Nature reserve "Lubana wetland complex"

"Lubana wetland complex" is the largest inland wetland in Latvia. It was established in 2009, combining 12 nature reserves and creating a complex, specially protected nature territory with a total area of 5,132.7 thousand ha.

Preference: Material of Nature Conservation Agency

The nature reserve is created to provide the protection of the biggest lake of Latvia as well as of the marshes, forest arrays and wetlands around the Lubana Lake. In the complex are represented outstanding specially protected biotopes in Latvia and the European Union as well as rich and varied flora and fauna.

The unique variety of biotopes of the Lubana Wetland complex is determined by its geographical location. Here adjoin habitats that are typical for diverse climate zones and here can be found river floodplain meadows, intact raised bogs, swampy forests, boreal (Northern) forests, black alder swamps, park-type meadows et al.

The territory is significant for the protection of the globally endangered wader called Great Snipe (Gallinago media), because it nests in the widest floodplain meadows of Latvia that can be found in Lubana Wetland complex.

The Lubana Wetland complex is outstanding and unique and for the conservation of natural diversity globally significant territory. Despite the transformative measures of the nature, that has lasted over one and a half century, it still is a united ecosystem which performs significant ecological, economic and social functions.

The nature reserve "Lubana Wetland" is not only special are of conservation on a national level, but also internationally. It is included in the territory network of NATURA 2000 that has been created by the European Union; it is one of the recognized wetland of the Ramsar of The Convention of Wetlands and it is also defined as The Important bird area by the international bird protection organization "BirdLife International".


The Lubana Lake and fishponds are one of the most important rest and feeding places in the country for migrating water birds. It is also a nesting place for 29 specially protected bird species of Europe - Lesser Spotted Eagle (Clanga pomarina), White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Whooped Swan (Cygnus cygnus), Corncrake (Crex crex), Great Snipe (Gallinago media) - and  place where many endangered bird species of the world can be found - Great Snipe (Gallinago media), Corncrake (Crex crex), White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)et al.

The Lubana Wetland is significant also archaeologically, because it is considered as the place in the territory of Latvia where the first inhabitants appeared. The presence of a human being in this place is proven since Late Paleolithic more than 10 500 years ago.

The administration of the nature reserve is realized by direct administration institutions Nature Protection Agency Latgale Region Administration subordinated to the minister of environmental protection and regional development.

 

Information about nature reserve "Lubana Wetland":

On the website of the Nature protection agency - http://www.daba.gov.lv/public/lat/iadt/dabas_liegumi/lubana_mitrajs/;

Project "Lubana

wetland - Management of the Lubana Wetland complec, Latvia" - http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=2476#PD