What the students learned from the national park rangers Juraj Ksiažek and Ivan Karkošiak.
The High Tatras, the heart of the Slovak mountains, are home to unique species that evolved here in isolation from the rest of Europe. In the subalpine and alpine zones, where the forest gives way to higher elevations, we find two iconic inhabitants: the Tatra chamois and the Tatra marmot. Both species have lived here for at least 10,000 years and are considered Tatra endemics—you’ll find them only here and nowhere else in the world. It is precisely at this time of year that marmots emerge from their six-month hibernation and appear in the spring meadows. However, their population has been declining sharply over the past 10 years. In some areas, they have already disappeared completely.
Rising temperatures are the main problem
According to experts, the main reason is a sudden rise in temperatures. The vegetation reacts quickly – slopes that were once open are now overgrown with deciduous shrubs and trees such as birch. Marmots are animals adapted to open areas and rely on their sight. Where they do not have a good view, they do not feel safe. Young chamois are born from mid-May to mid June. That is why access to some valleys and peaks is closed during this period, to give the animals the peace they need during this critical time. From fall through the end of May, trails that are otherwise accessible to hikers in the summer are closed. The park ranger, who has worked here for 40 years, observes the most significant changes in the vegetation: the rocks are still being shaped by wind, rain, and frost, but the changes aren’t as rapid as those in theplants. Slopes that were once bare are now overgrown.
New home of the baevers
Beavers – 40 years ago, there were none on the Slovak side of the High Tatras. They first appeared around 2006, but only for a few days. Today, they have settled here permanently, hibernating and raising their young here. Beavers are controversial because they cause problems wherever they settle near people. They are a conflict-prone species with a positive impact.
The Cottage at the green lake has its own turbine, which the beaver liked so much that it dammed the stream near the bridge, thereby flooding the turbine used for power generation. However, beavers also have a positive effect on the landscape. In the forest, they create new wetlands that serve as shelter for amphibians, insects, and birds. At the same time, they retain water in the landscape, which is important during dry years.
Land Management and Nature Conservation
The valley was used for economic purposes for 700 years—timber was harvested here. After the 2004 storm, the forest was cleared and new trees were planted, but with a different species compositionmore deciduous trees than just spruce. The entire national park is divided by law into five protection zones, with the strictest criteria applying in the fifth zone, where we are located.
