Flora

The Biosphere Reserve is characterised by great diversity. The Granitz is the largest forest of the Reserve. In the early Middle-Age, it was a mixed forest composed mainly by alder (Alnus sp.), tilia (Tillia sp.) and oak (Quercus sp.). Since, the beech (Fagus sp.) predominates. Beech’s forests are typical for north European plain. Where the humidity raises, grow the sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) and the wood fescue (Festuca altissima). In rare area, where cliffs are inactive, grow the Ribes alpinum, the honeysuckle (lonicera sp.), the common dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), and the goat willow (Salix caprea) for the bushy stratum. In the herbaceous stratum grow the anemone hepatica (Hepatica nobilis), the wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa), the primrose (Primula sp.), the lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis), the spring vetch (Lathyrus vernus) and the woodruff (Galium odoratum).

In addition to the forest area, the landscape is marked by many pastures. Among them, the dry grassland are worthy of a special attention. Zicker Hill, the most grandiose of the entire coast, grazing by sheep has allowed the development of unique vegetation and an incredible diversity. Plants features are mainly thermopiles species such as oregano (Origanum vulgare), the venom-tames officinal (Vincetoxicum hirundinaria) or the large speedwell (Veronica Teucrium). Pastures salt basins are unlike the salty pastures of foreshore immersed 4 to 5 times a year, when storms are passing fluctuate the level of the Baltic. Pastures are favourable habitats for species tolerant to salinity, such as the arm sands (Armeria arenaria), sea aster (Aster tripolium), the sea arrowgrass (Triglochin maritimum) or glasswort (Salicornia sp.). On the other hand there is the sea-Milkwort (Glaux maritima), the Maritime plantain (Plantago maritima) and sea rocket (Cakile maritima). As a result of the containment and reduction of dumping, much of the salty pastures have lost their characteristics. Containment has fostered the growth of reed beds upstream dams, and grazing by cattle, combined with wise use of these lands is essential or necessary.