Dolina Żabnika Nature Reserve

Dolina Żabnika is a water nature reserve in the eastern part of Jaworzno, in the Ciężkowice district. It covers the whole valley of the Żabnik stream and has an area of 47.99 ha.

Why a reserve and how it is protected

The valley was placed under protection in 1991 at the request of the mayor of Jaworzno. An ecological site was later designated here, and in 1996 the Katowice voivode recognised it as a partial nature reserve. The founding act gave an area of 42.32 ha, and the reserve now covers 47.99 ha. A buffer zone of 214.03 ha was designated around it, and the area is under active protection. The aim is to preserve, for scientific, educational and landscape reasons, aquatic biocoenoses and low and transitional peat bogs with sites of protected and rare species.

Plants and animals of the valley

In the stream valley there are rare aquatic, peat bog and reed plant communities, surrounded by pine and mixed forests. 363 species of vascular plants and 105 species of bryophytes have been recorded here; 23 plant species are legally protected and 29 are threatened. The species mentioned include round-leaved sundew, bog orchid, Siberian iris, cranberry and mezereon.

The fauna numbers about 100 species, of which 44 are protected, among them the stone loach and the Eurasian minnow.

Nearby

In this part of Jaworzno a visit can be combined with the Gródek Park Arboretum, located about 5 km away.

Practical information

• Location: eastern Jaworzno, Ciężkowice district.
• This is a nature reserve: protective restrictions apply, so before a visit check the rules for moving around on the website of the Jaworzno City Office or the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Katowice.
• Information on access and parking is worth checking before a visit.