The Site is situated at the watershed between the basins of the Bug and Wieprz rivers in south-eastern Poland, near the border with Ukraine and within the pan-European ecological corridor of the Bug river, and has the same boundaries as the National Park. With its complex of shallow lakes and mires, Poleski National Park has habitats ranging from raised bogs to transitional and calcareous mires and alkaline fens, with vegetation indicating some features of woodland tundra. Forest communities vary from pine woods to alder swamps with a typical hollow-and-mound structure. The Site supports about 146 breeding bird species including raptors such as the lesser spotted eagle, hen harrier and Montagu’s harrier. The only sparsely populated area, which features traditional wooden cottages, is used for extensive agriculture, fishing and forestry. Water habitats are endangered due to falling water levels and eutrophication. A management plan has been put in place by the Park authorities, and is renewed on a yearly basis.