In the autumn of 2024, the first works began on one of the largest mire restoration projects, “Restoration of mire ecosystems in specially protected nature areas”, which is being implemented with European Union (EU) co-financing by AS “Latvijas valsts meži” (LVM) in cooperation with the Nature Conservation Agency (DAP). Over the course of the project, which runs until the end of 2029, the management and restoration of habitats associated with mire ecosystems will take place across an area of at least 1500 hectares, with the aim of improving the quality of protected habitats of EU importance and thereby supporting the conservation of biological diversity in the long term.

Protected habitats will be improved using forestry methods in seven specially protected nature areas (ĪADT). LVM will carry out works in the “Raķupes ieleja”, “Kārķu purvs”, “Paņemūnes meži”, “Palšu purvs” and “Supes purvs” nature reserves, covering a total area of at least 1125 ha, while DAP will work in Ķemeri National Park and Gauja National Park across a total area of at least 375 hectares.

“Mire ecosystem restoration measures on such a scale will be carried out in Latvia within a single project for the first time. We will undertake practical works across an area of at least 1500 hectares, but a larger territory will benefit overall.

We will mainly work on measures to stabilise the hydrological regime in mires and bog woodlands where these have been considerably degraded by drainage, because an optimal amount of water is decisive for the long-term conservation of mire ecosystems. Habitats of good and excellent quality are a prerequisite for providing a living environment for both common and rare plants and animals, and mires also play a considerable role in the accumulation of greenhouse gases.

This project will be an excellent example of professional nature conservation, because we will be putting the guidance of species and habitat experts into practice using classic, everyday forestry methods. Once the project has been implemented, we will be able to share the knowledge and skills gained so that others can also carry out similar mire ecosystem restoration work in the future,” says Helmuts Hofmanis, environmental project manager at LVM.

To involve the public, extensive public information and education activities are planned, along with the construction of a nature trail in one of the mire areas, which will be specially adapted for various groups in society, including people with a range of functional impairments.

The areas chosen for the project were affected by economic activity in the second half of the last century – they are drained and partly worked-out peat extraction sites. As the hydrological regime changes, the functions of the mire are adversely affected, and with them the habitats of various species.

Each of the mires included in the project is unique, so, following the guidance of species and habitat experts as well as hydrology specialists, various biotechnical measures will be combined at each site: the removal of drainage ditches or a substantial restriction of how they work, and the clearing, thinning or diversification of trees and shrubs that are not characteristic of mire habitats, all of which will together help to achieve the aim of the project.

Mires are one of Latvia's natural riches, able to provide ecosystem services that only they can offer. Mires cover 10-15% of Latvia's territory and most of them are specially protected habitats of Latvian and EU importance.

Mires are a unique habitat for plants and animals. Their characteristic microclimate, poor soil and low temperatures provide a home for plants and animals that are adapted to these environmental conditions alone. Among the most distinctive mire plants are the sundews – insectivorous plants. Various rare species of molluscs, insects and birds are also found in mires. In spring and autumn, mires are an important resting place for migrating waterfowl.

Restored mire ecosystems are a step towards achieving the shared climate neutrality goals of Latvia and the EU. Natural mires play a considerable role in the accumulation of GHG: mire vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and, through various biological processes, locks carbon away in peat.

Project No. 6.1.1.7/1/24/I/001 “Restoration of mire ecosystems in specially protected nature areas” is being implemented under specific support objective 6.1.1, “Mitigating the economic, social and environmental consequences of the transition to climate neutrality in the most affected regions”, of the EU cohesion policy programme for 2021–2027. The total funding for the project is 7 058 824 euros, comprising 6 000 000 euros from the Just Transition Fund and 1 058 824 euros in state budget co-financing.

The Just Transition Fund is a financial instrument that helps EU Member States implement the European Green Deal, which aims to achieve EU climate neutrality by 2050.