The gene pool important locations represent territories with the occurrence of rare and protected flora and fauna species.

Special position holds the ZOO and Botanical Garden. In the Botanical Garden in the territory of 31,5 ha are concentrated representatives of our indigenous and introduced flora. At the present the area fulfils pedagogic-didactic and scientific- research tasks.

The original stand is made up of oak and hornbeam (Querceto-Carpinetum), which is in the highest part attached to the oak forest of Bankov. This vegetation community is supplemented by various compositions of wood species in tree and shrub formations. The occurrence of 59 bird species was found. Dominant bird species are blackbird (Turdus merula), blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla), chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) and robin redbreast (Erithacus rubecula).

On the territory of the town of Košice the gene pool areas are on the following locations:

Forest biotope

A forest complex on an area of 36,5 ha. A gene pool important location is formed of 80-100 year-old stand of silver fir (Abies alba) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) with admixture of sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) and Wych elm (Ulmus glabra).

The importance of the territory is exemplified by the occurrence of indigenous species of avifauna. Pygmy owl nests here (Glaucidium passerinum), Ural owl (Strix uralensis), tawny owl (Strix aluco), hazel grouse (Bonasa bonasia), goldcrest (Regulus regulus), firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus), black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), ring ouzel (Turdus torquatus) and other species.

Area 139 ha. A peak community of silver fir, silver fir -- European beech and oak-hornbeam stands. The exclusivity of the territory is substantiated by nesting occurrence of pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum), Ural owl (Strix uralensis), Tengmalm's owl (Aegolius funereus), three-toed woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus), black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), grey-headed woodpecker (Picus canus), lesser spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor), white-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos), middle spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius), firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus) and others.

From botanical point of view the damp meadows under the Kamenný hrb are important due to relict occurrence of hydrophilous flora. It is the case of the species from the family Orchidaceae: Dactylorhiza majalis, Dactylorhiza incarnata, Gymnadenia conopsea, Platanthera bifolia, Dactylorhiza sambucina and others.

Area 115 ha. It is an isolated complex of forest growth in agriculturally intensively exploited land. English oak (Quercus robur) together with European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) dominates in the stands. There are local enclaves with black pine (Pinus nigra), and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is retained in marginal zones. The territory is an important refugium of animal species, especially insects, as for example carabid beetles: Carabus violaceris, Carabus granulatus, Carabus scheidleri, and long horn beetle Cerambyx cerdo. Of amphibians spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus) can be found here.

Area 5 ha. The rock alone is formed of limestone with noticeable manifestations of the surface and underground karst. In the cave space is a known winter habitat of the large mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis), lesser mouse-eared bat (Myotis blythi), and the lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros).

The summit part is botanically valuable, with thermophilous plant communities, association Seslerietum varie.

The associative species are blue sesleria (Sesleria varia), Aconitum anthora, valerian (Valeriana tripteris), (Centaurea montana).

In the herbal undergrowth of oak-hornbeam stands a massive occurrence of Arum alpinum, (Lunaria rediviva, Martagon lily (Lilium martagon) was recorded, and rich colonies are created by snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis).

Area 52 ha. A continuous forest coat of oak-hornbeam stands, where European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), durmast oak (Quercus petraea) dominate in the tree storey, and locally in the thicker connections joins the European little-leaf linden (Tilia cordata) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica). In the shrub layer field maple (Acer campestre), hazelnut (Corylus avellana) and Cornus sanguinea prevail. Herbal scrub is formed of Carex pilosa communities.

Area 84 ha. An oak-hornbeam growth, durmast oak (Quercus petraea), European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) dominate with an admixture of European beech and field maple.

Area 108 ha. An oak-hornbeam growth strongly influenced by forestry activities. It provides suitable nesting possibilities for birds nesting in cavities.

Xerotherm biotope

An area of the site is 2,2 ha, together with protective zone 16 ha. A remnant of the original extensive xerotherm grassy forest-steppe in south-west part of the ridge of Hradová. Plant communities form overgrowths of (Festuca sulcata – Poa badensis) and communities of dwarf sedge (Carex humilis). Of wood species are dominant: European birch (Betula pendula), pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens), common beech (Fagus sylvatica), white beam-tree (Sorbus aria) and others. The location is important mainly for the occurrence of the protected and endangered species – pasque flower (Pulsatilla grandis) together with many other xerophilous species.

Area 17 ha. An Island of thermophilous vegetation in the agriculturally exploited landscape. The occurrence of critically threatened taxon pasque flower (Pulsatilla grandis) dominates here. In these growths and in their close vicinity grow shrubby formations of the following species: Field maple (Acer campestre), Quercus dalechampii, Pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens), Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas), Ligustrum vulgare, Rosa sp., Crataegus sp., Sorbus aria and other. The location is very valuable for the occurrence of threatened flora species: Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris), Orchis morio, Orchis militaris, Gymnadenia conopsea, Cephalanthera damasonium and others.

