482
22.6.3 More Coastal Wetlands
in France
One of the better known coastal wetland areas
in France is at the Normandy–Brittany border
near the world famous abbey of Mont SaintMichel, perched atop a promontory in a bay of
the English Channel. It is accessible to pilgrims and tourists by day only until the tides
turn it into an island. Some of the most extensive salt marshes of Europe are found surrounding the abbey. It may be noted here that
since the beginning of the century, there had
been c 60 % drainage of the coastal marshes in
this region. But, now, the coastal wetlands are
better protected even though grazing of sheep
is still practised on these marshes. Further, it
may be noted here that the Wadden Sea makes
up >8,000 km
2 of shallow water, extensive tidal
mud fl ats, marsh and sand. Some people consider this to be one of the most important
coastal wetlands in western Europe. The wetlands extend for >500 km along the coast of
Denmark (10 %), Germany (60 %) and the
Netherlands (30 %). Many bays surround the
Baltic Sea and the adjacent seas in northern
Europe. Many of them have extensive
wetlands.
22.7 Wetlands of Germany
There are quite a large number of lentic bodies
both in Germany and in Belgium. An account is
briefl y given below.
22.7.1 Lake Constance
Lake Constance (Plate 22.14 , photographed by
the author) is one of the biggest lakes in Europe.
It borders a number of countries.
22.7.2 High Fens
The High Fens (Plate 22.15 ) (German, Hohes
Venn ; French, Hautes Fagnes ; Dutch, Hoge
Venen ), lying between 50° 32′ 40″ N and 06° 04′
40″ E, are an upland area in the province of Liège,
in Belgium and nearby parts of Germany, between
the Ardennes and the Eifel highlands. Its highest
point, at 694 m MSL, is the Signal de Botrange
near Eupen, which is also the highest point in
Plate 22.14 Lake Constance
Plate 22.15 High Fens
22 Wetlands of Europe
22.6.3 More Coastal Wetlands
in France
One of the better known coastal wetland areas
in France is at the Normandy–Brittany border
near the world famous abbey of Mont SaintMichel, perched atop a promontory in a bay of
the English Channel. It is accessible to pilgrims and tourists by day only until the tides
turn it into an island. Some of the most extensive salt marshes of Europe are found surrounding the abbey. It may be noted here that
since the beginning of the century, there had
been c 60 % drainage of the coastal marshes in
this region. But, now, the coastal wetlands are
better protected even though grazing of sheep
is still practised on these marshes. Further, it
may be noted here that the Wadden Sea makes
up >8,000 km
2 of shallow water, extensive tidal
mud fl ats, marsh and sand. Some people consider this to be one of the most important
coastal wetlands in western Europe. The wetlands extend for >500 km along the coast of
Denmark (10 %), Germany (60 %) and the
Netherlands (30 %). Many bays surround the
Baltic Sea and the adjacent seas in northern
Europe. Many of them have extensive
wetlands.
22.7 Wetlands of Germany
There are quite a large number of lentic bodies
both in Germany and in Belgium. An account is
briefl y given below.
22.7.1 Lake Constance
Lake Constance (Plate 22.14 , photographed by
the author) is one of the biggest lakes in Europe.
It borders a number of countries.
22.7.2 High Fens
The High Fens (Plate 22.15 ) (German, Hohes
Venn ; French, Hautes Fagnes ; Dutch, Hoge
Venen ), lying between 50° 32′ 40″ N and 06° 04′
40″ E, are an upland area in the province of Liège,
in Belgium and nearby parts of Germany, between
the Ardennes and the Eifel highlands. Its highest
point, at 694 m MSL, is the Signal de Botrange
near Eupen, which is also the highest point in
Plate 22.14 Lake Constance
Plate 22.15 High Fens
22 Wetlands of Europe