Skole Beskids National Nature Park


Skole Beskids National Nature Park covers the Skole Beskids Range of the Carpathian Mountains on the western edge of Ukraine. It was created in 1999 to protect the beech and beech-fir forests of Carpathians, and to provide for environmental, ecological, aesthetic, educational and recreational uses. The park is in the administrative districts of Skole, Drohobych, and Turka in Lviv Oblast.

Topography

The terrain is mountainous, with the park divided into the valleys of both the Stryi River and the Opir River. Altitude above sea-level is 600 to 1,260 meters. The highest point in the boundaries is Mount Parashka. The mountain range runs northwest to southeast, with peaks formed by river cuts between them.
The geology of the range is deep-sea sedimentary rocks of the Cretaceous and Paleogene ages - known as flysch - composed of sandstones, siltstones, argillites, limestones, and marls.

Climate and ecoregion

The climate of Skole Beskids is Humid continental climate, warm summer. This climate is characterized by large seasonal temperature differentials and a warm summer (at least four months averaging over, but no month averaging over. In the park, the average temperature in January is, and in July. Average precipitation is per year. There are frequent thaws in the winter, and average snow depth is.

Flora and fauna

Most of the site is forested, on gravely soils. The highest altitudes are spruce-fir-beech forest, much of it over 100 years old. Over 635 species of vascular plants have been recorded in the park, 204 vertebrate animals, 18 species of fish, 9 amphibians, 6 of reptiles, 121 species of birds, and 50 of mammals.

Public use

Historically, the area has been known for health resorts and tourism, due to the mild climate and outdoors activities. The park continues this today with over 20 recreation and boarding houses in its territory. Services offered by the park include horse excursions, ecological tours, and guided tours up Mount Parashka.