LV IBAs - Protection and management of two Important Bird Areas of Latvia LIFE00 NAT/LV/007124

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1 LV IBAs - Protection and management of two Important Bird Areas of Latvia LIFE00 NAT/LV/ Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more Contact details: Project Manager: Ilona MENDZINA Tel: Fax: ilona.mendzina@vidm.gov.lv Project description: Background The Baltic countries still harbour relatively large and intact areas of forest and wetland habitats, compared to elsewhere in Central and Western Europe. These areas remain strongholds for bird species, such as the lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina), of which Latvia holds approximately 25 % of the European population outside Russia, and black stork (Ciconia nigra). At the turn of the millenium, many of these sites suffered from inexistent or inadequate legal protection, and consequently remained vulnerable to changing practices in land use such as forestry. Objectives In order to prepare for the adhesion to the Natura 2000 Network, the Latvian Ministry of the Environment chose two sites for this LIFE-Nature project: Katlesi (12,000 ha) and Zvarde (10,000 ha). Both represented some of the largest non-fragmented areas for e.g. lesser spotted eagle and black stork in Latvia. The sites also harboured one pair each of spotted eagle (Aquila clanga) - a species for which in the European perspective it is even important to protect sites with single pairs. During the period , assessment of nature conservation values would be done at these two sites in order to develop a detailed management plan for each, outlining the actions needed for their protection and

2 management. This information would also be used to substantiate their designation as protected areas under national legislation and eventually under EU legislation. For the first time the State Forest Service would be involved in the management of protected areas in Latvia. The lack of public awareness of the conservation values of the sites was to be addressed through the production of information booklets, short versions of the management plans, a film and a web site. Actions would include the following steps in the management planning: first assessment of the nature conservation values, including ornithological inventory, involvement of stakeholders in a dialogue and discussion about the future of the areas, drafting of zonation and management plans for the areas, public discussion and negotiation with stakeholders on management plans, official approval of the management plans. Results This was the first LIFE-Nature project finalised in Latvia. The main outputs were the management plans and regulations prepared for two SPAs/pSCIs in Latvia, conform to the policy applied during the initial phase of LIFE III to accept projects from the candidate countries primarily aimed at these kinds of preparatory measures. The project was performed largely as foreseen and the preparation of management regulations for the sites was completed, although the official approval was delayed until February Information material (booklets, frequently asked questions guide for stakeholders, information panels, video, website) was produced. Thanks to the management plans and regulations prepared by the project, there is now a baseline and reference for the management of two SPAs of importance for the long-term viability of the lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina). In addition, the proper management of these sites will benefit the conservation status of the black stork (Ciconia nigra), several species of woodpeckers and other birds listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive. The two sites are important for the protection of lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina) and greater spotted eagle (A. clanga) in a European context: Latvia holds approximately % of the European population of A. pomarina (excl. Russia) and the project sites holds 1 % of the Latvian population. For A. clanga, with a total of pairs in Europe (excl. Russia), even sites with single pairs are important. Through the field inventories, done in 2002, the high ornithological values of the two project sites were confirmed: for Aquila pomarina at least 9 pairs at Zvarde and at least 10 pairs at Katlesi/Vecumi. In addition one possible breeding site for Aquila clanga was found at Katlesi/Vecumi in Furthermore, the two sites hosted 8 pairs (5 at Zvarde, 3 at Katlesi/Vecumi) of black stork (Ciconia nigra) in Other bird species with good populations within the project sites are capercallie (Tetrao urogallus), white-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos), middle spotted woodpecker (D. media), three-toed woodpecker (Piciodes tridactylus) and red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio). The sites were included in the first Latvian proposal for the Natura 2000 network, submitted in April 2004, and proposed both as SPAs and pscis (the proposal was annexed to the final report). The protection of breeding sites for Aquila pomarina was a main justification for this project, but also single pairs of the very closely related and rarer A. clanga were expected to nest in the project sites. One case of breeding was recorded in the Katlesi-Vecumi area in 2001 but it was later found to be a mixed pair of the two species. From experiences in e.g. Estonia and Belarus it appears that hybridisation is a potential

3 problem, primarily for A. clanga, but it is difficult to get an understanding of the mechanisms involved and how to tackle the threat. Hybridisation is not mentioned among the threats listed for A. clanga in the Community Species Action Plan (approved by the Ornis Committee in 1999). Environmental issues addressed: Themes Species - Birds Information - Governance - Public and Stakeholders participation Keywords conservation of genetic resources ecological assessment land use planning monitoring wildlife sanctuary decision making support public awareness campaign social participation management plan informal negotiation population dynamics Target EU Legislation Nature protection and Biodiversity Directive 79/409 - Conservation of wild birds ( ) Directive 92/43 - Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora- Habitats Directiv... Decision 93/626 - Conclusion of the Convention on Biological Diversity ( ) COM(2001)162 -"Biodiversity Action Plan for the conservation of natural resources (vol. I & II)"... COM(95) "Communication on the judicious use and conservation of wetlands" ( ) COM(98)42 -"Communication on a European Community Biodiversity Strategy" ( ) Target Habitat types Active raised bogs Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus and species of the Caricion davallianae 91D0 - Bog woodland Natura 2000 sites

4 Not applicable Beneficiaries: Coordinator Type of organisation Description Partners Ministry of Environment National authority The beneficiary was the Latvian Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development. Latvian Ornithological Society Administrative data: Project reference LIFE00 NAT/LV/ Duration 01-MAR-2001 to 29-FEB Total budget 264, EU contribution 198, Project location Associated Latvia (LV)(Latvia Latvija) Read more: Title: Putniem nozimigo vietu aizsardziba Zvardes un Katlesu mezos (in Latvian: "Protection of Important Bird Areas in Zvarde and Katlesi Forests") Editor: Latvian Ornithological Society Title: Vecumi (in Latvian and English) Editor: Latvian Ministry of Environment Title: Zvarde Forest (In Latvian and English) Editor: Latvian Ministry of Environment Title: Dabas parka Vecumi - dabas aizsardzibas plans (In Latvian: "Nature Park Vecumi - summary of management plan") Editor: Latvian Ministry of Environment

5 Leaflet Title: Dabas parka Zvardes Mezi - dabas aizsardzibas plans (in Latvian: "Nature Park Zvardes Forest - summary of management plan") Editor: Latvian Ministry of Environment No of pages: 8 Project web site Project web site Publication: Guidelines-Manual Title: Ko velas noskaidrot zemes ipasnieks mikroliegumos, ipasi aizsargajamas dabas teritorijas, juras piekraste, upju un ezeru aizsargjoslas (in Latvian: "FAQ guide to stake-holders") Year: 2004 Editor: Latvian Ministry of Environment No of pages: 44 Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more