FORESTS IN SLOVAK REPUBLIC, FORESTS IN EUROPE 
Slovak forests constitute habitats for much typical middle European mammalian. Hunting has a long historical tradition. Main species are red deer (exemplar number from hunting statistics is about 40-50 ths), roe deer (80-100 ths) and wild boar (20-30 ths). Abundant are also introduced species such as mouflon (10 ths) and fallow deer (8-10 ths). Small animals represent European hare (150-200 ths) and European rabbit (only about 1 ths.). Feather animals include mainly pheasant (200 ths) and partridge (10-15 ths).
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| Wild boar belong to main hunting game | Roe deer is in Slovakia very numerous |
Populations of large predators, such as bear, wolf and lynx have statistically increased in the last period. According to actual game census in Slovakian forests, there live more than 1000 bears, same number is for wolfs and lynxes. With respect to other rare game species, their numbers inter-annually increased except for capercaillie, whose numbers fell down comparably. Shooting of rare game species (e.g. brown bear, European wolf, or European lynx) is strictly regulated in Slovakia. From 50-60 individuals of bear are planned for shooting every year; only 10-20 were shot. In 2010 there was a significant increase in the chamois numbers (600-700). In central European forests, there is very rarely occurrence a few herds of European bison in open nature.
In 2001, rescue programmes were developed for 2 animal species – Emys orbicularis, and Rupicapra r. tatrica, and supporting material was developed for rescue programmes for 2 animal species - Umbra crameri and Aquila pomarina.
Forests of Slovakia are located in various ecological conditions, which makes the forest very variable, and not only from a diversity aspect. These conditions had created many forest types with its typical vegetation. The main tree species that create altitudinal vegetation zonality are sessile oak, European beech, silver fir, Norway spruce and dwarf pine. In Slovakia, we can recognize eight altitudinal vegetation zones: Oak, Oak-Beech, Beech-Oak, Beech, Beech-Fir, Spruce-Beech-Fir, Spruce, and Dwarf pine.
Sessile oak has its ecological and production optimum in 3rd altitudinal vegetation zone. Sessile oak is followed by European beech, which has its ecological as well as production optimum in 4th altitudinal vegetation zone. However, beech is known for its relatively wide ecological amplitude, thus it can grow quite well on various sites in various altitudes. In some cases, when the particular conditions are met, it can even create a timberline. European beech very often creates forest stands along with silver fir. Though, in contrary, silver fir has significantly narrower ecological amplitude. Norway spruce dominates in higher elevation above sea level, and it is the main species that creates the timberline over the highest mountains in Slovakia. Its production optimum is said to be in the 5th altitudinal vegetation zones, where a length of growing season, sufficient amount of precipitation make the good conditions for spruce to grow very well. At the timberline, Norway spruce neighbours on dwarf pine. It dominates in 8th altitudinal vegetation zone, though it can grow in lower altitude along with spruce, but only sparsely.
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| Spruce forest cover ¼ of all forests, predominantly in northern and high altitude regions | Most abundance has beech, which often reaches good wood quality | Black locust belongs to introduced tree species |
As in other countries, also in Slovakia, there are several species of flora that are endangered and under state protection. Totally, there are about 800 taxons under state protection (according to Resolution of the Ministry of nature conservation of Slovak republic No. 93/1999 Coll. of Laws). Next, endemic vascular plants consist of 220 species. Then, there are 7 species of higher fungi, 140 of lichens, and 95 of bryophytes, which are critically endangered. Endangerment of vascular plant in Slovakia is as much as almost 30 %. In 2001, rescue programmes were developed for the following species of vascular plants: Drosera anglica, Orchis coriophora, Ophrys holubyana, Rhynchospora alba, Lycopodiella inundata, and Scheuchzeria palustris.
The following tree species have been introduced in Slovakia, so far: Douglas fir, black locust, Euroamerican poplar (almost 0,5 %), Grand fir, eastern white pine, red oak, sweet chestnut, horse chestnut, box alder. The most prevailing is Black locust with the proportion of almost 2 %.
