EUROPA - Underwater Fauna & Flora

Liechtenstein is contributing to this year’s Europa stamps with two photographs of its underwater world. Each year, the member states of the Organisation of European Postal Organisations (PostEurop) issue their own stamps on a common theme. The “EUROPA - Underwater Fauna and Flora” miniature sheet (face value: CHF 1.90 each) is issued as a se-tenant of the two motifs.

The St. Katrinabrunna nature reserve in the southernmost municipality of Balzers served as the backdrop for the two photographs. The nature and recreation area with two ponds was created by the municipality in 1973. Endangered plant and animal species have found a habitat there.
 

This includes the fish named “Egli”, known outside the Swiss-speaking world as the river perch. It is found in a wide variety of waters in Liechtenstein. It is easily recognisable thanks to the five to six dark transverse bands on its body and its spiny dorsal fin. Among other things, the second photo shows the underwater leaves of an aquatic plant named floating pondweed and those leaves that have not yet made it to the surface. This plant serves as a hiding place for small fish and provides the pond with oxygen.