Krogenberg Hegn, Denmark Photograph by Dana Nau   Northern Europe: Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Poland Temperate Broadleaf and Mixed Forests   45,000 square miles (116,600 square kilometers) -- about the size of Pennsylvania Critical/Endangered

· Many Habitats, Many Species
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Many Habitats, Many Species

Like other European ecoregions at this latitude, the Baltic Mixed Forests ecoregion lies in a temperate zone much farther north than comparable areas in the western part of the Eurasian continent or eastern North America. Comprised of both forests and wetlands, this ecoregion has many different habitats and, therefore, a wide diversity of species. Migrating and breeding water birds, shore birds, and wading birds visit this habitat each year, and as a result, 32 Important Bird Areas have been designated by Birdlife International.

Special Features

The part of this ecoregion located around the southern Baltic Sea features fairly flat terrain and acidic soils that support mixed forests of beech and oak trees. Inland, the vegetation changes to European hornbeam, Scots pine, linden, chickweed, and saw-wort. Numerous small coastal rivers create lakes and wetlands, which add diversity to the habitats and vegetation.

	Mink are meat eaters, preying on aquatic animals such as fish, crabs, muskrats, and ducks. They will also instinctively stockpile every suitable prey they encounter.

Wild Side

Wetlands comprise most of the habitat for species in this ecoregion. Two frogs, the pool and moor frog, are considered threatened species. The European mink, which is found mainly in riparian habitat, is endangered. Ironically, the American mink is part of the reason for its endangerment. The American mink, which was released into the wild in some European countries and escaped from mink farms in others, out-competes the European mink for the same habitat and food. Bitterns live in the cover of reed beds eating fish, frogs, and other small animals. They and several other birds breed here and then migrate south for winter. Other birds that live in this ecoregion are the gray heron and the mute swan. Raptors, such as goshawks and buzzards, prey on a variety of birds, rodents, snakes, amphibians and other small- to medium-sized creatures. Many migratory birds pass through the ecoregion, taking advantage of the various wet habitats.

Cause for Concern

This ecoregion is in serious need of conservation. Humans have been using the lands throughout history. One of the major concerns for the area is the pollution of wetlands and fresh water by agriculture, industry, domestic sewage, and fisheries. Land use and alteration for tourism, agricultural, hunting, egg harvesting, and the draining of wetlands threaten to fragment and degrade remaining areas of intact habitat.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.