Call from the Ministry of Environment: record rare species and help to protect them

Spring and summer are a great time to observe nature, when everything is in bloom, birds are nesting and mammals are raising their young. During this period we can often spot not only common but also rare or protected animals, plants and fungi. The Ministry of Environment invites all nature lovers not only to enjoy such discoveries, but also to contribute actively to their conservation by registering the protected species they observe in the Protected Species Information System (SRIS).

What is SRIS and how does it work?

SRIS is a system that allows every resident of Lithuania to register the locations where rare or protected plants, animals or fungi are found, to submit requests for information on the distribution of species in specific areas and to contribute to the accumulation of valuable data. These data are extremely important, because they are the basis for planning the boundaries of protected areas, setting restrictions on economic activity and taking other important environmental decisions.

The western barbastelle, one of the protected species

Recently Mindaugas Kirstukas, adviser in the Nature Policy Group of the Ministry of Environment, recorded a bat that is quite rarely seen in Lithuania, the western barbastelle. This species can be recognised by its ears, which are joined at the base on the top of the head.

Interesting facts about the western barbastelle: In recent years it has been found most often in central Lithuania, although find sites have also been registered in the western and eastern parts of Lithuania. Its habitats are old deciduous stands. It likes to spend the day under loose tree bark and to change places often. The western barbastelle flies fast and nimbly, at treetop level or low above water, and in the wild it can live for as long as 23 years.

You can learn more about this species here.

Why is it important to register the species you observe?

Information entered into SRIS, for example about a black stork's nest, the habitat of a rare bird of prey or the growing site of an endangered plant, helps to give legal protection to a specific location, to ensure a real chance for the species to survive, to accumulate scientific data on the distribution of species and to monitor population changes over time.

How to log in to SRIS and submit data?

Login to the system is through the Electronic Government Gateway (VIISP), using Smart-ID, an electronic signature or banking tools. Once logged in, you can submit data on an interactive map and submit requests to receive information or to be granted access. With special access, you can also view the exact coordinates of find sites and assess the accuracy of data submitted by other users.

What else can be found in the SRIS system?

In the Protected Species Information System you can also view generalised species distribution maps, download the publication "Raudonoji knyga", find information on the legal status of species and follow news about the state of rare species in Lithuania.

Source: Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania