To maintain the forest, improve the forest stand’s capacity for regeneration and preserve natural values, SIA “Rīgas meži” plans to begin forestry work in Stopiņi Parish, Ropaži Municipality, at the end of January.
The work will take place in the forest area between the Jugla paper mill village, Upeskalni, the “Ulubele” animal shelter, Līči, Dzidriņas, along the P4 road (Riga – Ērgļi) and the “Baltais krusts” memorial – in the Līči compartment of the Jugla Forest District managed by “Rīgas meži” (compartments 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239 and 240).
Before logging begins, “Rīgas meži” provides information on the planned work and its objectives:
– Objectives of the work: forest maintenance and landscape shaping; forest regeneration by encouraging the natural seeding of new pine trees; preservation of natural values, as well as mushroom and berry picking opportunities; development and enhancement of recreational opportunities.
– Planned timing of the work: Late January 2024 – end of 2024.
– Area of the work: approximately 91 ha.
– Planned sequence of work: preparation of forest roads for transport; clearing of undergrowth; tree felling; removal of timber; partial collection and removal of branches; maintenance of road infrastructure. The work may take place simultaneously or may be temporarily suspended due to unsuitable weather conditions.
Regarding the Stopiņi forest and its maintenance
Forest maintenance work will be carried out in accordance with regulatory enactments and the company’s “Forest Management Plan” (MAP), which prioritises biologically valuable areas, as well as nature and recreation zones.
Furthermore, forest maintenance will be carried out in accordance with the landscape ecological plan and site design plan developed for this area. When performing the work, the principles of responsible and sustainable forest management, as defined by the international certificates awarded to “Rīgas meži”, will be followed.
Prior to forest maintenance, a functional zoning of the forest stand was created specifically for this territory – biologically valuable areas, their buffer zones, scenically valuable areas and functional zoning – a walking area near “Ulubele”. The landscape design plan zoning highlights landscape elements, takes into account forest values, buffer zones adjacent to the forest, recreational opportunities, etc.
Both this forest and the forests in the vicinity of Stopiņi are special in that they contain a relatively high number of biologically valuable forest patches and a popular walking area in the forest massif near the “Ulubele” animal shelter. This area is a favourite for nature enthusiasts, lovers of both active and quiet leisure, and part of the territory is used for walks by “Ulubele” residents.
The forest massif also features particularly valuable old and large-dimension trees, as well as hollow and ecological trees. During maintenance work, special attention will be paid to these; for instance, a protective “space” will be created around them, and the surroundings will be cleared to promote the growth of these trees and to provide a more engaging view for forest visitors.
Before logging begins, “Rīgas meži” provides information on the planned work and the functional zoning of the forest stands
In accordance with the objectives for forest stand maintenance, two types of felling are intended:
– Selection felling: this is carried out to provide better conditions and more light for young trees and to encourage the natural regeneration of the forest; in part of the territory, the forest stand will be evenly thinned, including the creation of openings of up to 0.2 ha. In these areas, unsuitable trees and bushes will be felled. For three of the openings (compartments 233 and 237), locations were chosen where they had already begun to form naturally.
– Thinning felling: this is carried out to promote tree growth and improve the composition and health of the forest stand, which is why unsuitable or obstructive trees are removed (to improve the forest stand’s composition and the growing conditions for the remaining trees, ensuring that the basal area (density) of the forest stand is not reduced below the minimum threshold).
Functional zoning of the forest stand:
– Biologically valuable area: established with the aim of protecting and preserving forest stands with high biological value that meet the characteristics of old-growth and natural boreal forest habitats. A scenically valuable area, mostly consisting of old and sparse pine forests on dunes, with practically no undergrowth or invasive species. In accordance with the MAP and the mapping of natural habitats, significant restrictions and prohibitions on economic activity are set here. Tree felling will only be performed when dangerous trees must be removed or if it is necessary for infrastructure maintenance, following prior consultation with a nature conservation specialist.
In addition to this, after an on-site evaluation, it was decided to create three small openings in the tree canopy – two in compartment 237 and one in compartment 233, as well as to perform uniform thinning on approximately one-third of compartment 238 on its NE edge, with the aim of un-shading the older generation of pines.
– Buffer zone area for biologically valuable patches: here, the aim of the work is to maintain a protective zone around the biologically valuable forest patches and not to degrade their value. This zone is established in areas where natural forest habitats are concentrated, where the logging plan is evaluated and recommendations for preserving natural values are provided by a nature conservation specialist.
– Scenically valuable or recreational area: established because it plays a significant role in terms of non-timber forest values. Specifically, these are scenically significant and beautiful places, and it is a popular area for leisure, berry picking and mushroom picking. Therefore, the goal of the work is to preserve these non-timber values and their accessibility to the public in the long term.
Forestry work in this area will be particularly gentle. Namely, to promote the better natural regeneration of pine and ensure the natural renewal of the forest stand in the long term, irregular and regular-shaped openings will be created through selection felling.
– Walking area near “Ulubele”: this area has been designated with the goal of both maintaining the forest and making it as suitable as possible for walks with the residents of “Ulubele”. The work is planned to be implemented in such a way that, as much as possible, walks will not be disrupted. However, people are urged to be cautious and to keep a close eye on their four-legged friends.
Thinning felling in this area is planned to ensure optimal growing conditions for the strongest trees – providing more light and space to develop a forest stand that is stronger and more resilient against external environmental and biological factors (windfall, snow damage, pests). Undergrowth bushes will be cleared here and the forest will be evenly thinned to encourage tree growth and forest stand regeneration, as well as to improve the composition and health of the forest stand.
During the work, please observe safety requirements and movement restrictions, and do not approach the machinery!