GRASSLANDS OF LATVIA
STATUS AND
CONSERVATION OF SEMI-NATURAL GRASSLANDS
EUROPEAN
GRASSLANDS. REPORT NR.6
2003
Royal Dutch Society for Nature Conservation
Latvian Fund
for Nature
Table of Contents
General
introduction in semi-natural grassland mapping projects………………3
Grassland
biodiversity in general…………………………………………………...6
Agri-environmental
measures…………………………………………………….. 18
Working
methods…………………………………………………………………...20
Classification of
grasslands………………………………………………………...23
Mapped semi-natural
grassland habitats in Latvia………………………………42
Management
recommendations……………………………………………………43
Annexes
Figures Nr. 1 – Nr.
15
Maps Nr. 1 – Nr. 6
“Grasslands of Latvia”
is the sixth report in the series of Publications National Grassland Inventory
Projects in Central and Eastern Europe.
Already published
reports in the programme “Joint European Grassland Inventory Project” are:
Report Nr.1
“Proceedings of Technical Workshop National Grassland Inventory, Bratislava,
1999”;
Report Nr.2 “Inventory
of Semi-Natural Grasslands in Estonia”, 2001, Estonian Fund for Nature;
Report Nr.3 “Natural
and Semi-Natural Grasslands in Hungary”, 2001, Authority for Nature
Conservation, Ministry of Environment, Hungary;
Report Nr.4
“Grasslands of Slovakia”, 2002, Daphne, Institute of Applied Ecology, Slovakia;
Report Nr.5
“Grasslands of Slovenia”, 2003, society for natural History in Slovenia;
Copies of these
reports can be obtained from website: www.Veenecology.nl
Report compiled by:
Ivars Kabucis
Solvita Rûsiòa
Peter Veen
Published by
© Latvian Fund for Nature
2003
Maps:
Baiba Strazdina
This
project was funded by the PIN-MATRA programme of the Ministries of Agriculture,
Nature and Food Quality and Foreign Affairs
Project partner in the
Netherlands Royal Dutch Society for Nature Conservation
General introduction in semi-natural grassland mapping projects
In the framework of
the Dutch Program International Nature Management (PIN-MATRA) semi-natural
grassland projects were established in EC pre-accession countries by the Royal
Dutch Society for Nature Conservation in close collaboration with local
partners like ministries for environment and agriculture, other governmental
bodies, scientific institutes, directorates of National Parks and
non-governmental organisations. Main goal of these projects is to develop a
national Geographical Information System (GIS) database concerning biodiversity
aspects for semi-natural grassland ecosystems in Central – and Eastern European
Countries in order to facilitate the input of biodiversity data in policy
making processes like the designation of the Natura 2000 network, the
preparation of agri-environmental schemes and the assessment of environmental
impacts on project development in the rural areas. Also the database will be a
flexible tool for a selection of so-called Important Plant Areas.
Semi-natural
grasslands belong to the most valuable ecosystems within the agricultural
landscapes and are a result of stable agricultural management over centuries by
using the grasslands as hayfields or as pasture fields. As a result of this
stable management the grassland ecosystem is well developed and characteristic
for the bio-geographical region. Also typical for semi-natural grasslands is
the low input of nutrients in the grassland ecosystems, which results in a
rather low annual biomass production. As a result of this, less competitive
grassland species are able to survive in these grasslands. Last but not least, semi-natural
grasslands need management by continuation of farming traditions like pasturing
and/or cutting of grasslands. If the semi-natural grasslands are not managed in
the proper way, for instance by land abandonment or over-grazing, the
biodiversity of the grassland community will decrease by development of shrub
encroachment or dominance of some competitive grassland species.
The national
semi-natural grassland mapping projects follow generally speaking a six step
approach as was defined during the technical workshop on national grassland
inventory in Bratislava in 1999 (Veen en Seffer, 1999):
1.
by satellite
image processing the permanent grassland complexes will be identified as well
as the boundaries of the complexes;
2.
in the screening
phase all the potential sites are globally screened by grassland specialists on
actual agricultural use and other relevant issues like land abandonment. Also
the field research areas will be defined in this phase taking into account the
position of the grasslands in the national bio-geographical units and variation
in abiotic conditions like climatic factors and soil types.
3.
preparation of
national vegetation mapping units in order to reach comparative outputs in the
project by the different researchers. The vegetation units are described by
selection of so called indicating species which can give an indication of the
development of the vegetation at a local site. The selection of the indicating
species is based on existing knowledge concerning threatened and endangered species,
endemic species and species which reflect the environmental conditions of the
grasslands, for instance for nutrient input, continuity in management, water
management and others. In some countries even all grassland species are mapped
within the designated sites.
4.
During the
mapping phase, the selected semi-natural grasslands are mapped in the field by
mapping the different vegetation units, listing the species and drawing the
boundaries of homogenic vegetation’s or mosaics of vegetation’s. For this purpose,
the national project co-ordinators develop a manual for field mapping
activities in which is included the system of identification of vegetation
mapping units and of indicating species and other requirements like information
regarding management of the sites and soil type.
5.
On the base of
all the outputs of the previous phases, the GIS database can be build up,
including also information for land management, land use, history of land use,
specific threats like land abandonment. The boundaries of the mapped vegetation
units are digitised and stored also in the GIS. For reaching compatibility
which other geographical information systems on the national level, in most
countries national digital maps/satellite images are used as a background layer
in the database.
6.
Based on the
information the project output exists of a flexible database which is available
for policy makers and other specialists. The results of the project are
interpreted and recommendations for protection and management are described.
The results of the project will be disseminated by organising workshops and
other activities.
Semi-natural
grasslands can also provide an important habitat for other groups of species.
For example, for butterflies 65% of the European Red List Butterfly species live
in grassland habitats which are used for traditional farming (Van Swaay and
Warren, 1999). Semi-natural grasslands can have also an important function for
birds like the breeding birds Corn crake, Lesser Grey Shrike, Lesser Spotted
Eagle, Red Footed Falcon and White Stork which have strong populations in the
Central and Eastern European Countries compared with the Western European
Countries (Tucker and Evans, 1997).
This Latvian
semi-natural grassland report is the sixth in a sere of reports, which will be
published, in the coming period. It is planned that these grassland inventory
projects in Central and Eastern European Countries will be finalised with a
multi-country synthesis report in order to reach sustainable conditions for
protection and management over all the countries. A preliminary assessment
proved already that 12,3% of the total agricultural lands in Central – and
Eastern European Countries are identified to be important as for semi-natural
grassland (Veen and others in Brouwer, Baldock and la Chapelle, 2001).
