Last year, more deposits of rare species were recorded in the national forests than the year before

In 2023, the LVM GEO database was supplemented with a total of 6,295 new deposits of rare and specially protected species of plants, mushrooms, lichens, invertebrates and vertebrates recorded in the territory managed by LVM, and the company’s environmental experts already counted more than 82.7 thousand registrations of rare and protected species.

Bird monitoring success

In the area managed by LVM, significant populations of protected bird species nest, such as the little eagle, golden eagle, sea eagle, osprey, black stork, osprey. The results of the monitoring carried out by LVM allow us to judge the population changes, development trends and the total number of these seven species in Latvia.

Positive trends can be observed in the nesting dynamics of several large birds of prey.

For example, last year the number of sea eagle nesting pairs in the areas managed by LVM continued to increase, which is also characterized by the largest number of inhabited territories known so far – 108. The largest number of such territories was in the South Kurzeme region – 41, the South Kurzeme region also had the highest number of successful nests – 26.

The year 2023 is notable for the fact that two young eagles were found in one of the successful nests of protected rock eagles. Since 2001, this is only the eighth case with two young eagles in one nest. Golden eagles usually raise one young.

In 2023, a total of 444 large nests were found on lands owned by LVM, of which nesting of specially protected bird species was found in 144 nests. In addition, 8 nesting sites were found in tree hollows where specially protected species of owls and woodpeckers nest.

In order to protect the nesting sites of protected bird species, LVM promotes the creation of new micro-reserves in accordance with the regulations, and creates areas determined by LVM for the protection of habitats, and around them – buffer zones, in which time limits for forestry work during the nesting period are ensured.

Rare mushrooms and plants

In 2023, there were also significant finds of various rare mushrooms in the national forests. Last year, in Southern Latgale, one of the biotopes of European Union importance, LVM environmental experts found the first shady roof Pluteus umbrosus find It is a small cap fungus that lives in deciduous trees, mostly oak, in the fall, in rare cases the species has also been found on dead conifers. Currently, slightly more than 20 deposits of the species are known in Latvia, and this is the first known observation of the species in Latgale. The species is included in the Latvian list of specially protected species.

Among the mushrooms, the most significant finds of the past year are the pine jungunia Junghuhnia pseudozilingianalemon-yellow anthrodite Flaviporus citrinellusbright golden pore Hapalopilus croceusstriated rust fungus Asterodon ferruginosusthe branched cheremene Grifola frondosa and starry sky Sceletocutis stellae.

In 2023, a rare plant found in Latvia – wild gundega – was observed much more often in LVM forests Ranunculus lanuginosus. Last year, 181 new records of this species were made, mostly in the forests of South Kurzeme and South Latgale, thus increasing the total number of finds to 294. Gundega in Villain is a perennial herb. It forms groups and large stands in broad-leaved and broad-leaved-coniferous forests, brushwood, heather, rarely in thickets. For example, the massive species of the Kalupe forest is found not only in the created micro-reserves, but also spread in nearby forest stands of different ages, in roadside ditches, on neighborhood paths and even in clearings. The species is included in the Latvian list of specially protected species.

The information in the LVM database has been updated the most about species observed last year, which are characteristic of natural forest habitats. The most recorded moss is Heller’s sedge leaf Crossocalyx hellerianus and the bare roundleaf Odontoschisma denudatum, found in all regions of Latvia. On the other hand, such mosses as tuberous fringe leaf are rarely found Trichocolea tomentellaa double-page spread Lejeunea cavifoliathree-sided bacania Bazzania trilobatathe fragrant earthworm Geocalyx graveolens and a smooth beaked beak Liochlaena lanceolata.

Among the lichens, artonias are more often found: chestnut-brown artonia Arthonia spadiceacat’s paw artonia Arthonia leucopellea and burgundy artonia Arthonia vinosa. Relatively often, but only in Vidzeme and Kurzeme, blood-red mycoblast is recorded Mycoblastus sanguinarius.

Preservation of natural diversity is an integral part of forest management planning and the organization of daily forest work. Regular environmental monitoring provides basic information that allows you to follow whether the set environmental goals are being achieved and, if necessary, justify changes in forest management practices 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 is a part of the forest management plan and which can be found on the LVM website.