Location
"Torfowisko pod Zielencem", taken under strict protection as a nature reserve, lies in the Bystrzyckie Mountains, in the Klodzko Valley, near Zieleniec and Dusznik Zdroj. The peatbog is located at the altitude of 750 m. a.s.l. The Dzika Orlica river, which flows from the refuge, carries waters to the North Sea, whereas the Bystrzyca Dusznicka flows to the Baltic.

Special Value
Torfowisko pod Zielencem is an active raised bog. It is the most interesting part of Bystrzyckie Mountains in terms of biology and landscape - a fragment of the biggest peat bog complex in Polish Sudety Mountains. There are many relict stands and protected plants. It is also a place of occurrence of endemic species of fauna and flora. Torfowisko pod Zielencem is famous for outstanding landscape values.

Landscape and Climate
Scientifically estimated age of Torfowisko reaches 7600 years. In a depression, on waterproof ground made of gneisses covered with sand marls, developed a peat bog. Vast areas overgrown with clumps of cottongrass, sedges, peat mosses, with birches and pines sticking here and there at the edges - reminds an image of thundra. Spruce forest surrounding the area completes this northern-like landscape.

Growth of a peat layer is a constant process, slower at the edges of peat bog and faster in the central part. In result there occurs a lenticular elevation. Cracks on the center of elevated mass were filled with water, forming reservoirs of different sizes, called "jeziorka" (little lakes). The whole area comes across as wild, exotic place with specific vegetation. This impression is made even stronger by characteristic smell which spreads over the peat bog.

Climate of the refuge is strictly bound with its location. Local atmospheric conditions can be described as extreme. Annual amount of rainfall is more than 1300 mm. Average temperature throughout a year is only +4ºC. Morning ground frosts are common here even in summer.

Ecosystem
Composition of the ecosystem is relatively poor. Although peat bogs are naturally not biotopes with large number of species, protected and rare species make quite a high percentage of all creatures living here.

Among types of natural habitats important for Europe which are mentioned in 1 Appendix of the Habitats Directive we can find here:

• active raised bogs
• transition mires and quaking bogs
• depressions on peat substrates of the Rhynchosporion

Flora and Fauna
The whole area can be divided into two vegetable complexes - cluster-type and valley-type. The cluster-type complex is never flooded and dominated by peat mosses - on the whole these areas are dryer. There are some interesting plant species here: dwarf birch - a postglacial relict, together with longleaf pine represent subarctic flora. Common plants are peat mosses, common cranberry, cottongrass - sheathed and common, sundews - common and great, northern bilberry, cowberry, crowberry, fewflower sedge, wild rosemary, bog rosemary. Cluster are overgrown with dwarf mountain pine.

Valley-type complexes, where peat mosses are often under water revealing little water holes, are overgrown with sedges: flea, bog, fewflower and slender and white beak-sedge. Dwarf birch also occur here. Edges of the place are surrounded by cluster of dwarf mountain pine and spruce wood.

The fauna is relatively poor. Mammals are represented by deer, roe-deer, mouflons. Bird species deserving special attention include birds meadow pipit, black grouse and western capercaillie. From species mentioned in European directives we can find here white and black storks.

Among reptiles there are common viper and sand lizard. There are much more insects. Due to inaccessability of the area rare and endemic species could survive here. Stands of brimstone, unique in the country, as well as stands of a few species of spiders have been recorded here. Over the surface of the peat bog dragonflies float in the air. In strongly acidified waters (ph. 4.0-4.6) there live only a few species of insects, among which we can find Micrasema.

A bit of history
"Topielisko" (Deep Waters), which is a historic name of Torfowisko pod Zielencem, has been existing for many generations. Initially it used to arouse fear and respect. First records of attempts to use peat and waters from the peat bog date back to the beginning of the 18th century. First attempt to exploit the peat bog was made about 1750 and it proved fruitless. 40 years afterwards a causeway was built which divided the peat bog into two parts. As a result the southern area of the peat bog was drained and consequently replaced by a forest.

Attempts to excavate pit were then continued but peat's quality was not good enough. At the end of the 19th century first scientific researches were carried out and efforts to take the area under legal protection initiated. In 1919 a nature reserve, one of the first in Germany, was established here. Between the wars the area was expanded from initial 85 ha (topielisko) to 218 ha (topielisko together with "Czarne Bagno" - Black Marsh). The terrain was adjusted to the needs of tourists and scientists. Paths and viewing platforms were built. After the war a comprehensive scientific research was conducted, after which in 1954 on area of 123 ha "Torfowisko pod Zielencem" nature reserve was established.

Threats
A main threat is gradual drying and overgrowing of the peat bog. On banks of a basin higher and higher trees grow, which radically change the landscape. Tourist traffic is not a serious threat to the peat bog since it is held on marked roads, paths and footbridges.

Protection of nature
"Torfowisko pod Zielencem" nature reserve encompasses areas of Topielisko and part of Czarne Bagno - total area of 123 ha. Currently there are efforts to take the whole area under protection. An educational path is marked out through the reserve, which shows important aspects and issues of life on the peat bog.