Monitoring Frog Orchid habitat in Matsalu National Park

The population of the Frog Orchid also know as Long Bracted Green Orchid in Matsalu National Park has been monitored for 12 years. Monitoring also took place this year, but with a slightly different approach. In previous years, the plants were mainly surveyed in known locations on a single day. This time, the Estonian Orchid Protection Club lent a helping hand—its members mapped not only Frog Orchids but also other orchid species and covered a large portion of the entire meadow area.

A substantial amount of data was gathered, and organizing it will take some time. However, some potential areas of orchid distribution were missed during the initial survey, so a smaller group revisited the meadow a week later, focusing on those locations. It turned out that in just that area, 198 individuals were found—three times more than the total number recorded in the entire meadow last year! Including the individuals found by the orchid club, it’s certain that such a high population has never before been recorded at Matsalu’s Frog Orchid habitat.

Monitoring confirms that the ongoing habitat management through grazing has been effective! It also highlights how strongly the orchid’s population fluctuates from year to year, suggesting weather plays an important role. It appears that a wet summer benefits the Frog Orchid. Fortunately, the habitat in Matsalu is large and diverse enough to support the species’ blooming even during less favorable years.