This article presents the results of an analysis of the 16 environmental monitoring networks in Poland, which were operating during the years 2000-2009 within communes with a particular focus on the rural areas. The original data completeness indices were calculated for each network and in total. The results show that the development of environmental monitoring in rural communes is much weaker than in cities, especially in the scope of air quality and traffic noise. Outside the cities, the monitoring of waters, as well as the health condition of forests is being realized most fully. Considering the spatial distribution, the environmental monitoring of rural areas is run the most successfully in Pomerania, Lower Silesia and Łódź voivodeships, while it is the least successful in eastern Poland, especially in the Masovia voivodeship. Environmental monitoring was particularly applied in the areas endangered by industry, the national border areas and those with especially valuable natural values.

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