Lake Neusiedl is the most western lake of the Eurasian Steppe, which extends thousands of miles from Austria to China. With the Alpine orogeny, the Tethys-Ocean, which covered the East of Austria, dissappeared and the Pannonian Basin was formed.

Most of the lake is surrounded by reeds which serve as a habitat for wildlife and making the lake an important resting place for migratory birds. The water quality of Lake Neusiedl and several smaller lakes called “Lacken” is determined by temperature, wind, and by the amount of salt and mud emanating with the ground water from the sediments.

For a study-trip we visited the National Park Neusiedler See-Seewinkel, famous also for its orchids and plants who managed to live on salty grounds like the oval purse.

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