The project LIFE REEF, managed by the Nature Conservation Agency, carries out scientific research in the Latvian exclusive economic zone of the Baltic Sea. When surveying the shoal, the researchers concluded that the seabed in this place is drastically different from other places in the Baltic Sea, as signs similar to urban infrastructure can be seen instead of the usual rocky bed.
"The underwater structure of the Alku shoal resembles a small town. Namely, the several meter high moraine clay outcrops left by the glacier and the valleys formed between them resemble city blocks and streets. Individual high-rise buildings and wide, paved squares covered with abundant mussel groves can also be observed. Mussel groves and smaller moraine formations are popular as places of stay and feeding for the inhabitants of the city - flounder, cod, fat fish and other living organisms. In the Baltic Sea, I have not experienced such an underwater landscape and volumes anywhere else in the research so far," reveals the leading researcher of the Latvian Institute of Hydroecology, Ingrida Andersone, who has seen the underwater infrastructure with her own eyes.
Alku shoalis located near Pavilosta and is a LIFE REEF pilot territory, where the specially protected biotope of European Union importance, Rock shoals in the sea, is studied. This year, several video observations and diving works were carried out in Alku sekė to collect samples of living organisms. The works were carried out by the Latvian Institute of Hydroecology, a partner of the project and an assessor of underwater habitats.
The field work in the area of the shoal has been completed, they will be followed by the processing of the samples of living organisms collected and the assessment of the quality and sustainability of the habitat. On the other hand, the obtained underwater video material and the information shown in it will be used for the preparation of scientific grounds for determining the boundaries of the protected marine areas and for the development of a nature protection plan in order to substantiate the need for management works for the preservation of natural values.
Biotope Rock shoals in the sea (with code 1170) is one of the most remarkable and ecologically significant types of habitats in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea, which are areas of hard substrate (stones, boulders, pebbles) with sand embankments. Important places for fish spawning, juvenile development and fish feeding are formed in this habitat. Also, in places where this biotope is found under water, large-scale waterfowl feeding and concentration areas can be observed.
Lai šī tīmekļvietne darbotos, tā izmanto obligāti nepieciešamās sīkdatnes. Ar Jūsu piekrišanu papildus šajā vietnē var tikt izmantotas statistikas un sociālo mediju sīkdatnes.
