2022 in the field of nature protection in Latvia and the world has brought about changes, rapid political decisions and many still unclear issues. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has also affected nature conservation throughout the European Union (EU): the fast-moving Law on Facilitation for wind farms, including solar collectors, has been developed; under the guise of the energy crisis, approved changes to the regulations regarding felling of trees on forest lands, allowing felling of newer trees; the current system of forest compensation remains unchanged and continues to discourage forest owners. Meanwhile, the EU Green deal requires Member States to increase their Special areas of Conservation to 30% of their national land area. But in Latvia, with the active involvement of the society after several years of discussions, the lynx is to be excluded from the list of wild game species. These and other decisions have influenced and will affect natural diversity in Latvia, directly affecting the work of the Nature Conservation Agency.
Last year, nature Protection celebrated the 110 th anniversary in Latvia. This area was founded in June 1912, when Moricsala was granted its first status as a special area of conservation. Many important natural values have remained in Latvia thanks to the introduction of nature conservation practices, including the creation of 658 specially protected nature areas ~ 18% of the area of the country, where natural values are rare not only at Baltic level, but also at European level.
In addition to the annual financing from the State budget since the reorganisation of the administration in 2009, it has carried out more than 50 projects, attracting an additional EUR 75 million for nature conservation, of which ~ 70% are foreign funds. Currently, several major management activities are possible thanks to projects co-financed by different funds.
The success of conservation of natural diversity depends largely on the motivation of landowners to look after the natural values they own. Therefore, in 2022, the Board launched two new pilot programmes with partners in the LIFE-IP LatViaNature project, promoting the voluntary involvement of landowners in the conservation of biodiversity. The pilot programme “Flower Meadows” is intended for owners of permanent grasslands – meadows and pastures – enabling gradual improvement of the quality of their grassland, while receiving advice from the lawn habitat expert, as well as financial support. In turn, new co-operation models are being developed in the pilot programme “Living Forest” for the preservation of natural values in private forests. Advisory and financial support is provided to private forest owners who commit to a higher standard of conservation of natural diversity in their forests than required by legislation.
Invasive species, both plant and animal, have been identified as one of the most significant threats to biodiversity. The presence, diversity and rapid spread of these species are also confirmed by the new invasive species found last year in Latvia – freshwater jellyfish. As the administration expands its information activities, it can be seen that the knowledge and understanding of the public and landowners about measures to limit invasive species is improving. The number of reports received on the established site “Invasive species manager” more than doubled last year, reaching 3,129 reports (801 in 2021). A mobile message version has also been created for easier reporting.
With the help of the LIFE REEF project, the Nature Conservation Agency has carried out deep-sea mapping and launched the development of a single conservation plan for the seven specially protected marine Natura 2000 sites, as well as potential marine protected areas. For a more successful study and data acquisition of the round seabirds (invasive species) found in the Baltic Sea, 2000 seabirds were marked off the coast of Latvia last year, as well as in-depth study of the sea territories, which, thanks to the public involvement, have acquired new names – “Zēģelnieku sēkļi”, “Alku sēklis” and “Papes kalva”.
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