Peter Veen
General Project
co-ordinator Royal Dutch Society for Nature Conservation
The Netherlands
Literature:
-
Van Swaay, C. and
M.Warren, 1999, Red Data Book of European Butterflies (Rhopalocera),
Strasbourg, Council of Europe, Nature and Environment, Vol.99
-
Veen, P.H. and
J.Seffer, 1999, Proceedings of the Workshop National Grassland Inventory,
KNNV/Daphne, Bratislava, Slovakia
-
Tucker, G.M. and
M.I.Evans, 1997, Habitats for Birds in Europe. A conservation Strategy for
wider Environment. Birdlife, UK. Birdlife Conservation Series No.6
-
Veen, P.H. and
others in: Brouwer, F., D.Baldock and C.la Chapelle, 2001, The Relation between
Agriculture and Nature Management, Conference, Wassenaar (NL), 22/24 January
2001
Grassland
biodiversity in general[1]
Strategy for biodiversity
protection
Meadows and pastures cover 33 %
of the agricultural area in Latvia. These ecosystems are dependent on a
periodical management by farmers and others. Meadows and pastures are important
also as the main components of the characteristic mosaic landscape over large
parts of Latvia. A large part of these meadows and pastures were used
intensively during the socialist time and also reversion for some period of
pastures and meadows in arable fields was quite common. A part from these
intensively used grasslands, also extensively used grasslands exist in Latvia
which are used as hayfields of pastures over decades and more. These
semi-natural grassland ecosystems are rich in plant and animal diversity and
they contain one-third of all vascular plant and fern species in Latvia. About
40% of the rare and endangered plant species are dependent on habitats of
grasslands. Many bird species nest and feed in grasslands. In official statistics
of land use, semi-natural grasslands are not identified separately. In this
project, the mapping and the characterisation of these semi-natural grassland
complexes was the prime task to do, because these grasslands need attention in
the framework of designation of Natura 2000 network and the implementation of
agri-environmental schemes in Latvia.
As mentioned before,
semi-natural grasslands are restricted till specific locations in Latvia like
in river valleys, peat lands and coastal zones. On the contrary, on fertile
soils these grasslands were often changed and ploughed. Also, semi-natural
grasslands were drained to reduce the groundwater table. As an impact of these
changes in land use, the biological diversity decreased and several grassland species
became rare in the past.
Objectives for semi-natural
grasslands in Biodiversity Strategy focussed on protection and management of
these grasslands:
-
Develop a network of protected grasslands with the highest biological value,
including grassland communities with nationally and regionally rare and
protected species and integrate this network into physical planning.
-
Involve grassland owners in management, as specified in the European Union
Regulation EEC 1257/99 for implementation of agri-environmental schemes.
-
Inform the public on the biological diversity value of grasslands and methods
for their conservation.
Several
semi-natural grassland complexes are under the process of overgrowing by shrubs
and tall herbs due to the bad present economic situation in agriculture at the
moment. The dry grasslands with a low productivity have been abandoned first,
followed by the wet grasslands. In nature reserves and other protected areas,
overgrowth of grasslands occurred due to a loss of an active management. The
coastal meadows are one of the rarest habitats in Latvia and are found in both
inside and outside protected areas. However, since the owners of the sites are
no longer involved in agriculture the grasslands are overgrowing with reed (Phragmites
communis). It is expected that afforestation of some agricultural land can
further dwindle the extension of semi-natural grasslands.
Objectives for semi-natural
grasslands in Biodiversity Strategy focussed on impact assessment and
monitoring of semi-natural grassland ecosystems:
-
Prevent overgrowing of semi-natural meadows and pastures.
-
Conduct an environmental impact assessment for the afforestation programme,
particularly considering the impact on conservation of valuable grasslands.
-
Promote suitable meadow management in protected areas.
-
Promote monitoring of grassland management regimes. Optimise management methods
for various grassland types and indicator species, to facilitate assessment of
meadow condition by landowners and agricultural specialists.
Semi-natural
grassland species are adopted on low productive ecosystems with an high light
impact on the plant species itself. Grazing, mowing, trampling etc are
instruments to reach the open growing conditions. If these impacts on the
plants and animals do not exist longer, the species cannot survive over a
longer period.
Objectives for semi-natural
grasslands in Biodiversity Strategy focussed on conservation of plant and
animal species of semi-natural grassland ecosystems:
-
Maintain the characteristic plant and animal communities of semi-natural
grasslands.
In recent years, the
agricultural production has been decreased. In 1995, only 15 % of the
agricultural land was used for market-oriented agricultural purposes. However,
at the moment farms utilising more intensive production methods have been
stabilised. This seems to be especially the case on the Zemgale Plain and on
parts of the Coastal Plain around, for example, around Riga and Ventspils.
Objectives for semi-natural
grasslands in Biodiversity Strategy focussed on conservation of rural
landscapes:
- Maintain the characteristic
habitat mosaic of rural landscapes.
-
Implement the European Union EEC 1257/99
-
Implement and popularise the Code of Good Agricultural Practices
-
Promote diversity of land use in rural landscapes.
- Preserve individual trees and shrubs, and
groups of trees and shrubs, on agricultural land.
-
Preserve large field stones and their groups in fields.
-
In large open agricultural landscapes, create protection belts utilising local
tree species.
-
Popularise the importance of landscape elements in rural areas, to encourage
landowners in establishment or maintenance of roadsides with trees, hedgerows
and ponds.
Conservation
of grasslands should be an integral part of agricultural management. Intensive
agricultural activity should be balanced with traditional management of
grasslands, which favour biological diversity.
Many
grasslands with high biological value are overgrowing, since hay collection is
not economically feasible due to their low productivity. Therefore, a subsidy
system is required for management of meadows with high biological value.
Occasionally, particularly in eastern Latvia, hay is regularly collected in
small, usually drained, fens.
Objectives for semi-natural grasslands
in Biodiversity Strategy focussed on management of semi-natural grasslands:
-
Continuity in hay collection on semi-natural meadows.
-
Promote hay collection in specific wet areas, river and lake plains, and
traditionally used fens.
-
Prevent ploughing of traditionally used grasslands.
-
Prevent drainage of grasslands of high biological importance.
-
Develop fertilisation application schemes based on up take of nutrients by
saving the low natural production of the grasslands.
-
On meadows of high biological value, prevent fertiliser use and other
cultivation improvements.
-
Protect individual trees and shrubs in meadows and pastures.
For
a long term strategy the Biodiversity Strategy has been focussed on issues like
continuity in traditional management.Objectives for semi-natural grasslands in
Biodiversity Strategy focussed on long term management are:
-
Continue traditional management of farm pastures.
- At least partly, renew pasture land use in
some locations: juniper stands, forest pastures, river and lake plains, and
fens.
- Establish pastures on the steepest slopes of
hills, lake depressions, river valleys, and on poor and/or calcareous soils.
Implementation of
Natura 2000 sites
Several
grassland types listed in the Annex I of EU Habitat Directive are found in
Latvia (Table 1)
Table 1. List of the EU Habitat Directive Annex I grassland habitats present in Latvia
|
|
Code |
P |
HabiTaT |
|
1 |
1630 |
* |
Boreal Baltic coastal meadows |
|
2 |
2130 |
* |
Fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation (grey dunes) |
|
3 |
2330 |
|
Inland dunes with open with Corynephorus
and Agrostis grasslands |
|
4 |
6110 |
* |
Rupicolous calcareous or basophilic grasslands of the Alysso-Sedion
albi |
|
5 |
6120 |
* |
Xeric sand calcareous grasslands |
|
6 |
6210 |
|
Semi-natural dry grasslands on calcareous substrates (Festuco Brometalia)(*important orchid
sites) |
|
7 |
6230 |
* |
Species-rich Nardus
grasslands, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas,
in continental Europe) |
|
8 |
6270 |
* |
Fennoscandian lowland species-rich dry to mesic grasslands |
|
9 |
6410 |
|
Molinia meadows on
chalk and clayey-siltladen soils (Molinion
caerueae) |
|
10 |
6430 |
|
Eutrophic tall herbs |
|
11 |
6450 |
|
Northern boreal alluvial meadows |
|
12 |
6510 |
|
Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus
pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis) |
|
13 |
7210 |
* |
Calcareous fens with Cladium
mariscus and Carex davalliana |
A first screening of management
needs of potential Natura 2000 sites has been executed in Latvia. Table 2
presents the outcome of this screening phase.
Table 2: Management needs in proposed Natura 2000 sites for grasslands
habitats (source: Biodiversity Implementation Plan, 2003)
|
Nature 2000 code |
Habitat type |
Ha |
Management need |
|
1630* |
Boreal Baltic coastal meadows |
125 |
Grazing and mowing. In areas, which are without any management for a
long period –reed cutting, clearing of shrubs is necessary. |
|
6110 * |
Rupicolous calcareous or basophilic
grasslands of the Alysso-Sedion albi |
14 |
Clearing of bushes. |
|
6120* |
Xeric sand calcareous grasslands |
28 |
Grazing, mowing, removal of shrubs. |
|
6210 |
Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland
facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia)
(*important orchid sites) |
3000 |
Grazing ~50LVL/ha, mowing, removal of shrubs. |
|
6230* |
Species rich Nardus grassland, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (and
submountain areas, in continental Europe) |
1750 |
Grazing ~50LVL/ha, mowing, clearing of
shrubs, maintenance of drainage ditches. |
|
6270* |
Fennoscandian lowland species-rich dry to
mesic grasslands |
3250 |
Grazing ~50LVL/ha, mowing, clearing of shrubs. |
|
6410 |
Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or
clayey-silt-laden soils (Molinion
caenuleae) |
1750 |
Grazing ~50LVL/ha, mowing, clearing of shrubs, maintenance of drainage
systems, if ditches existed at the beginning of the 20th century. |
|
6430 |
Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of
plains and of the montane to alpine levels |
17 500 |
Management needs to be assessed individually. |
|
6450 |
Northern boreal alluvial meadows |
7500 |
|
|
6510 |
Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis) |
20 000 |
Grazing ~50LVL/ha, mowing, clearing of shrubs, maintenance of drainage
systems, if ditches existed at the beginning of the 20th century. |
|
6530* |
Fennoscandian wooded meadows |
250 |
Clearing of trees and shrubs including burning of felled material is
up to 110 LVL/ha; grazing from 50 LVL/ha increasing to 100 LVL/ha under
special circumstances. |
|
|
|
55.267 |
|
Table 3: Biodiversity Action Plan 2003-2007 for
grassland habitats (source: MoE, 2003)
Action
|
Starting date |
Frequency |
Executor |
Funding |
Legal aspects |
Results |
|
To carry out training in model farms on management of meadows. |
2004 |
annually |
LACTSC, MoA |
|
1257/1999 |
Farmers trained |
|
To carry out inventory of grey dunes, coastal meadows and forests and
to prepare and submit proposals for designation of micro-reserves. |
2003 |
2004 |
UL BD |
Project "Protection and management of coastal habitats" |
92/43/EEC, 79/409/EEC |
A network of micro-reserves established along the Baltic Sea and the
Riga Bay for protection of the EU specially protected habitats. |
|
To prepare agro-environment plans for farms |
2003 |
annually |
MoA |
MoA, LEPF, private resources |
|
3000 ha, 100 plans prepared |
|
To implement agro-environment measures |
2003 |
annually |
MoA |
SAPARD; Structural Funds |
|
Agro-environment preserved in the area of 10 000 ha |
|
To prepare information on species and
habitats of grasslands for the uniform data-base (based on the inventory
data) |
2004 |
2004 |
LFN |
|
|
Data on inventory of grasslands entered in the common data-base which
is regularly updated |
|
To carry out monitoring of species and habitats of grasslands in
accordance with the NEMP (including vegetation, invertebrates, white stork,
nesting and migratory birds) |
2003 |
annually |
Procurer - LEA |
92/43/EEC; 79/409/EEC; |
1., 2., 4. |
Data collected and regular monitoring reports available |
|
To develop a data-base on land ownership and the use of the land in
coastal areas |
2003 |
2003 |
UL BD |
|
|
Data-base developed on all land owners in the coastal areas and their
interests related to the management of the territory I |
|
Mowing of wet meadows and cutting of bushes in Lubâna wetlands |
2003 |
2007 |
TNR, local governments |
92/43/EEC |
|
Management plans for meadows prepared by 2004, management introduced
in all planned grasslands (Aiviekste flood-plains) by 2005 |
|
Preparation of meadows management plan for private farms in the
Northern Gauja valley |
2004 |
2006 |
LFN |
92/43/EEC |
|
Management plans prepared for 30-40 pilot-farms covering 700-800 ha |
|
Development of the handbook " Methodology for monitoring of
habitats and species in agricultural lands" |
2003 |
2003 |
Procurer LEA |
2078/92 |
|
Handbook published and disseminated |
|
To prepare and publish information material on biological diversity of
meadows in Latvia, based on the inventory data |
2003 |
2004 |
LFN |
|
|
Information materials published and disseminated |
|
To establish and maintain study trails in meadows |
2004 |
2006 |
LFN, LACTSC |
|
|
Trails established in the demonstration farms of the MoA |
|
To carry out public information measures (video, lectures and
seminars, etc.) on local species of domestic animals that can be used for
grazing |
2004 |
2006 |
MoA, LACTSC, LFN |
|
|
Materials prepared and disseminated
|
|
Restoration of meadows habitats in the North Gauja river valley |
2004 |
2005 |
LFN, local governments |
92/43/EEC |
|
240-290 ha of meadows restored
|
|
To conclude contracts with the land owners on purchaser lease of land
from the land owners to preserve meadows in the potential Lake Pape nature
park |
2004 |
2004 |
WWF-Latvia |
92/43/EEC |
|
Contracts concluded with the land owners on purchase or lease of 421
ha of land, and the meadows are managed as appropriate |
|
Mowing of meadows in Íemeri National Park |
2003 |
2005 |
ÍNP |
92/43/EEC |
|
140 ha of meadows mown to preserve the characteristic vegetation and
provide nesting places for birds |
|
Restoration and maintenance of meadows in Teièi Strict Nature
Reserve |
