Management plan for Veseta Floodplain Mire

Plants: Veseta Floodplain Nature Reserve includes valuable transition mire and spring fen habitats that is a holds a high diversity of orchid species and bryophytes. This is the habitat for the largest population of Saxifraga hirculus in Latvia and Hamatocaulis vernicosus – species of habitats Directive Annex II. In the territory 18 protected vascular plant species and 10 bryophyte species were discovered but the total number of vascular plants reaches 325 species and 112 bryophytes. In 18 protected species of EU importance and Latvia are listed.

Birds: This is a relatively small area that can not be a habitat for numerous bird species. Still, here several bird species characteristic for floodplain habitats occur. Also wet forests are suitable for bird species. Several pairs of Pernis apivorus, Grus grus, Porzana porzana, Circus aeruginosus breed here. In total 13 bird species of EU importance were found in the site.

Invertebrates: Due to the great diversity of habitats there are many invertebrate species, from which 14 are protected species of Latvia. From them 3 are Habitats Directive Annex II species: Ophiogomphus cecilia and Lycaena dispar, but in the river Unio crassus was found. In 2005 in the forests Prionus coriarius was found that is the second locality of the species in Latvia.

Mammals: Species Habitats Directive Annex II and IV Lutra lutra and Castor fiber occur in the site that has here very suitable habitats. Near the river 4 protected bat species of Latvia were discovered. Footprints of Lynx lynx and Canis lupus were observed.

Habitats: In total 8 habitats of Habitats Directive Annex I and 3 protected habitats of Latvia are known in the Project site, from them 3 are priority ones (91D0*, 9080*, 9010*). The most valuable habitat here are spring fens, although forests, transition mires (7140) and floodplain meadows occur as well.

Factors that negatively influence site:

1. Overgrowing of transition mires and spring fens by shrubs and trees;
2. Overgrowing of floodplains by shrubs and tall vascular plant species;
3. Earlier forest drainage carried out in the project territory and outside;
4. Change of the Veseta River bed in 19th century that can not be evaluated as totally a negative influence as in the new part natural river meanders and where also habitats of EU importance occur. In the old-river beds many protected species occur.

Management actions are subordinated to the short-term aims for the protection of the territory. In total for their realization 22 actions are planned from which one of the main is the management of transition mires and spring fens. The others include setting up information signs and boards, publishing of informative materials.

Zonation of the territory: Not necessary.

Cultural and historical objects from the II World War.