All the above-mentioned elements of the geographical environment significantly influence the plant cover and the animal world. Poland lays in a zone of mixed forests, although species of coniferous trees dominate as a result of human activities. Most species of plants are so called transitional species which commonly occur in neighbouring countries. The fact that for many species of plants and animals the boundary of the range of extent goes through the territory of Poland is associated with the transitional nature of our climate.

Forests cover 28% of the territory of Poland. This figure is lower than the European average which is above 30%. The distribution of forests on the territory of the country varies from region to region. In some of the western voivodships (for example Zielona Gora) the forests cover almost 50% of the territory, while in many central ones only 10%. These are mostly pine forests, growing on podsolic soils.

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