks that once stayed snow-covered are now often bare. Rain is increasingly replacing snowfall, disrupting the mountain ecosystem. Over the past 30 years, summer temperatures have risen by 1.6°C, while the number of days with extreme low temperatures has decreased sharply, further disturbing the natural balance.
Our Focus at Promocarpathians
Circular Economy
A circular economy will help reduce landscape and habitat disruption, limit biodiversity loss, and improve livelihoods of local inhabitants.
Local natural treasures such as timber, berries, mushrooms, and herbs can be used efficiently and transformed into eco-friendly products, ensuring their preservation for future generations. Traditional practices like beekeeping, sheep farming, and horse breeding can be revived as part of the cultural heritage of local inhabitants, called Hutsuls, supporting both the environment and local prosperity.
Ecosystem Restoration & Wildlife Conservation Programs
These programs will assist in saving one of Europe’s last remaining great wilderness areas.
Nature-based solutions and sustainable management practices are essential for sustained long-term development and livelihoods. By restoring ecosystems, these initiatives will also help prevent and mitigate natural hazards such as landslides, floods, and avalanches, ensuring a safer and more resilient environment.
Climate Change Mitigation
Efforts to reduce threats from climate change will help safeguard the region’s cultural, natural, and economic value and assist in preserving the unique character of the region.
Adaptation strategies and renewable energy solutions will play a key role in maintaining the natural timing of seasonal cycles and protecting species from climate-related disruptions. By reducing environmental threats, these measures will contribute to the long-term sustainability of the region.
Cooperation with Conservation Organizations from Abroad
Collaboration with international conservation groups will bring innovative solutions, successfully used in protected areas across the USA and Europe, that can be adapted and applied to the local context.
Nature knows no borders. Indigenous forests, pristine rivers, endangered wildlife, and endemic plant species are in urgent need of protection. At the same time, local communities are striving for better economic opportunities. Through joint efforts with international conservationists, the Ukrainian Carpathians can be preserved, ensuring the survival of this extraordinary landscape and the unspoiled beauty of our planet.