Biodiversity in Lithuania: challenges, achievements and policy

Abstract

Biodiversity is the key to the stability and productivity of natural systems. Preserving biodiversity is therefore one of the most important environmental issues. Analysis focuses on the biodiversity and related indicators like forest coverage, protected areas, red list, fish catchments and administrative infringements in protected areas. Data from the Department of Statistics to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania (Statistics Lithuania), Ministry of Environment of Republic of Lithuania, State Service for Protected Areas and National Land Service of Lithuania are used in this study to reveal the main trends of biodiversity and related indicators. The research covers the period of last two decades after the reestablishment of independence, which is still considered as transition period. It is assumed that transition period will last until the main indicators (GDP, incomes, labour productivity, etc.) of Lithuania reach the European Union old member's level on average. During the last decades, following the restoration of Lithuania independence, the country became as participant in international law collaboration. The environmental sector is probably one of the sectors which have been mostly influenced by international conventions and treaties, establishing a framework for environmental protection and sustainable development on global and regional levels. Economic activities have contributed to reduced forest cover which has adversely affected number of species mainly due to natural habitats loss or fragmentation.