2002 |
2004 |
TNR |
92/43/EEC |
|
More than 50% of the most valuable meadows restored and maintained in
Teièi Strict Nature Reserve |
|
Restoration and management of biologically valuable meadows in the
Gauja National Park |
2004 |
2007 |
GNP |
92/43/EEC |
|
150 ha of meadows restored (cutting of bushes, etc.) and managed |
|
Conservation of biologically valuable meadows in the Gauja National
Park |
2003 |
2003 |
GNP |
92/43/EEC |
|
30.1 ha meadows in GNP
restored (mowing and cutting of bushes) |
|
Restoration and management of coastal meadows near Ainaþi and
Salacgrîva, as well as in Vakarbuïïi and Daugavgrîva nature reserves
(Riga) |
2003 |
2005 |
UL BD, local governments, NVBR (within the framework of LIFE project) |
92/43/EEC |
|
At least 115 ha of coastal meadows restored and managed |
|
Restoration of management in the meadows of the nature park
"Abava River Valley" |
2003 |
2003 |
LFN |
92/43/EEC |
|
20 ha of park-type and calcified meadows restored |
|
To develop the optimum management methods for various types of meadows
|
2004 |
2005 |
MoA, LACTSC, LFN |
|
|
1040 persons trained |
|
To establish the monitoring of management of grasslands in selected
areas |
2004 |
annually |
LACTSC, LFN |
|
|
The number of farms where the monitoring is carried out; the criteria
for the effectiveness of the management developed |
|
To develop and publish the handbook on evaluation of effectiveness of
management of meadows |
2006 |
2006 |
LACTSC, LFN |
|
|
The handbook published and disseminated |
|
Restoration of natural grazing in Slampe and Lielupe flood-plains |
2003 |
2005 |
ÍNP |
|
|
Grazing and habitats of meadows restored in the area of 449 ha |
|
Identification of Natura 2000 sites in meadows |
2003 |
2003 |
MoE NPD |
92/43/EEC |
|
The list prepared and the data-base developed |
To develop the legal bases for protection of species and
habitats “Law on the Protection of Species and Habitats” was accepted by
Parliament of Latvia on 16th March 2000.
The law
states the goal of protection of habitats and determines development of the
List of Specially protected Habitats. According to this Law “the goal of the protection of habitats is to ensure
maintenance of factors that favourably influence the habitat and its
characteristic species, and which
determine natural distribution, structure and functions of the habitat, as well
as the survival of its characteristic species on a long-term basis. The
protection of habitat is considered to be satisfactory when:
- geographical area, its distribution, range
and occurrence are stable or are extending;
- it has characteristic structure and
functions which are necessary for the long-term existence of the habitat
and it is foreseeable that they will exist in the near future as well;
- the satisfactory protection of its
characteristic species is ensured.”
Landowners and
permanent users are obliged to facilitate maintenance of the diversity of
species and habitats. Law also states, that “Lists of Specially Protected
Habitats include endangered, disappearing, rare habitat types. Specially
Protected Habitats are under special state protection”. The List of Specially
Protected Habitats was accepted by the Cabinet of Ministers with the
Regulations Nr.421 on 5th
December 2000 “On the List of
Specially Protected Habitats”. In this List 15 Specially Protected Grassland
Habitats are included (Table 4). Two of listed protected fen habitats are also
included in this survey as they often are included in grazing systems or form
an integrated part in grassland habitat complexes. The same law also includes
the statement about establishment of Micro-reserves – small scale protected
sites for Specially Protected Habitats to ensure their favourable conservation
status. The order of establishment of Micro-reserves was accepted by the
Cabinet Regulations Nr.45 “On the Establishment, Protection and Management
of Micro-reserves” on 30th January 2001. Legal system includes recompense measures in
cases of disturbance or destruction of protected habitats (Regulations Nr. 117
“On Recompense of Damage for Spoilage or Destruction of Individuals of
Specially Protected Species and Habitats” on 13th March 2001).
Table 4. List of protected grassland habitats
Regulations Nr.421 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic
of Latvia on 5th December 2000 “On the List of Specially Protected Habitats”
3. Grasslands
3.1. Moist coastal
tall herb grasslands.
3.2. Corynephorus canescens grasslands.
3.3. Helictotrichon pratense grasslands.
3.4. Fresh coastal grasslands with Juncus balticus.
3.5. Wooded meadows.
3.6. Meadows and pastures with Juniperus communis.
3.7. Dry coastal grasslands with Armeria maritime.
3.8. Dry grasslands on dolomite cliffs.
3.9. Wet coastal grasslands with Triglochin maritimum.
3.10. Nardus stricta grasslands.
3.11. Grasslands with Phleum
phleoides.
3.12. Grasslands with Koeleria glauca.
3.13. Molinia
caerulea grasslands.
3.14. Sesleria caerulea grasslands.
3.15. Coastal Juncus gerardii communties.
2. Mires
2.4. Calcareous fens with Carex
davalliana
2.5. Calcareous fens with Schoenus ferrugineus
Agri-environmental measures[2]
This chapter has been based on the agri-environmental
measures which are included in the draft Rural Development Plan (version
submitted to EC in September 2003). In the framework of application of the
European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) the applicant
countries are obliged to prepare an agri-environmental scheme(s) (RDP-AES)
within this plan. The RDP-AES had been prepared by teams of specialists in
Latvia. In totally, 5 sub-measures have been developed:
-
sub-measure ‘Development of organic farming’
-
sub-measure ’Preservation of biodiversity in grasslands’
-
sub-measure ’Environment-friendly management of
agricultural lands’
-
sub-measure ‘Preservation of genetic resources of farming
animals’
-
sub-measure ‘Preservation of genetic resources of plants’
Sub-measure: Preservation of Biodiversity in Grasslands
Rationale
Semi-natural grasslands within agricultural landscapes are ecosystems
dominated by an high number of natural species. Traditional farming techniques
have, over the period of several centuries, resulted in characteristic
communities of several plant and animal species which are maintained by a
regular mowing and/or pasturing. The importance of these grasslands is
emphasised by the fact that one-third of Latvia’s vascular plant species are
connected with these types of grasslands. The areas of semi-natural grasslands
were covering 23% of the country’s territory in 1940. The repeated change of
the political system also changed the structure of utilisation of land. Many
semi-natural grasslands overgrew or were transformed into arable land as well
as intensively managed by an intensive pasturage. This resulted in a decrease
in grassland biodiversity during the last decades. One-third of the plant
species listed in the red list of plants under special protection in Latvia are
plant species, whose prevalence is related to grasslands. At present, the areas
of grasslands (meadows and pasturage) cover nearly 570.000 ha, which is
23 % of the agricultural land, or 8.8 % of the entire territory of
Latvia.
