Kemy Rymańskie

The Natura 2000 “Kemy Rymańskie” area is a special habitat preservation area with the area of 2,644.8 ha. It covers a vast area of forests, meadows, and arable lands, which connects the ecological corridor of the valley of the Mołstowa River with the corridor of the Dębosznica and Błotnica Rivers. The area is characterized by a considerable natural diversity. 15 habitats from Annex I of the 92/43/EWG directive can be found there. There is vegetation of a high level of naturalness, including beautiful fragments of oak forests, marsh forests, and riparian forests.

The area is very diverse in terms of the lay of the land. The post-glacial kame hills distinctly stand out, towering up to 35 metres above the surface of the surrounding depressions. The elevated areas are covered by forests, mostly acidic oak forests with the abundance of old-growth trees. Some specimens exceed 4 metres of circumference, and the largest tree has the circumference of 610 cm. Blue whortleberry, common bracken, and feather reed grass grow in large quantities there. The areas located lower are covered by marsh flora and riparian forests, swampy meadows, wet-ground forests, and reeds. In some places, mid-forest raised bogs, seepage spring areas, and small lakes can be found. The largest body of water is Lake Kamienica, located in the eastern part of the area. Kemy Rymańskie is also an important habitat for amphibians, such as European fire-bellied toad and northern crested newt. Also, predatory birds, such as lesser spotted eagle and red kite, have their nesting grounds there.