Change in the area of Lithuanian wetlands (2002–2021)
2022
IvaviciuteIvavičiūtė, Giedrė, Giedre
The topic of the article is especially relevant, because not only in Lithuania, but also all over the world, due to human activities, climate change and other processes, the most natural component of the landscape – wetlands – is rapidly disappearing. Wetlands not only have a unique biodiversity, are valuable elements of the landscape, but also perform many important functions for humanity. Drainage of wetlands results in the loss of most of these functions, as well as secondary problems such as greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution by peat decomposition products, and many others. Wetlands are declining or deteriorating in many parts of the world. More than 90% of former wetlands have been destroyed or severely damaged in Western Europe, more than 50% in Central Europe and about 70% in Southeast Asia. The aim of this article is to determine the change in the areas of Lithuanian wetlands. Thus, the study found that wetland areas were declining in all counties of the country. The largest percentage decrease in wetlands was in Kaunas (67.43%) and Tauragė (54.33%) counties. During the period of 2002–2021, the area of wetlands in the Republic of Lithuania decreased by 50,893.11 ha (34.60%) and in 2021 accounted for 0.15% of the country’s territory, while in 2002 – 2.25%. In order to protect the wetlands, it is necessary to take special measures, carry out intensive projects and works for the restoration of wetlands.
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