Nature reserves

Small-area protected territories

The progress of human society and the gradual disappearance of last untouched parts of nature resulted

in a need to protect the most valuable parts before its irreversible destruction and damage. This fact was first realized at the end of 19th century when the first two protected areas in Slovakia (at the time Slovakia was a part of Austria-Hungary) were declared in 1895. One of these areas (nature reserve Príboj) was situ- ated right here in Nízke Tatry Mts. In 1928 and 1929 large nature reserves Svätojánska dolina valley and Demänovská dolina valley were declared in the district of Liptovský Mikuláš. Most of the protected areas were declared after the creation of Nízke Tatry Mts. National Park in 1978. Nowadays there are 10 national nature reserves, 13 nature reserves, 2 national nature phenomena, 4 nature phenomena and 4 protected areas.

NATURA 2000 on the area of the Nízke Tatry Mts. National Park

NATURA 2000 is a European network of protected sites which represent areas of the highest value habitats and species of plants and animals which are rare, endangered or vulnerable in the European Com- munity. The NATURA 2000 network includes two types of areas: special protected areas – SPAs which are classified under the Birds Directive (Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds) and special areas of conservation – SACs which are designated under the Habitats Directive (Council Directive

92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora).

In 2003 two special protected areas were designated on the territory of the Nízke Tatry Mts. National Park: The Special protected area Nízke Tatry Mts.: the entire area lies in Nízke Tatry Mts. National Park and

its buffer zone. This area is one of the three most important areas for breeding of 7 species in Slovakia (criteria K1 – Aquila chrysaetos, Tetrao tetrix, Tetrao urogallus, Picoides tridactylus, Aegolius funereus, Glaucidium passerinum and Bonasa bonasia).

The Special protected area Veľká Fatra Mts.: this area extends into the buffer zone of the Nízke Tatry Mts. National Park and it is one of the three most important areas for breeding of 4 species in Slovakia (criteria K1 – Falco peregrinus, Bonasa bonasia, Caprimulgus europaeus and Picoides tridactylus).

In 2004, 22 special areas of conservation covering 90 766.31 ha (224,000 acres) were nominated in the national park.

Natura 2000 reserves

Protected areas