The Schaalsee landscape comprises vast lakes formed by a meltwater system in the last Ice Age, forests and raised, intermediate and lowland bogs. The lakes are largely nutrient-poor and the Schaalsee lake itself is one of Germany’s biggest freshwater lakes. Its banks enjoy well-developed landing zones (common reed, sedge and carr woodlands). The adjoining, heavily populated moraine landscape is characterised by large-scale, near-natural forests, mires, grassland lowlands and old meadow landscapes. The area is traditionally a breeding and resting ground for rare swamp and aquatic birds like the Eurasian crane and the osprey. It also provides a habitat for the otter and for many threatened plant species like the fen orchid, flea sedge, Rannoch rush and various marsh orchids.