The survey of the distribution and quality of habitats of European Union importance in Latvia (the Nature Census) has been completed. Its results provide the most detailed overview to date of Latvia's natural values and habitat quality. The Cabinet of Ministers has approved an informative report by the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development (VARAM) analysing the information obtained, describing the problems identified and proposing further solutions for nature conservation. Among other things, VARAM stresses the need to expand the network of specially protected nature territories (ĪADT).
Minister Inga Bērziņa: “Conserving Latvia's natural diversity is our duty to future generations and an essential precondition for sustainable development. The results of the Nature Census show that immediate and decisive action is needed. We must ensure that by 2030 at least 30% of Latvia's territory is protected, including 10% under strict protection. Only in this way will we be able to preserve our unique natural values, which are vitally important to every resident of Latvia. This can be done while reconciling economic interests with the interests of nature conservation, as well as ensuring fair compensation for landowners.”
The results of the Nature Census show that habitats of European Union (EU) importance cover 10.3% of Latvia's territory, or 670 thousand hectares. However, less than half of this area — approximately 307 thousand hectares — lies within specially protected nature territories or micro-reserves. Moreover, existing specially protected nature territories contain zones without strict protection restrictions, so not all habitat areas within the ĪADT network are fully protected.
During the Nature Census almost 1.3 million hectares were surveyed, and 58 of the 61 types of habitats of European Union importance found in Latvia were recorded. This has yielded substantial information about meadows, mires, forests, rivers and other natural values. These data serve not only as a basis for planning future nature conservation measures, but also support Latvia's effective involvement in European Union nature conservation and restoration initiatives.
The results of the Nature Census show that for 14 terrestrial habitats the protected areas are smaller than set out in the European Commission guidelines of 18 November 1997 (1). This has already triggered an infringement procedure, which points to an incomplete Natura 2000 network of sites and highlights the need to expand protected habitat areas.
In caring for Latvia's nature and its protection, it must be borne in mind that natural habitats not only provide a home for many species, but also deliver many valuable benefits from biological diversity that significantly affect our quality of life and the economy. Forests, for example, filter and purify water and reduce erosion, while grasslands and meadows are indispensable for the biological diversity of pollinators and other species. Habitats also, among other things, create opportunities for recreation and nature tourism, which promote people's physical and mental health. According to calculations by the European Environment Agency (2), the economic value of ecosystem services in the European Union reached 234 billion euros in 2019, a considerable share of which was linked to the contribution of forests and meadows. By ensuring the sustainable management of these natural systems, it is possible to preserve essential resources for future generations.
The objectives of the European Union (EU) Biodiversity Strategy provide that by 2030 at least 30% of EU territory is protected and 10% of EU territory is strictly protected. In Latvia, around 6% of the terrestrial territory is currently strictly protected.
To achieve the target of strictly protecting 10% of Latvia's territory, the informative report proposes several solutions, including creating new protected areas, strengthening protection in existing specially protected nature territories and reviewing the zoning in place. The creation of new specially protected nature territories is largely to be planned on publicly owned land, in so far as this does not conflict with the scientific rationale for establishing such territories or with the ecological requirements of habitats of EU importance.
The report also envisages improving the management of existing specially protected nature territories and promoting improvements in their quality, which would ensure the conservation of natural values in the long term. It is likewise essential to improve public understanding of the importance of natural values.
VARAM has begun work on improving the compensation system in order to ensure fair remuneration for landowners whose land is subject to restrictions on economic activity.
The Nature Census data are a significant step towards improving Latvia's nature conservation policy. The Ministry plans to continue work on implementing the measures set out in the report in cooperation with local governments and other partners.
1 European Commission guidelines of 18 November 1997, Hab.97/2, rev.4
2 Vysna, V., Maes, J., Petersen, J.E., La Notte, A., Vallecillo, S., Aizpurua, N., Ivits, E., Teller, A., Accounting for ecosystems and their services in the European Union (INCA). Final report from phase II of the INCA project aiming to develop a pilot for an integrated system of ecosystem accounts for the EU. Statistical report. Publications office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2021.