Chorna Hora Reserve

Chorna Hora Reserve is a protected botanical area on a volcanic mountain range in the Carpathians, where different forest types grow including oak, beech, and hornbeam trees. The reserve covers forest slopes with natural mountain vegetation and acts as a refuge for uncommon plant species.

The area became a protected botanical reserve in 1974 and was later incorporated into the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve in 1997. This integration linked it to a larger network of protected mountain areas across the region.

Scientists and researchers from multiple institutions conduct regular studies on the mountain's ecological systems, contributing to environmental protection strategies.

Access to the reserve requires advance permission from management authorities and visitors must follow specific guidelines. It is important to check requirements before planning a visit and stick to designated areas.

Some sections of the forest remain untouched by human activity and develop naturally, giving researchers direct insight into how mountain forests work. These undisturbed areas reveal natural forest processes that are hard to study elsewhere.