Uşava floodplains Total site surface area (ha): 677 NATURA 2000 Code: LV0536000 Site description The project site is located in the floodplains of Uşava River, western Latvia. Only meadows are included. Southern part of the site has not been drained and the Uşava River has maintained its natural bed. This part is wetter than the northern part and there are several permanent wetland patches located in the meadows. Meadows in the northern part of the site have been drained and the river has been dredged in this section. As a result, grasslands are dryer and less affected by spring floods. Some of these grasslands have been formerly ploughed or improved, but now they are completely abandonment and overgrown to a different extent. Nature values The density of the calling Crex crex* is among the highest in the western part of Latvia. The area is potential recovery site for Gallinago media in western Latvia, where it seems to be extinct. Site is a part of an IBA that meets criteria A1 for Crex crex*. Altogether site hosts 6 bird species listed in Annex I of Birds Directive and all of them are targeted by the project including 2 priority species – Crex crex* and Aquila pomarina*. Site also qualifies as pSCI containing 2 habitat types listed in Annex I of Habitats Directive and both are targeted by the project, including a priority habitat 6230* Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on silicious substrates in mountain areas. 
Please visit photo gallery, to see more pictures about nature reserve "Uşava floodplains" Nature management plan is worked out on 2005 by Mr. Elmârs Pçterhofs (REMM Ltd). Latvian online version of full text document available here Summary (in English): 28526/Uzava_ENG.pdf (70.48 KB) Publications Brouchure for stakeholders (in Latvian) available here Booklet for visitors of Uşava Floodplains - download here Online version of information boards - 1 + 1  | 
