Page 25 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

A POR TRAIT OF EST ONIA , LA T VIA AND LITHU ANIA 23

Flora
Arctic lichen is a
The Baltic States’ extensive forests and wetlands type of fungus found
provide an environment in which a diverse range in Hiiumaa Island’s
of plants can thrive. Many edible varieties of fungi Landscape Reserve.
and berries grow here. There is an orchid trail near Like other lichen, it
Lake Engure, in Latvia, and yellow rattle and sea usually grows in two
holly grow in Saaremaa and Curonian Spit. layers with a growth
of algae in between.
Mushrooms are Orchids grow
mostly wood mostly in the
decomposers or wetlands and
parasites. As the woods. Those
virgin forests are found here
depleting, include rare
species of the North European Berries, such as cran-
former are species that are berries, are eaten and
becoming rarer. facing extinction. also turned into wine.

Lakes and Rivers Coastline
The region is dotted with lakes, of which Lake Estonia has a sprawling coastline. It includes
Peipsi in Estonia is the largest. There are a a stretch of the Baltic Klint, which is a long
number of short rivers in the area. The low erosional escarpment stretching from Sweden
salinity of the Baltic Sea limits the number of to Russia. Another striking coastal feature is the
plants and animal species it can support. Thus Curonian Spit, a long sandy strip in Lithuania
many of those present are freshwater species. stretching to Kaliningrad.

Ringed seals are protected
The barn
swallow, the and can be found off
national bird the coast of Saaremaa
of Estonia, often and other
builds its nests Estonian islands.
in man-made
structures.
Elk is a game
Brown bears are species that
omnivores and can usually lives in
be spotted in the forests and
forests of Estonia and wetlands. It often
Latvia, although they appears on
are usually sighted restaurant
only with the help menus in the
of a guide. Baltic States.