Peatland course in the Slītere National Park

On July 16 the peatland course continued in the Slītere National Park and Kaļķupe Nature Reserve where spring fens, springs were studied. In the spring seepage areas tufa formation was observed.

Also a rich fen, located at the foot of the ancient Baltic Ice Lake, was studied in the Slītere National Park. Studies were carried out also in Baži Mire and in the inter-dune mire complex. To study the development, hydrology and ecology of the interdune mires, two transects were made that started in Baži Mire and continued across the interdune mire until they ended not far from the Baltic Sea.

In both transects in the selected releves mire vegetation was studied, as well as measurement of mire water electrical conductivity, pH and temperature, peat content were carried out.

Participants of the peatland course start their studies in Baži Mire	Under the guidance of Prof. Albert Grootjans (The Netherlands) students are carrying out hydrological studies	When the methodology is known, the students independently make the measurements of water electrical conductivity, temperature and pH	Mire hydro-ecological and vegetation studies are continued in the inter-dune mires that are difficult to cross as the they still overgrow with mire vegetation

Water-lilies (Nymphaea alba, N. candida) in the inter-dune mires	Peatland course after finishing the work in the inter-dune mires	In the inter-dune mire complex a student from Latvia – Lauma Strazdiņa carries out vegetation studies	Prof. Leslaw Wolejko (Poland) and Dr. Tapani Sallantaus (Finland). Also foreign teachers have a possibility to get acquainted with new plant species that are rarities on their home countries

Utricularia intermedia	Utricularia intermedia	Drosera rotundifolia

Peatland course in Cena Mire

Peatland course in Engure Nature Park

Peatland course in the Gauja National Park

Peatland course in Finland