Sycamore old-grow forest in the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve

The most valuable forests for conservation are virgin forests and similar quasi-virgin forests and natural forests, as well as old-growth forests of natural origin. Virgin forests, quasi-virgin forests and natural forests were formed without significant human influence and have become benchmarks of well-preserved forest ecosystems and centers of biodiversity. They are a natural laboratory that can provide answers to the question of what forestry close to nature should look like. They are home to most rare species, plants, and animals that cannot exist in managed forests or forests of artificial origin.