Problems of Determining Wetland Boundaries: The Case of Lithuania

Abstract Precise identification of wetland boundaries has become increasingly important as society’s view of ecology evolves. With climate change, various environmental issues have significantly impacted public discourse. One of these “uncomfortable” questions is the establishment of protection regimes in wetland areas. To address this, the accuracy and correctness of determining wetland boundaries are essential. This is particularly relevant for land users, as vegetation in certain areas becomes protected if it grows in wetlands or water protection zones. The exact wetland boundary is determined by a surveyor during measurements. However, such measurements often lead to errors, and subjective boundary determination by the surveyor can play a significant role, along with factors such as the moisture level at the time of measurement. As a result, deviations can occur, causing the wetland boundary to shift in one direction or another. Accurately determining wetland boundaries ensures the proper implementation of environmental requirements and enables optimal land use for various economic activities. During this research, measurements of wetland boundaries were conducted at different water levels within the wetland. The measurements were carried out in accordance with legal regulations and criteria for determining wetland boundaries. The measurement data were analyzed, discrepancies between the determined wetland boundaries were presented, and the reasons for measurement inconsistencies were discussed.