[citation needed] Beskydy PLA represents a biologically relatively well-preserved landscape unit of the highest Carpathian Mountains in the Czech Republic.

Among Beskydy's most significant natural values are the remnants of primeval forest stands with many rare Carpathian animal and plant species, meadow communities and pastures with high species diversity, unique surface and underground pseudokarst phenomena.

[2] The exceptional aesthetic value and variety of the landscape is complemented by the strong folklore tradition and numerous preserved examples of folk architecture.

[citation needed] The entire PLA territory is nominated as a Site of Community Importance (SCI) under the European Union Natura 2000 system to protect 10 animal and 2 plant Species of Community Interest and 12 Habitats of Community Interest and also 2 Special Protection Areas (SPAs – Bird Areas) have also been declared (Horní Vsacko[3] and Beskydy[4][5]), to protect 8 species of predominantly forest birds.

[1] The area is also an important recreational background for the industrial Ostrava region, with large resorts in towns on the edges of Beskydy PLA: Frýdlant nad Ostravicí, Frenštát pod Radhoštěm, Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, and others.