Wetlands

The hilly, undulating and forested terrain of Žemaitija National Park has created a large number of wetlands of various sizes. They cover 9.7% of the territory of the National Park. Alkaline lowland fens (around 1400 ha / 3450 ac) and transitional mires (about 550 ha / 1360 ac) are predominant. Raised bogs are not as common and take up about 170 ha / 420 ac. Majority of these valuable habitats are concentrated in the surroundings of lakes Plateliai, Beržoras, Ilgis and Burgis. These include Siberija, Gaudupis, Briedinė, Beržoro, Sidabrinė, Lieptos, Pakryžinė, Pailgio, Paburgė and other wetlands. One of the larger ones, the 35 ha Barstytali wetland, is located on the north-western edge of the National Park. The Velėnija wetland is unique, with a wide variety of vegetation: bog, meadow and even forest plants grow side by side, and at the end of May, the bog is coloured by the pink blossoms of the bird’s-eye primrose (Primula farinosa). The mysterious Juodupis wetland complex, which covers more than 80 hectares, is dotted with bog-ponds and tree-covered islands, is protected by the Plokštinė Nature Reserve.

The National Park’s wetlands are home to some of the most botanically valuable species and communities.  As many as 40% of the Lithuanian Red Data Book plant species found in the National Park are found in wetlands. It is in these habitats that the greatest diversity of orchids is found. However, the wetlands are gradually losing their characteristic species diversity, unable to resist the invasion of reeds, shrubs and trees. Therefore, human management activities (removal of woody vegetation, mowing) can guarantee the preservation of open wetland habitats with their values.