Nature protection and biodiversity - Drivers and pressures (Latvia)

Maintaining the number of protected species, habitats and landscapes in Latvia is a priority issue. As a result of support from UNDP, the EU’S LIFE programme, EU structural funds and the Latvian Environmental Protection Fund, various conservation projects have been carried out and an infrastructure is being introduced to support sustainable tourism and environmental education in the Specially Protected Nature Territories.

On the one hand, a decrease in large-scale collective and intensive farming and industry has promoted an increase in biodiversity and the recovery of nature and water resources over the past two decades. On the other hand, there are serious concerns that industrial and agricultural development and the transformation of Specially Protected Nature Territories for development will have a negative effect on many of the biotope areas. One specific cause for concern is the destruction of coastline and highly-sensitive dune ecosystems which are essential for biodiversity. Nowadays, attempts to set up wind turbine parks or build luxury private housing in coastal areas are hotly disputed in Latvia

A recent increase in timber felling activities has already caused serious damage to forest ecosystems. Meanwhile, climate change, eutrophication and uncontrolled industrial development will cause further damage to biodiversity in the near future.

Latvia is a popular destination for some of the most environmentally-friendly forms of tourism such as cycling, canoeing, walking and swimming. Once scientific research has been conducted on environmental impact assessment and the capacity of ecosystem services these activities need to be developed.

Tourism is a growing industry and it is anticipated that in the future an increasing number of activities will be arranged in attractive, but highly-sensitive Natura 2000 areas. For this reason, an appropriate management system must be developed for Specially Protected Nature Territories to minimise the environmental impact caused by the tourist industry and others.

Some species and habitats may risk being destroyed by GMO technologies and GM crops if these are introduced into a small country like Latvia. According to the results of a public questionnaire (2008), 91 % of respondents supported the idea of Latvia as a GMO-free zone. The precautionary principle is being applied in relation to the potential introduction of GMO technologies.

In accordance with the Law on the Circulation of Genetically-Modified Organisms (2009), municipalities have the right, based on public discussions, to issue a decision to impose restrictions on the cultivation of genetically-modified crops in the territory managed by municipality. By 1 November 2010, more than 89 % of all municipalities had imposed restrictions on the cultivation of GM crops. Public discussions are continuing on this issue.

Figure 7. GENETICALLY-MODIFIED CROPS - CONTAINMENT OF CULTIVATION IN MUNICIPALITIES

 Source: Ministry of Environment – GMO-free territories in Latvia

• http://www.vidm.gov.lv/eng/darbibas_veidi/gmo/ Ministry of Agriculture  - http://www.zm.gov.lv/?sadala=1772

In order to avoid a threat to biodiversity, restrictions have been imposed on the cultivation of genetically-modified crops in Specially Protected Nature Territories[1].