CHANGES IN THE WOODINESS OF RURAL AREAS IN POLAND IN THE YEARS 1995-2016

Abstract

The paper presents changes in the woodiness of rural areas in Poland in the years 1995-2016. The analysis was based on the Annual Geodesic Reports and the National Land Register. It was found that as a result of mainly afforestation of agricultural land and wasteland, the woodiness increased from 28.4% in 1995 to 30.6% in 2016. The rate of changes was spatially diversified, both at the level of voivodeship and communes. Studies have shown progressive spatial concentration of forests in rural areas of Poland. A particularly high share of forest was observed in communes with a high woodiness index.