EN
The Western Pomerania is among better studied regions of Poland with respect to natural history. This is evidenced by the number of zoological publications pertaining to that area (Urbański, 1958). Until now (in spite of its being situated close to a large academic centre of Szczecin) no entomological monograph has been devoted to the Puszcza Bukowa forest - one of the most valuable and best preserved areas of the region. This paper, a part of a larger cycle devoted to the studies on selected insect taxa carried out in 1987-1991 (Buchholz, 1993; Buchholz, Bunalski, Nowacki, 1993; Bunalski, 1993; Kubisz, 1993; Nowacki, 1993), presents a concise geomorphological, climatic and phytosociological characteristics of the area. Puszcza Bukowa near Szczecin, since 1981 a landscape park, is situated on a belt of moraine hills, geomorphologically much diversified. It forms a dense complex, mostly of deciduous forests, of a total area of c. 9000 ha. Among woodland plant communities the following dominate: Melico-Fagetum as several phytosociological variants, Fago-Quercetum petraeae, Mercuriali-Fagetum and Luzulo pilosae-Fagetum. A smaller area is occupied by alder carrs, riverine forests, mixed forests and other plant communities. Many fragments of woodland communities in the Puszcza Bukowa forest are close to natural (Celiński, 1962). Five nature reserves of a total area of over 450 ha are situated there, in principle their objective being to protect forest ecosystems. A very important factor influencing the ecosystems of the studied area is a typically atlantic climate, unique in Poland, and specific hydrological conditions (high annual precipitation, numerous springs, flowing waters, vaucluses) resulting from its climate and geomor- phology. In the paper the main studied localities (nature reserves, the largest and oldest non-forest area - meadow „Polana Kotowska" and neighbourhood of some forester's cottages and keeper's houses close to which light traps for insects were installed) are characterized with respect to their nature; methods of collecting material are presented, the most important being: colleting from vegetation (among others sweeping with entomological net), searching possible places of development, use of natural and artificial baits.