Lubana wetland complex
Lubana Wetland Complex. 31/10/02; Madona, Rezekne, Balvi, Gulbene; 48,020 ha; 56°49'N 026°54'E. Nature reserve. The largest wetland in Latvia, with a shallow freshwater lake, 7 raised and transitional bogs and fens, inundated grasslands, fishponds and wet forests - in total, 15 protected habitats of European importance are represented. The site is important for maintaining bog-specific and rare bird species and wetland characteristic plant species and communities. More than 26,000 waterfowl birds rest in the area during spring migrations, especially large flocks of Bewick's Swan, Whooper Swan, and Pintail, and the site supports some particularly protected bird species like Haliaeetus albicilla, Aquila clanga, Gallinago media, Crex crex and protected mammals such as Castor fiber, Lutra lutra, Canis lupus, Ursus arctos, Lynx lynx. The main human activities are forestry, marginal non-intensive agriculture, and fishery. Drainage and dam constructions have damaged the wetland structure and threaten the fish population. A LIFE-Nature project approved in 2003 is intended to implement an environmental management plan to achieve sustainable development by 2010. Ramsar site no. 1384. Most recent RIS information: 2003.