Łęgi Odrzańskie, Poland

Environment

Environment

Affected by human activity

Affected by human activity

Pollution

Pollution

Moderate

Surrounding area

The Oder is the second largest river in Poland. In its middle course, between Brzeg Dolny and Głogów (about 150 km), there is a land called Łęgi Odrzańskie. Its area is about 500 square kilometres. Many natural landscapes and habitats of the great river valley have been preserved here. Riparian forests, alder forests, meadows, oxbow lakes and riverside slopes are subjected to periodic floods. The land is home to a huge number of flora and fauna species. We find here 88 endangered species which have entered in the Red Books. The area in this respect is unique in Europe and beyond.
Łęgi Odrzańskie is located in the temperate climate zone. Annual rainfall approx. 540 mm / m2; temperature 9.7 ° C (from -30 ° C to + 38 ° C). The average insolation is 1556 hours a year.

Underwater landscape

The backwaters in this area are densely covered with marsh vegetation (Phragmites L., Carex L.) The visible root systems of grasses and trees create an impenetrable tangle. Fallen trees and branches form a real maze in which fry of many fish species can hide. The bottom is covered with silt and organic matter deposited in the flooding river.

Fish: Leuciscus aspius, Misgurnus fossilis, Gasterosteus aculeatus, Gymnocephalus cernua, Alburnus alburnus, Barbus barbus, Vimba vimba, Gobio gobio, Cobitis taenia.

Plants: Trapa natans, Potamogeton acutifolius, Ceratophyllum demersum, Potamogeton natans, Polygonetum natantis, Nymphaea alba, Salvinia natans.

Wetland plants:Circaea lutetiana, Carex riparia, Carex acutiformis (Curtis), Carex paniculata, Carex elata, Carex gracilis, Juncus sffusus, Equisetetum fluviatilis, Eleocharis palustris, Phragmitetum australis.

Threats to ecology

The land is characterized by an enormous wealth of rare and endangered natural habitats. There are of 88 species of plants and animals listed in the Red Books published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It is unique in Europe. The following species should be mentioned here: Romanogobio albipinnatus, Leuciscus aspius. Plants such as: Salvinia natans, Trapa natans L., Gentiana pneumonanthe, Iris sibirica. The area plays the role of the ecological corridor Econet-Polska.

Threats to the area: lowering of groundwater in the Odra River valley related to the dam in Brzeg Dolny as well as climate changes, water pollution. Introducing alien species of animals, trees and shrubs.

Riparian zone

Trees near the aquatic habitat

Many - Salicetum triandro-viminslis, Salix alba, Salix fragilis, Salix cinerea, Alnus mill, Populus nigra, Populus alba