Biological diversity

The major habitats of European Community importance (code, title) found in the park: 3260 Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Cal litricho-Batrachion vegetation; 6120 Xeric sand calcareous grasslands; 9010 Western Taïga; 9080 Fennoscandian de ciduous swamp woods; 91D0 Bog woodland; 91E0 Alluvial forests; 91TO Central European lichen Scots pine forests.

The total number of plant species is 1,978, of these 9 are protected by the European Community, 79 are included in Lithuania’s Red Data Book. The total number of animal spcies is 2108. Mammals – 54, of these 14 are protected by the European Community, and 10 are included into the Lithuania’s Red Data Book. Birds – 200, of these 52 are protected by the European Community, and 57 are included into the Lithuania’s Red Data Book. Fishes – 38, of the se 6 are protected by the European Community, and 4 are included into the Lithuania’s Red Data Book. Amphibians and reptiles – 19, of these 11 are protected by the Europe an Community, and 7 are included into the Lithuania’s Red Data Book. Invertebrates – 1797, of these 11 are protec ted by the European Community, and 52 are included in the Lithuania’s Red Data Book.

Quite a few plant species came to Lithuania via the river valleys and sandy plains, from the South-Eastern and Cen tral Europe, which is why many species found in the Dzūkija National Park can be found nowhere else in Lithuania, otherwise are very rare.