The aim of the article is to analyse the land use of selected areas and its impact on the ecological condition of the area. 3 (Ignalina, Molėtai and Zarasai) from 15 districts (which are characterized by considerable forest cover and exceptional recreational characteristics) of Lithuania were selected as the object of research. The largest part of the area of these districts (44–57%) consists of agricultural areas; a slightly smaller area (32–42%) is occupied by forests and other natural areas. Artificial covers occupy from 8 to 11 percent of the total area of districts. Analysing the change of these land cover areas over a period of 12 years, a practically stable (4-6%) decrease of agricultural areas and growth of forests and other natural areas (3–5%) as well as artificial covers (1%) in all three municipalities are observed. Taking into account the prevailing land cover structure in the districts in 2018, the estimated degree of polarization of all districts/ecological stability indicator of the area exceeded 0.67, i.e., areas have been found to be ecologically stable. However, after assessing the ecological stability of the surveyed areas using a multi-criteria analysis method and introducing more criteria influencing the ecological condition of the area, not only the land cover structure, it was found that the ecological condition of Molėtai district is still the worst according to the ranking indicators, while that of Zarasai and Ignalina districts is very similar. Such a negative multi-criteria assessment of the ecological condition of Molėtai district was influenced by all criteria: lower area of protected and natural territories, forests in the district, higher population density, road length, area of artificial covers and emissions (carbon monoxides, nitrogen oxides, etc.) quantity. Meanwhile, when assessing the ecological condition of Ignalina district, 4 criteria were favourable, namely: relatively low population density, road length, and lower emissions of gases and liquids, carbon monoxide, and for Zarasai district 7 criteria: higher areas of protected territories, forests and other natural, agricultural areas as well as artificial cover areas and lower population density, emissions of nitrogen oxides, gaseous and liquid substances. The results of the study unambiguously revealed that the ecological stability of the territory is influenced not only by the land use structure, but also by other environmental elements related to the area, therefore for full sustainable development, it is necessary to responsibly assess all possible factors influencing the ecological condition of the area.

Wetlands are the most important natural resources; they are the sources of biological, cultural, and economic diversity. The article presents an analysis of the current situation of the wetland area in Klaipeda County. Analytical, comparative, statistical, and logical analysis methods were used for the investigation. The aim of the investigation is to carry out the analysis of Klaipeda County’s wetland area during the period between the years 2002 and 2022. In 2022, wetlands occupied 1.21 percent of Klaipeda’s County, i.e. 6,337.53 ha. In 2002, the area of wetlands in Klaipeda County was 1.68 percent and occupied 8,748.33 ha. So, in Klaipeda County during the period between the years 2002 and 2022 wetland area decreased by 2,410.80 ha or 27.56 percent. After the analysis of the change in wetland areas in the districts of Klaipeda County, it can be seen that in all municipalities, wetland areas decreased in the period of 2002–2022. Many wetlands in Klaipeda County have been exploited and managed for various purposes. Large wetland areas have been drained and reclaimed mainly for agriculture and the establishment of human settlements. Monitoring and inventory of wetlands are important for of conserving and managing wetland resources. An important element of all peatland restoration projects is a programme of monitoring to check results and progress. The aim of the investigation is to carry out the analysis of the Klaipeda County wetland area during the period between the years 2002 and 2022.