Area 17 ha. The Meadow ecosystem with the occurrence of steppe elements. Worth of attention are the endangered taxa of the family Orchidaceae: Dactylorhiza majalis, Dactylorhiza sambucina, Orchis militaris, Orchis morio, and Cephalanthera damasonium. The site is under a strong anthropogenic influence (cattle grazing in summer time).

Floodplain biotope

Area 13 ha. A community of shrubby willows, where is dominating White wilow (Salix alba), Purple wilow (Salix purpurea), Peach-leaf wilow (Salix triandra), Osier (Salix viminalis). After shrubby willow growths follow the willow-poplar high forests (Salici – Populetom) with Salix alba, Black alder (Alnus glutinosa), Acer campestre and others. Bird species as common sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), white wagtail (Motacilla alba), blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla), golden oriole (Oriolus oriolus), and dipper (Cinclus cinclus) use the territory.

Area 4 ha. A water biotope. Riverine trees and shrub stands are formed by thick overgrowth of willow and alders, with admixture of poplar and quaking aspen. Thick growths are made of sedge (Carex gracilis). The water surface is extremely eutrophicated.

The location is an important refugium of animal species. The smooth, or common newt (Triturus vulgaris), common toad (Bufo bufo), Eurasian green toad (Bufo viridis), tree frog (Hyla arborea) occur here. Of bird species kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) appears here.

Water and swamp biotope

Area 50 ha. An open permanent water surface in terrain depression, which emerged after gravel mining in alluvial levels of the river Hornád. In the northern part is an extensive overgrowth of macrophyta, which is made of communities (as. Phragmitetum, Typhetum, Caricetum and Glycieretum).

Important migration location, where more than 70 species of water fowl were detected and out of this number 19 species are declared either rare or endangered in Europe. Besides nesting birds as mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), coot (Fulica atra), moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), we register nesting attempts of common tern (Sterna hirundo), and little bittern (Ixobrychus minutus). The site is an important refugium of amphibians, with an incidence of spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus), and green toad (Bufo viridis).

Area 1 ha. The original pit was created by extraction of brick-clay for brick industry purposes. By growing over the area and the close surroundings an important breeding area of amphibians arose in the centre of the city zone. We have a description of the appearance of the following species: the smooth newt (Triturus vulgaris), crested newt (Triturus cristatus), Bombina bombina, Pelobates fuscus, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, tree frog (Hyla arborea). Of reptiles we have evidence of Lacerta agilis and the European grass snake Natrix natrix.

Area 18 ha. A damp terrain depression. The shrub and tree storey is characterised by representatives of genus Salix (willow). Sporadically occur Populus canadensis, European alder (Alnus glutinosa) and the European quaking aspen (Populus tremula). The depression is covered with dense overgrow of macrophytes in the herbal undergrowth. The water surface is a breeding place for spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus).

Meadow biotope

Area 1,5 ha. The locality is an important occurrence of critically endangered species: Pulsatilla grandis, Orchis ustulata, Epipactis microphylla, Traunsteinera globosa, Aquilegia vulgaris, and others.

In the municipal quarter Košice-Kavečany, a modern zoological garden is being built since 1979 that is oriented mainly to Euro-Asian fauna which is bred in spaces being similar to natural conditions with respect to size and character. The acreage of 292 hectares of this zoological garden belongs to the three largest zoological gardens in Europe. From the total acreage, the area of 288 hectares is stocked by the beech forest. The area of one third of the total acreage is designed for visitors where the breeding facilities are being built gradually. A part of the remaining surface was already used to establish the reservation of Equus Caballus, the other part of the remaining surface was used to constitute the quarantine, hospital, infirmary, farming yards and storage rooms but mainly to build the breeding station for rare and proprietary species of mainly Carpathian fauna. For animals as well as visitors were created protected natural conditions that allow to breed various animal species very successfully and they attract to visit the zoological garden for a minimum of half day tour.

Equus Caballus (hucul)	80 heads
Camelus Ferus	4 heads
Equus Przewalskii	6 heads
Bos Mutus	15 heads
Rupicarpa Rupicarpa	16 heads
Equus Burchellii Boehmi	3 heads
Ovis Musimon	74 heads
Equus Burchellii Chapmani	5 heads
Dama Dama	28 heads
Lama Guanicoe	8 heads
Bos Taurus	8 heads
Kobus Leche	29 heads
Decorative scratching poultry	378 heads
Equus Caballus (Shetland)	12 heads
Water poultry	220 heads
Ursus Arctos	6 heads
Exotic birds	54 heads
Panthera Tigris Sumatrae	6 heads
Reptiles – big snakes	14 heads
Puma Concolor	3 heads
Aquarium fishes	910 heads approximately