Tatra

The main objective of the reserve is to protect the alpine character of the highest range in the Carpathian Mountain chain. The Tatras cover five climatic zones including plants from lower montane forests, subalpine forests, dwarf mountain pine, alpine grasslands and sub-nival. A variety of natural features are represented within this reserve, such as karst topography with dolomites and limestone, canyons and waterfalls, a dwarf pine belt, alpine meadows, lakes and rocky peaks.Among the nearly 1,300 species of plants in the Tatras, the most valuable are 27 endemic and sub-endemic species. There are also numerous relics of Pliocene and glacial flora. Plant species include the European beech (Fagus sylvatica), the mountain pine (Pinus mugo), the highland rush (Juncus trifidus) and theOreochla disticha.Numerous animal species are found in the reserve, including the largest European predators: the European brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos), the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) and the European wolf (Canis lupus lupus). High-altitude species such as the marmot (Marmota marmota), the snow vole (Chionomys nivalis) and the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) can also be found. Since 2000, the Chamois population has increased by almost 850 due to the efforts of the Tatra Chamois Rescue Project.