Location
The primeval forest of Kampinos is located in the icemarginal valley of the Vistula river in the western part Warsaw valley. It is surrounded by the Kutnowska, Lowicko-Blonska, Warszawska and Wolominska plains. The forest lies in the vicinity of the big city – Warsaw. This location has a great influence on its ecosystem.

Landscape
The relief of the terrain has been created during the last glaciation by the water from the melting glacier. The changes in the shape of the river-bed resulted in creation of the small islands and sand-banks which changed during the ages into dunes. Some parts of the river have been isolated from the main stream during this process which led to creating marsh lands.
 

Ecosystem
The climate of the Kampinos forest stays under the influence of the continental and sea climate. The vicinity of the Vistula river and of a big city – Warsaw is also a factor influencing the climate of the forest.
The average yearly temperature equals 7,8^oC, and yearly rainfall amounts to 530 mm. A characteristic feature of the Kampinos forest weather are frequent periods without wind.
Two rivers flow through the forest of Kampinos – Vistula and Lasica. Moreover there are also numerous lakes and water reservoirs in this province.
 
Flora
The terrain of the Kampinos Primeval Forest is characterized by a great diversity of plants. Around 118 plant assemblies have been found there.
You can find mixed forests on the dunes. The species characteristic for such forests are for example: pines, pendunculate oaks, sessile oaks and European white birches. In underbrush grow such plants like: Dyer’s greenweed, German greenweed, Feather reed grass, Bracken fern, Viper’s grass, Stone bramble, Lily of the valley.
Along water-courses you can find alder carrs and ash-elm forests. There are also soppy meadows in the marshy parts of the forest.

Fauna
The fauna of the Kampinos Primeval Forest is not well known. It is presumed that only 20 % of all species inhabiting the forest are known to us. Invertebrates are a group least known to scientists. 13 new invertebrate species have been found in the Kampinos forest. There are also 28 protected and 22 endangered invertebrate species inhabiting this forest. The most numerous groups are insects (2045 species) and arachnids (390 species).
Thanks to its diversified ecosystems the forest is a great habitat for birds. 153 bird species are nesting within the borders of the Kampinos primeval forest. The most precious species inhabiting this part of Poland are endangered birds: Corncrake and Aquatic warbler, moreover there are other rare species living in this region, like: Bittern, Little bittern, Stork, Black stork, Marsh harrier, Montagu’s harrier, Honey buzzard, Lesser spotted eagle, Spotted crake, Crane, Black woodpecker, Syrian woodpecker, White-backed woodpecker, Middle spotted woodpecker, Grey-headed woodpecker, Wood lark, Tawny pipit and many others.
52 species of inhabit the forest of Kampinos. 3 species have been reintroduced to the forest: elk, beaver and lynx.

Protection
Kampinos National Park was established in 1959 on the area of 38 544 ha. There are 22 areas of strict protection  within its borders.
In order to protect the nature in the Kampinoski Primeval Forest elk, beaver and lynx have been reintroduced to their habitats. Moreover the environmentalists planted anew yews and Polish larches. As a mean of protection of rare plants like Anemone pulsatilla, Snowdrop anemone, Purple viper’s grass and Yellow foxglove their seeds are collected and planted in controlled conditions. Afterwards they are re-planted in their natural habitats.