Degradation through two kinds of
impacts on semi-natural grasslands can been observed in Latvia. Firstly, the
diversity of wild plant species is decreasing in intensively managed
territories. Whereas the mechanical operations inappropriate for preservation
of the environment reduces the concealment, nesting and feeding places of birds
and other specimens of fauna.
The other process of degradation is
the overgrown of biologically valuable grasslands. The less productive areas
are no longer farmed and overgrow with shrubs.
Objectives of the Sub-measure:
-
preserving and protecting of grassland ecosystems that
are the richest in species by resuming extensive farming in at least 50 % of
the areas of identified grasslands;
–
stimulating
the application of environment-friendly methods in agricultural activities and
farming in biologically valuable grassland areas in line with the environmental
requirements (in accordance with nationally and internationally adopted
regulatory enactments);
Operational Objective of the Sub-measure:
–
supporting
of agricultural holdings, whose areas include biologically valuable grasslands,
where the biodiversity is being maintained or enhanced and which are managed in
accordance with the needs of preservation of wild species.
Activities Eligible to Receive Support
Compensation of loss due to
unearned income in the area of AL resulting from the implementation of the
following activities:
–
extensive pasturing (up to 0.7 animal units per ha of
biologically valuable grasslands of farms);
–
late mowing of grasslands (after the 10th of July in
biologically valuable grasslands of farms).
Target
Territories
The Sub-measure shall appertain to
the biologically valuable grasslands located in the target territory of the
RDP, which are determined based on the results of stocktaking by the Latvian
Wildlife Fund.
Eligible Beneficiaries
The support under this measure
shall be given to physical persons or legal persons, whose areas managed
include biologically valuable grasslands determined by the Latvian Fund for
Nature, and the area thereof is at least 0.3 ha per field block.
Eligibility Conditions for Aid
Support
may be granted if the applicant:
–
applies Good farming practice;
–
agrees
to perform activities for 5 years from the year of approval of the first
support payment.
Type and Scope of Support Financing
Eligible beneficiaries may receive
an annual support payment for compensation of loss due to unearned income
resulting from extensive
activity.
|
Activities to be performed |
Ls/ha |
|
Extensive pasturing in grassland areas |
84 |
|
Late mowing (after the 10th of July) |
84 |
The calculation of support payments
is based on the calculation of the part of an unearned income, additional cost
per 1 ha of grassland and the interest rate of 20%, if any of the activities
under this sub-measure is being performed in the respective area. The support payment for the respective area shall be granted
as a part of the public financing and paid in the amount of 100 %. The
beneficiary may change the activities performed under this sub-measure in the
respective area in the period of 5 years.
Working Methods
The project experts mapped the semi-natural grassland areas according to
the developed methodology.
During the survey process every expert
followed a systematic procedure:
- identify
areas with homogenous vegetation according the physiognomy of plant communities;
- identify
the type of vegetation according the standard vegetation typology which was
prepared in the starting phase of the project;
- draw the
border of the polygon on the map which indicate the boundary of this vegetation
type;
- complete the
field data sheets for each polygon and describe it.
The basic survey unit is a 5 x 5 km square
(Fig.1). For general geographical information satellite maps of Latvia in the
scale 1 : 50 000 were used. To locate grassland areas to be mapped, experts used
two copies of a satellite image for the same square: a full-colour and a
black-and-white copy in the scale 1 : 26 000 (Fig.2). The old Russian military
topographical maps in scale 1 : 50 000, 1 : 25 000 and 1: 10 000 were used as
an additional source of information.
Every homogenous vegetation area larger than
0,5 ha was mapped. The homogenous areas smaller than 0,5 ha were mapped as a
part of complex of mapping units. In exceptional cases, isolated homogenous
areas smaller than 0,5 ha were mapped if they were extremely valuable from
conservation point of view on a regional or national scale. Grassland patches
with regionally or nationally rare vegetation types or those with rare and
protected species are among those exceptions.
Borders of every mapped area were drawn on the
printed satellite images as closed polygons (Fig.3). Each polygon has his
unique identification number given by the expert. For the description of the
mapped polygon the field forms were developed consisting of the following
information:
-
habitat type;
-
geographical
position;
-
current and
historical management;
-
threats to the
area;
-
check-list of
vascular plant species on a transect through the polygon with the coverage in
3-points Tansley’s scale.
For each
polygon the field forms were filled in (Fig.4). The form is filled for the
dominant mapping units and the minor units were not registered separately. All
mapping units in the polygon are registered and their coverage (in percentage)
evaluated by the expert.
To determine and to classify the mapping units
the national grassland classification system has been developed in the
framework of this project. Selected mapping units (second level of division in
the system) are on the level of phytosociological alliances according to the
Braun-Blanquet phytosociological classification system. If possible experts
determined habitat type on the level of plant community (association) (third
level of division).
To select valuable grassland mapping units a
list of indicator species has been developed (Tab.5). This was a helpful tool
to separate improved (cultivated) grasslands, old sawn grassland fields, new
fallow land from botanically valuable grasslands. Simple selection criteria
were used to select grasslands for mapping. Grasslands with
·
at least 5 indicator
species in the plant community of the uniform grassland area (potential
polygon);
·
only 3 or 4
indicator species, of which at least 1 has to be with high abundance were
selected.
