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Nature protection and biodiversity - State and impacts (Latvia)

SOER 2010 Common environmental theme (Deprecated)
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SOER Common environmental theme from Latvia
Published: 26 Nov 2010 Modified: 11 May 2020

Natura 2000 Protected Nature territories cover 12 % (or 784 300 hectares) of the territory of Latvia. There are 327 Natura 2000 Protected Nature territories for the protection of habitats and species.. Latvia’s Specially Protected Nature Territories and designated Natura 2000 sites occupy almost 19 % of its territory.

Seven Specially Protected Marine Territories have recently been established and approved in Cabinet of Ministers Regulations[1] and are now accepted as a new category in Latvia’s nature conservation system.

 

 Figure 1 MAP OF SPECIALLY PROTECTED NATURE TERRITORIES IN LATVIA



Fig1_mapSPT

Source: Nature Protection Agency of Latvia


SPECIALLY PROTECTED NATURE TERRITORIES BY CATEGORY IN LATVIA

Figure 2. A. NATURA 2000 DESIGNATED AREAS BY CATEGORY (TOTAL: 327)

Fig2_Natura2000_327

 

 

Figure 3. B. SPECIALLY PROTECTED NATURE TERRITORIES INCLUDING NATURA 2000 BY CATEGORY (TOTAL: 692)

Fig3_teritories_692

Source:
 1. Ministry of Environment of
Latvia

  - http://www.vidm.gov.lv/eng/darbibas_veidi/specially_protected_nature_territories/

 2. Nature Protection Agency of Latvia

  - http://www.daba.gov.lv/index.php?objid=816

  - http://www.daba.gov.lv/index.php?objid=959

 

There are 18 047 animal, 5 396 plant and 4 100 mushroom species in Latvia. Experts consider 907 species (about 3.3 %) to be rare and endangered, while 723 plant and animal species and 93 biotopes have been included in lists of specially protected species and habitats. The protection of species and habitats is assured in Specially Protected Nature Territories and at Natura 2000 sites and micro-reserves.

 

Figure 4

Fig4_protected_species

 

Table 1. NUMBER OF SPECIES AND NUMBER OF PROTECTED SPECIES

Total number of species

Group

Number of species

Number of protected species

Source

62

Mammals

36

26

http://www.lvgma.gov.lv/produkti/soe2001_lv/par/daba/fauna.htm

342

Birds

247

95

http://www.putni.lv/saraksti/lvpsss.xls

7

Reptiles

4

3

http://www.latvijasdaba.lv/rapuli/

13

Amphibians

7

6

http://www.latvijasdaba.lv/abinieki/

17500

Invertebrates

17396

104

http://www.lvgma.gov.lv/produkti/soe2001_lv/par/daba/fauna.htm

1735

Seed plants and ferns

1507

228

http://www.latvijasdaba.lv/augi/

514

Moss

385

129

http://biodiv.lvgma.gov.lv/cooperation/mezi/fol195495

504

Lichens

444

60

http://biodiv.lvgma.gov.lv/cooperation/mezi/fol195495

4100

Mushroom

4038

62

http://latvijas.daba.lv/augi_senes/senes/

25

Charophytes

19

6

http://priede.bf.lu.lv/grozs/LU/LU_Bio_Raksti/2005/Zviedre.pdf


Species and habitat management plans have been developed and adopted for certain species. The plans contain information about species distribution, significant areas requiring habitat protection, population of species or tendencies, influential factors and planned measures to improve the condition of the species or habitat. Endangered animals, plants and habitats are also protected outside of the protected areas. For example, protection of the wild Baltic salmon is one of a number of priority issues. Wetland ecosystems also play an important role in maintaining both the climate and the condition of water. Specific flora and fauna has developed in bogs and certain species preserved there are relics of the last glacial period around 20 000 years ago. One way in which the conditions for biodiversity are improved is by converting agricultural lands into natural areas when agricultural activity decreases.

The Nature Conservation Agency of Latvia oversees the implementation of nature protection policy in Latvia and maintains a database (geographical location, quantitative and qualitative status) of protected plants species, habitats and micro-reserves. However, the database on habitats and species has been compiled on the basis of fragmentary research. More modern data collection methods and methodological improvements are required to improve efficiency in this area.

 

Table 2. AREA OF NATURAL HABITAT TYPES AND QUALITY OF DATA ON AREA

Habitats

Quality of data on area (km²)

 

good

moderate

poor

Costal and halophytic habitats

2

107

 

Costal sand dunes and continental dunes

14

609

1

Freshwater habitats

 

 

824

Temp. heath and scrub, scleroph. scrub

 

1

14

Nat. and semi-nat. grassland formations

 

73

87

Raised bogs, mires and fens

 

1650

808

Rocky habitats and caves

 

 

1

Forests

 

2643

 


 Source: Nature Conservation Agency


 Figure 5.

Fig5_Habitats

 

As a result of climate change, a semi-enclosed sea structure and intensive shipping, invasive alien species pose an increasing risk for the marine ecosystems of the Baltic Sea.


Figure 6. FACT SHEETS ON INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES

Fig6_Alien_sp

Source: The NOBANIS fact sheets http://www.nobanis.org/Charts.asp


[1] Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia No. 17  (17.01.2010) “On Specially Protected Marine Territories”

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Filed under: species, SOER2010, biodiversity
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