| Iucn Category: | II |
| Designation: | National Park |
| Uzh National Nature Park | |
| Alt Name: | Ukrainian: Ужанський національний природний парк |
| Map: | Ukraine Zakarpattia Oblast#Ukraine |
| Relief: | 1 |
| Coordinates: | 49.0233°N 22.6°W |
| Location: | Zakarpattia Oblast, |
Uzh National Nature Park (Ukrainian: Ужанський національний природний парк) is a protected area in Ukraine. It is located in Uzhhorod Raion of Zakarpattia Oblast, at the border with Poland and Slovakia. The park was created on 5 August 1999 and has the area of 39159.3ha.[1] Since 2007, it is part of the World Heritage site Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe.[2] It is also part of the East Carpathian Biosphere Reserve. The park was created to protect the pristine beech forest of the Carpathians.
In 1908, when the Transcarpathia still belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a nature reserve in the upper valley of the Stuzhychanka River to protect the beech forest landscape. The area of the reserve was 331.8ha. At the same time, a forest reserve of the area of 14.9ha was created in the upper valley of the Uzh River. Between 1919 and 1938, the Transcarpathia belonged to Czechoslovakia, and both reserves were considerably expanded in area. Another reserve was created on the Yavirnyk Mountain. After World War II, the area was completely neglected, and mass timber production started.[3] In 1974, during the Soviet period, Stuzhytsia Forest Landscape Reserve was established. The area of the reserve was 2542ha. In 1995, the reserve was upgraded to a regional landscape park, and in 1999 to a national nature park.[1] [4]
The park is located in the valleys of the Uzh and its tributaries, as well as of the San, in the western slopes of the Carpathian Mountains. The highest point of the park is Kinchyk Bukovskyi Mountain (1251m (4,104feet)). Uzh National Nature Park contains four altitude zones, including beech forest, alder forest, and, above 1100m (3,600feet), alpine meadows. The climate is temperate, with the annual rainfall being around (900mm, and temperatures in winter below zero, so that the mountains are covered in snow.[1]
There are over 1500 species of plants in the park; about 22 of vascular plant species are endemic, and 52 species, including 23 species of orchids, are protected at the national level.[1]
Big mammals include red deer, roe deer, wild boar, red fox, and badger. There are 114 bird species.[1]
The area is populated by Lemkos and has a strong influence of their culture. In particular, six wooden churches built in 17th-18th centuries survived inside the park.[1]
17 trails are signposted within the park.[1]