Every year, staff of AS “Latvijas valsts meži” (LVM) identify new sites of protected species, nesting and lekking sites of protected birds, and various habitats of European Union importance across the territory managed by LVM. In 2023, LVM environmental experts and environmental planning specialists not only recorded new sites of rare species in state forests, but also continued monitoring protected species in order to secure favourable living conditions for these and other species in the long term, thereby promoting biological diversity.
In 2023, the LVM GEO database was supplemented with a total of 6 295 newly recorded sites of rare and specially protected plant, fungus, lichen, invertebrate and vertebrate species in the territory managed by LVM, bringing the total number of records of rare and protected species logged by the company's environmental experts to more than 82.7 thousand.
Successes in bird monitoring
Significant populations of protected bird species nest in the territory managed by LVM, such as the lesser spotted eagle, the golden eagle, the white-tailed eagle, the osprey, the black stork and the capercaillie. The results of the monitoring carried out by LVM make it possible to judge the changes, development trends and total numbers of these seven species' populations in Latvia.
Positive trends can be seen in the nesting dynamics of several large birds of prey. For example, last year saw a continued increase in the number of pairs in the white-tailed eagle population nesting in areas managed by LVM, reflected also in the largest number of occupied territories known to date – 108. The greatest number of such territories was in the Dienvidkurzeme region – 41, and the Dienvidkurzeme region also had the largest number of successful nests – 26.
The year 2023 was notable in that two young eagles were found in one of the successful nests of the protected golden eagle. Since 2001 this is only the eighth case of two young eagles in a single nest. Golden eagles usually raise one chick.
In 2023, a total of 444 large nests were found on land held by LVM, and in 144 of these nests the nesting of specially protected bird species was confirmed. In addition, 8 nesting sites were found in tree cavities, where specially protected owl and woodpecker species nest.
To protect the nesting sites of protected bird species, LVM both initiates the creation of new micro-reserves in the manner laid down by law and establishes LVM-designated areas for habitat protection, surrounded by buffer zones in which time restrictions on forestry work during the nesting period are enforced.
Rare fungi and plants
The year 2023 also brought notable finds of various rare fungi in state forests. Last year in Dienvidlatgale, in one of the habitats of European Union importance, LVM environmental experts recorded the first site of the shady shield Pluteus umbrosus. It is a small cap fungus that inhabits fallen deciduous trees, mainly oaks; in rare cases the species has also been recorded on dead conifers. Slightly more than 20 sites of the species are currently known in Latvia, and this is the first known observation of the species in Latgale. The species is included in Latvia's list of specially protected species.
Among fungi, the most significant finds of last year are Junghuhnia pseudozilingiana, Flaviporus citrinellus, the saffron polypore Hapalopilus croceus, Asterodon ferruginosus, the hen of the woods Grifola frondosa and Sceletocutis stellae.
In 2023, a plant that is rare in Latvia – the woolly buttercup Ranunculus lanuginosus – was observed far more often in LVM forests. Last year 181 new records of this species were made, mostly in the forests of Dienvidkurzeme and Dienvidlatgale, bringing the total number of sites to 294. The woolly buttercup is a perennial herb. It forms groups and large stands in broadleaved and broadleaved-coniferous forests, in mixed woodland, in rich moist forest and, more rarely, in dry rich forest. In the Kalupe forest tract, for example, the species occurs not only within the established micro-reserves but has also spread into neighbouring stands of various ages, into roadside ditches, onto compartment lines and even into clear-fell areas. The species is included in Latvia's list of specially protected species.
Mosses and lichens
The information in the LVM database was supplemented most of all with species observed last year that are characteristic of natural forest habitats. The most frequently recorded were mosses – Crossocalyx hellerianus and Odontoschisma denudatum, which were found in all regions of Latvia. Less frequently found were mosses such as Trichocolea tomentella, Lejeunea cavifolia, Bazzania trilobata, Geocalyx graveolens and Liochlaena lanceolata.
Among lichens, the most frequently recorded were the arthonias: Arthonia spadicea, Arthonia leucopellea and Arthonia vinosa. Comparatively often, but only in Vidzeme and Kurzeme, the bloody heart lichen Mycoblastus sanguinarius was recorded.
Conserving natural diversity is an integral part of forest management planning and of the day-to-day organisation of forest work. Regular environmental monitoring provides the baseline information that makes it possible to track whether the environmental objectives set are being achieved and, where necessary, to justify changes in forest management practice in order to reduce its impact on the environment. Since 2011, the results of environmental monitoring have been compiled in the annual LVM Environmental Report, which forms part of the forest management plan and can be viewed on the LVM website.