The project brings together information regarding current issues and priorities for the implementation of a conservation plan for the roman snail. Since 1999, when the conservation plan was prepared, a proportion of the measures envisaged have already been implemented, while others are to be implemented in the near future. Accordingly, it is advisable to review the plan during next year and bring it up to date. The aim of the conservation plan – to prevent extinction of the species and help it regain a normal reproduction and development cycle – remains an important issue. In Latvia, the species is in danger of extinction within the next thirty years, and only a small number of individuals may live a few decades longer. The larval stage of the mussels has been observed – the glochidiae. This means that the mussels are capable of reproduction.

Project Summary for year 2002

There are 7 localities recorded in Dobele region and continued regular accounting in the permeable study plot of monitoring in the Gauja National Park in the 2002 year in the Roman Snail Monitoring Project. Two localities in Dobele region are selected as places of control counting. The densities and sizes of populations are calculated and age structure of populations is approximated. The collecting would be continued in the same work organisation and with the same year limit.