Dzukija - Geomorphological Reserves

Geomorphological Reserves

Distinctive or unique terrain elements are protected in these reserves. In the Dzūkija National Park, they are the largest single part of the nature reserves. In four of the reserves, Dzūkija’s continental dunes are protected: the Alkūnės kampas reserve to the south of Marcinkonys protects parabolic continental dunes, the Drevių kampas reserve in the eastern part of the Park between Marcinkonys and Lynežeris protects ridge dunes, the Marcinkonys reserve in the forests between Marcinkonys and Mančiagirė protects the compact continental dunes and the highest dune in the Park (168.1 meters above sea level), and the Šunupis reserve to the east of the village of the same name protects the forested great dunes with their distinctive flora and fauna.

Three other geomorphological reserves have been designated to preserve characteristic terrain elements of the Nemunas valley. The Ucieka reserve, including the villages of Ucieka and Krušonys as well as the forested vicinity on the right bank of the Nemunas, protects the unique erosive complexes of the slopes of the Nemunas valley, with their cliffs, cirques, and the small valleys of the tributaries. The Gudeliai reserve between the villages of Žeimiai and Gudeliai in the bend of the Nemunas river preserves the lower part of the Panara terrace system, the largest in Lithuania, with its unique geomorphological complex and the plant life characteristic of it. In the Pakrykštė reserve to the south of the village of Ryliškiai, one may appreciate the beauty of the old Nemunas valley and the Pakrykštė erosive cirque. The terrain of the southern slopes of the Dzūkija moraine heights is well-represented by the Merkinė reserve, located to the north of the town of Merkinė. The Strauja reserve includes the valley of the Strauja stream to the northwest of Merkinė, the Lauja and Mikalauciškė lakes, and valuable valleyside forests.