Tab.5. Indicator
species of unimproved semi-natural grasslands
|
Dry siliceous grasslands, |
Dry
calcareous grasslands |
||
|
|
Acinos arvensis |
|
Carex caryophyllea |
|
|
Antennaria dioica |
|
Carex ornithopoda |
|
|
Botrychium lunaria |
|
Cirsium
acaule |
|
|
Campanula rotundifolia |
|
Galium
verum |
|
|
Koeleria glauca |
|
Filipendula vulgaris |
|
|
Nardus stricta |
|
Helictotrichon pratense |
|
|
Polygala vulgaris |
|
Phleum phleoides |
|
|
Sieglingia decumbens |
|
Pimpinella saxifraga |
|
|
Sedum acre |
|
Plantago media |
|
|
Thymus pulegioides |
|
Polygala comosa |
|
|
Thymus serpullum |
|
Trifolium montanum |
|
|
Veronica spicata |
|
Agrimonia eupatoria |
|
|
Viola rupestris |
|
Fragaria viridis |
|
|
Viscaria vulgaris |
|
Geranium sanquineum |
|
Fresh,
rarely dry, grasslands |
Fresh and humid grasslands
|
||
|
|
Dianthus deltoides |
|
Carex panicea |
|
|
Briza media |
|
Carex flacca |
|
|
Galium boreale |
|
Carex hartmanii |
|
|
Ophioglossum vulgatum |
|
Sesleria caerulea |
|
|
Primula veris |
|
Succisa pratensis |
|
|
Platanthera chlorantha |
|
Ranunculus auricomus |
|
|
P. bifolia |
|
Trollius europaeus |
|
|
Scorzonera humilis |
|
|
Humid and wet grasslands |
|||
|
|
Cardamine pratensis |
|
Geranium palustre |
|
|
Dactylorhiza baltica |
|
Parnassia palustris |
|
|
D. cruenta |
|
Lathyrus palustris |
|
|
D. incarnata |
|
Polygala amarella |
|
|
D. maculata |
|
Primula farinosa |
|
|
Epipactis palustris |
|
Stellaria palustris |
In the inventory typical ruderal grasslands, in case more than 40 % of
the area has been covered with ruderal or invasive species, or intensified
(recultivated, intensively fertilised or grazed) were not included. If
artificially sowed species cover more than 40 % of the area or where the number
of species is reduced several dominant species (grasses usually dominate) these
grasslands were also not mapped. The indicator species for such grasslands are Dactylis glomerata, Poa pratensis, Trisetum
flavescens, Elytrigia repens, Phleum pratense, Alopecurus pratensis, Festuca
arundinacea on meadows and Festuca
rubra, Festuca pratensis, Lolium perenne, Poa trivialis on pastures.
Typical forbs of these biotopes are also Trifolium
repens, Trifolium pratense, Taraxacum sp., Veronica chamedrys, Achillea
millefolium, Plantago lanceolata, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Carum carvi. Also the recently abandoned fields
(with species like Anthoxanthum odoratum,
Leucanthemum vulgare often dominate), reed beds and the areas overgrown by
trees and shrubs more than for 20% were not mapped.
The structure of the database was developed.
All the data from mapping are processed by geographic information system.
Programmes ArcView and MsAccess are used. Polygons have been digitised on the
base of satellite image. All filled forms prepared by mappers have been put
into the database. Before processing the data are controlled and verified. The
polygons were classified according to information in the database (Fig.5). To
give an overview on the distribution of semi-natural grasslands the point layer
maps were produced as well.
Classification of grassland habitats
1.1. Dune grasslands
Characteristic species:
Corynephorus
canescens, Thymus serpyllum, Cerastium semidecandrum, Carex
arenaria, Viola tricolor, Koeleria
glauca
Constant species:
Campanula rotundifolia,
Jasione montana, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Trifolium arvense
Pilosella
officinarum, Achillea millefolium, Poa
angustifolia
Dominant species:
Pilosella officinarum,,Carex
arenaria, Lerchenfeldia flexuosa, Trifolium arvense,
Festuca ovina
Syntaxonomical
classification: Corynephorion
NATURA 2000 code:
2130*
Distribution: rare on
Coastal Lowland; very rare on continental dunes
Management: grazing
1.1.1.
Carex
arenaria dominated dune
grasslands
Monodominant Carex
arenaria grasslands on costal dunes and sandy plains of Coastal Lowland.
Sometimes other dune grassland species as Festuca
ovina and Lerchenfeldia flexuosa
are co-dominants in mixed communities within this grassland type.
Constant species: Achillea
millefolium, Agrostis tenuis, Campanula rotundifolia, Dianthus deltoides, Festuca ovina, Viola tricolor
Distribution: Mainly
around fishermen villages on coast within small scale vegetation mosaic.
Management: grazing.
1.1.2. Festuca
ovina grasslands
Dense monodominant Festuca ovina grasslands on very poor
sandy soils.
Constant species: Dianthus deltoides, Pilosella
officinarum, Jasione montana,
Thymus pulegioides, Campanula
rotundifolia, Hypericum perforatum,
Rumex acetosella
Distribution: rather
common on dunes and sandy plains of Coastal Lowland. Rare on inland dunes and
edges of dry pine forests.
Management: grazing
1.1.3. Lerchenfeldia
flexuosa grasslands
Monodominant dense stands of Lerchenfeldia
flexuosa on extremely poor sandy soils.
Constant species: Pilosella officinarum, Jasione
montana,
Thymus pulegioides, Campanula
rotundifolia, Rumex acetosella
Distribution: rare on coastal and continental
dunes and sandy fields, edges of dry pine forests.
Management: grazing
1.1.4.
Corynephorus canescens grasslands
Communities mainly on regularly disturbed spots with many annual
species.
Constant species: Pilosella officinarum, Jasione
montana,
Thymus pulegioides, Campanula
rotundifolia, Rumex acetosella
Distribution: Very rare on
coastal and continental dunes and sandy fields. Also found on edges of dry pine
forests.
Natura 2000 code: 2330
Nationally protected habitat type (3.2)
1.1.5. Koeleria
glauca grasslands.
Communities mainly on regularly disturbed spots. Many annual species.
Very rare.
On coastal and continetal dunes and sand fields, edges of dry pine
forests.
Constant species: Pilosella officinarum, Jasione
montana,
Thymus pulegioides, Campanula
rotundifolia, Rumex acetosella
Natura 2000 code: 6120*
Nationally protected habitat type (3.12)
1.2. Dry
siliceous grasslands
Characteristic species:
Armeria vulgaris, Saxifraga
granulata, Festuca trachyphylla, Koeleria cristata, Phleum phleoides, Veronica spicata
Constant species:
Campanula rotundifolia,
Dianthus deltoides, Galium verum, Pimpinella
saxifraga, Sedum acre, Artemisia campestris, Thymus serpyllum, Arenaria
serpyllifolia, Achillea millefolium,
Carex caryophyllea, Festuca rubra, Fragaria viridis, Potentilla argentea,
Plantago lanceolata, Trifolium campestre
Dominant species:
Festuca ovina, Equisetum
hyemale, Poa angustifolia
Syntaxonomical
classification: Plantagini festucion
Management: grazing
1.2.1. Poa
angustifolia grasslands
Grasslands on sandy soils with dominance not only
of Poa angustifolia, but also of Festuca ovina and Festuca rubra.
Many colourful dicotyledon species are important element within the structure
of communities of this vegetation type. Most characteristic species of those
are Dianthus deltoides and Veronica spicata.
Constant species: Sedum telephium, Pimpinella
saxifraga, Sedum acre, Artemisia campestris, Festuca rubra, Calamagrostis
epigeios, Fragaria viridis, Potentilla argentea, Veronica spicata, Dianthus
deltoides, Galium verum, Pilosella officinarum, Plantago lanceolata, Ranunculus
bulbosus, Saxifraga granulata, Stellaria graminea, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium
campestre
Distribution: common on sandy terraces of river
valleys, but normally cover only small patches.
Management: grazing
1.2.2. Phleum phleoides grasslands
Dry grasslands on sandy soils with dominance of Phleum
phleoides, Festuca ovina, Pilosella officinarum. Typical are medium
tall forbs and grasses.
