Bodden

A lagoon is an area separated from the open sea by headlands coastal waters (that is, a lagoon ) on the Baltic Sea.

Definition

The term thus includes large lagoons that are only available through narrow inlets in connection with the open sea. A smaller bay within these lagoons is also called Wiek.

Formation

The headlands of the southern Baltic Sea coast and the underlying Bodden waters caused by coastal compensation since the last ice age. In a post-glacial sea-level rise, the ground moraine was flooded, so that small coves and towering out of the water moraine formed.

Thus, the Bodden - viewed in geological time - very young formations. They have a lower salt content than the Baltic Sea, as river opens out continuously provide fresh water and the water exchange can take place only through the flood channels with the open sea.

Examples

Significant lagoons are located on the southern Baltic Sea in Pomerania between Rostock and the island of Usedom, so among other things:

The Bodden are typical of the coastal Western Pomerania, but also on the Mecklenburg coast and in Denmark there are similar flat inner coastal waters.

Fauna

The lagoons are important habitats for many species of birds and especially important resting places for migratory birds like cranes and many species of geese. This was also a reason for the establishment of the National Park Boddenlandscape between the Darß and the island of Rügen.

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