Pape Wetland Complex

Pape Wetland Complex. 31/10/02; Liepaja; 51,725 ha; 56°10'N 020°55'E. Important Bird Areas, nature park. Bordered by Lithuania at the south, the Lake Pape area is unique in the diversity of ecosystems concentrated in relatively small territory, including coastal lagoon, oligo-mesotrophic waters, natural eutrophic lakes, coastal dunes and raised bogs. The area is an internationally significant breeding, migrating and wintering site for birds and includes BirdLife Important Bird Areas. The narrow strip of land between Lake Pape and the sea is a major "bottleneck" for migratory birds such as the goose Anser fabalis and supports thousands of bats, notably the Myotis dasycneme. The site is an important place for other species considered as vulnerable or endangered within international frameworks like Lynx lynx, Castor fiber, Lutra lutra, Lampetra fluviatilis and shows also 6 habitats of EU importance, from which 5 are identified as priority. Human activities are berry picking (in mires), recreation, fishing and reed cutting. Surrounding areas are used for extensive grazing by Konik horses. Factors adversely affecting the site are the overgrowing of reeds, eutrophication of the lake, and unregulated tourist use of the area. A Nature Centre was established in 2002. A management plan for Lake Pape was prepared in 1997 and should be updated in 2004. Ramsar site no. 1386. Most recent RIS information: 2003.

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