Constant species: Arenaria serpyllifolia, Artemisia
campestris, Fragaria viridis, Galium verum, Poa angustifolia, Rumex
thyrsiflorus, Sedum acre, Trifolium arvense, Potentilla argentea.
Distribution: very rare type; found mainly in Central and Southern part
of the country. More common in valleys of the Venta River and the Daugava River
and along their tributaries as well.
Management: grazing
Nationally protected habitat type (3.11)
1.2.3. Grasslands with Armeria
vulgaris
Grasslands on dry sandy soils with dominance of Carex
caryophyllea, Galium verum, Helictotrichon pratense.
Calcareous species have bigger role in the stands of this habitat type.
Constant species: Armeria vulgaris, Dianthus
arenarius, Lychnis viscaria,
Pimpinella saxifraga, Thymus
serpyllum
Distribution: very rare. Only in the Central part of the country.
Management: grazing
1.2.5.
Festuca grasslands
Festuca species
dominated grasslands on dry sandy soils.
Constant species: Festuca ovina,
Festuca trachyphylla, Arenaria serpyllifolia,
ilosella officinarum
Distribution: rare;
more common on Coastal Lowland
Management: grazing
1.3. Dry grasslands on cliffs
Grassland communities
on horizontal outcrops of dolomites and limestone. Similar communities are
found on gravel substrates. Annuals and succulents are important elements in
floristical structure of these communities.
Characteristic
species:
Sedum acre, Jovibarba sobolifera,
Saxifraga tridactylites
Distribution: very
rare, almost only in the valley of the Daugava River. Found in small patches
within mosaic of other grassland types.
Syntaxonomical
classification: Alysso-Sedion albi
Management: grazing
NATURA 2000 code:
6110*
Nationally protected habitat (3.8)
1.3.1. Poa compressa grasslands
Polydominant stands with no one
characteristic dominant species. More often Poa compressa is dominating
species. Annuals are important element within the floristic structure of plant
communities.
Constant species: Saxifraga
tridactylites, Poa angustifolia, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Cerastium
arvense,Sedum acre, Erophila verna, Veronica verna, Anthemis tinctoria
Management: grazing
1.3.2. Communities with Jovibarba
sobolifera
Comunities on slopes
of hills and on slopes of river terraces. Many specific mosses (Thuidium abietinum, species of Pottiaceae family) and lichens (Cladonia
sp. Peltigera sp) form the lower layer of the stand.
Constant species: Festuca ovina,
Cerastium semidecandrum,
Myosotis micrantha, Trifolium
montanum, Sedum acre, Scleranthus perennis, Silene nutans, Antennaria dioica
Management: grazing
1.4.
Dry
calcareous grasslands
Grasslands on warm
calcium rich soils with species rich floristic structure.
Some scrub species
such as Juniperus communis, Rhamnus catharticus, Rosa sp. and Cartaegus sp. are typical for this grassland type.
Characteristic
species:
Anthyllis
vulneraria, Carlina vulgaris, Cirsium acaule, Orchis militaris, Orchis mascula,
Filipendula vulgaris, Galium verum, Helictotrichon pratense, Gentiana cruciata,
Pimpinella saxifraga, Polygala comosa, Trifolium montanum, Ranunculus bulbosus
Constant
species:
Campanula glomerata,
Centaurea scabiosa, Galium boreale, Phleum phleoides,
Plantago media, Poa
angustifolia, Ranunculus polyanthemos
Dominat
species:
Filipendula vulgaris, Fragaria viridis, Galium verum, Helictotrichon pratense, Brachypodium
pinnatum, Medicago falcata.
Distribution:
rather rare; found mainly within valleys of the large rivers on the slopes of
their terraces, on terraces and on floodplain areas. Characteristic grassland
type for the Gauja River, the Daugava River, the Venta River.
Syntaxonomical
classification: Bromion erecti
NATURA 2000 code: 6210
Management: mainly
grazing; moving in wetter seasons and in moister places.
1.4.1. Helictotrichon pratense grasslands
Grasslands on dry,
worm and lime rich soils. After extremely dry seasons the role of annual
species arise.
Constant species: Centaurea
scabiosa, Galium boreale, Pimpinella saxifraga, Phleum phleoides, Plantago
media, Poa angustifolia, Ranunculus
polyanthemos, Trifolium montanum
Distribution: Rather
rare, mainly in the river valleys.
Management: grazing
Nationally protected habitat (3.3)
1.4.2. Grasslands with Medicago falcata
Calcareous grasslands on fresher soils with more dense vegetation and
less numbers of specific calcareous plant species.
Constant species: Helictotrichon pubescens,
Dactylis glomerata, Galium verum, Centaurea scabiosa, Polygala comosa,
Campanula glomerata, Pimpinella saxifraga, Potentilla reptans.
Distribution: rare, mainly in the valleys of the Daugava River and the
Venta River and along their tributaries.
Management: grazing
1.4.3. Brachypodium pinnatum dominated
grasslands
Mainly formed as a result of ceasing of management of 1.3.1. Poor
species composition, rather few calcareous species, dominance of species with
wide ecological range.
Constant species: Calamagrostis epigeios, Centaurea
jacea, Centaurea scabiosa, Ononis arvensis
Distribution: rare.
Management: grazing
1.5.
Xero-thermophile
fringes
Grassland communities on neutral or slightly calcareous sandy soils.
Originated in sunny places on the edge of pine or mixed pine - oak forests.
Polydominant type with high species diversity. Communities formed mainly by
dicotyledons. Sometimes Fragaria viridis, Galium
verum, Geranium sanguineum, Brachypodium
pinnatum, Trifolium alpestre, Phleum phleoides have higher coverage.
Characteristic species:
Geranium sanguineum,
Peucedanum oreoselinum, Veronica teucrium, Seseli
libanotis, Vincetoxicum hirundinaria, Trifolium alpestre, Lathyrus niger
Constant
species: Agrimonia eupatoria, Campanula
glomerata, Centaurea scabiosa, Lathyrus sylvestris,
Origanum vulgare, Pimpinella
saxifraga, Phleum phleoides, Ranunculus polyanthemos, Silene nutans.
Syntaxonomical
classification: Geranion sanguinei
Distribution: rare
through the country, mainly together with other dry types within the grassland
complexes
Management: moving or
grazing
1.6.
Mesophile
fringes
Grasslands on the
shady edges of mixed forests on the medium rich soils. Polydominat communities with
wide variety of dicotyledons of which Centaurea
scabiosa, Galium boreale, Trifolium medium sometimes dominate.
Characteristic species:
Agrimonia eupatoria, Melampyrum nemorosum, Trifolium
medium, Vicia sepium, Vicia cassubica, Vicia sylvatica
Constant species:
Astragalus glycyphyllos, Campanula glomerata, Clinopodium vulgare, Dactylis
glomerata, Laserpitium latifolium, Phyteuma spicata, Trifolium pratense
Syntaxonomical
classification: Trifolion medii
Distribution: rare
through the country, mainly together with fresh grassland types within the
grassland complexes
Management: moving or
grazing
2.1. Nardus grasslands
Characteristic species:
Antennaria dioica,
Botrychium lunaria, Calluna vulgaris, Carex
pilulifera, Dianthus deltoides, Hypericum maculatum, Luzula multiflora, Nardus stricta, Pilosella officinarum, Potentilla erecta, Polygala vulgaris,
Sieglingia decumbens, Viola canina
Constant species:
Agrostis tenuis, Antennaria
dioica, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Carex leporina, Carex
nigra, Deschampsia caespitosa, Galium uliginosum, Hieracium umbellatum,
Potentilla erecta, Solidago virgaurea, Vaccinium vitis-idaea
Dominant species:
Carex pallescens, Festuca ovina,
Nardus stricta, Pilosella officinarum, Sieglingia decumbens, Calluna vulgaris.
Syntaxonomical
classification: Violion caninae
NATURA 2000 code: 6230*
Nationally protected habitat (3.10)
Distribution: rare
through the country
Management: grazing
2.1.1. Dry Nardus
grasslands.
Nardus grasslands on dry till fresh soils. Short grassland species such as Festuca
ovina, Nardus stricta, Pilosella
officinarum, Sieglingia decumbens are dominants in communities.
Constant species: Agrostis
tenuis, Antennaria dioica, Briza media, Pimpinella saxifraga, Polygala
vulgaris, Solidago virgaurea, Viola canina.
Distribution: rare
through the country
Management: grazing
2.1.2.
Moist Nardus grasslands
Nardus grasslands on moist till wet mineral or peat soils. Periodically dry in
summer. Nardus stricta or Sieglingia decumbens dominate in communities.
Constant species: Anthoxanthum
odoratum, Carex nigra, Deschampsia caespitosa, Festuca ovina, Galium
uliginosum, Potentilla erecta
Distribution: rare
through the country
Management: grazing
2.2.
Mesophile pastures
Originated on slightly
acid or acid soils. Mainly polydominant communities.
Characteristic
species:
Agrostis tenuis,
Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Festuca rubra, Leontodon autumnalis, Luzula
campestris, Plantago lanceolata, Prunella vulgaris, Trifolium repens
Constant
species:
Achillea millefolium, Briza
media, Carex leporina, Cerastium holosteoides, Galium album, Holcus lanatus,
Leontodon hispidus, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Phleum pratense, Polygala vulgaris,
Primula veris, Ranunculus acris, Veronica chamaedrys
Dominat species:
Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis tenuis, Festuca
rubra, Cynosurus cristatus
Syntaxonomical
classification: Cynosurion
NATURA 2000 code:
6270*
Distribution: common
through the country
Management: grazing
2.2.1. Anthoxanthum
odoratum - Agrostis tenuis grasslands
Pastures on poor soils. Dominating short grasses such as Anthoxanthum
odoratum, Agrostis tenuis, Festuca
rubra with few additional
dicotyledon species form communities of this type.
Constant species: Achillea
millefolium, Galium album, Luzula campestris, Plantago lanceolata, Ranunculus
acris, Trifolium repens, Veronica chamaedrys
Distribution: very
common through the country
Management: grazing
2.2.2. Anthoxanthum odoratum - Briza media grasslands
Pastures on medium rich soils. Species rich communities are
polydominant, but sometimes grasses as Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza
media, Cynosurus cristatus dominate in the upper layer.
Constant species: Festuca rubra,
Leontodon hispidus, Linum catharticum, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Phleum pratense,
Plantago lanceolata, Polygala vulgaris, Primula veris, Trifolium repens,
Trifolium pratense
Distribution: very
common through the country
Management: grazing
2.3.
Hay meadows
Characteristic species:
Arrhenatherum elatius, Carum
carvi, Crepis biennis, Festuca pratensis, Helictotrichon pubescens, Knautia
arvensis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Pastinaca sativa, Tragopogon pratensis
Constant species:
Anthriscus sylvestris, Heracleum
sibiricum, Campanula patula, Centaurea jacea,
Galium album, Lathyrus pratensis,
Medicago lupulina, Poa pratensis, Trifolium pratense, Vicia cracca
Dominant species:
Arrhenatherum elatius, Bromopsis
inermis, Festuca pratensis, Helictotrichon pubescens, Phleum pratense,
Dactylis glomerata, Trisetum flavescens
Syntaxonomical
classification: Arrhenatherion
NATURA 2000 code: 6510
Distribution: common
through the country
Management: moving
2.3.1. Festuca pratensis grasslands.
Fresh grasslands on fertile soils. Festuca pratensis, Phleum
pratense, sometimes Dactylis
glomerata are dominating species
in grass layer.
Constant species: Anthriscus sylvestris, Carum
carvi, Centaurea jacea, Galium album, Helictotrichon pubescens, Lathyrus
pratensis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Medicago lupulina, Poa pratensis, Trifolium
pratense
Distribution: very
common through the country
Management: moving
2.3.2. Helictotrichon pubescens grasslands
Fresh grasslands on medium rich soils. Helictotrichon pubescens usually is
dominating species in grass layer.
Constant species: Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza
media, Centaurea jacea, Deschampsia caespitosa, Festuca pratensis, Galium
boreale, Lathyrus pratnesis, Geum rivale, Ranunculus acris
Distribution: very
common through the country
Management: moving
2.3.3. Arrhenatherum elatius grasslands.
Fresh grasslands on worm, fertile soils. Arrhenatherum
elatius is dominating species in communities of this grassland type.
Constant species: Campanula
patula, Carum carvi, Crepis biennis, Festuca
pratensis, Galium album, Knautia arvensis, Lathyrus pratensis, Medicago
lupulina, Tragopogon pratensis
Distribution: rare, mainly within river valleys on the Southern
part of the country.
Management: moving
2.3.4. Bromopsis inermis grasslands
Monodominant fresh Bromopsis inermis grasslands on dryer
parts of floodplains.
Constant species: Thalictrum flavum, Veronica longifolia, Galium
album, Dactylis glomerata.
Distribution: rare, mainly within river valleys of large rivers.
Management: moving
3.1.
Humid riverine grasslands
Fertile moist grasslands on floodplains of rivers and lakes. Tall grasses
form the dominating group of species in plant communities.
Characteristic species:
Alopecurus
pratensis,Bromopsis inermis, Poa palustris, Veronica longifolia, Polygonum
amphibium f. terrestre
Constant species:
Cardamine pratensis, Elytrigia
repens, Glechoma hederacea,
Spulgnaglene Lychnis flos-cuculi,
Myosotis palustris, Galium album, Ranunculus repens, Urtica dioica
Dominant species:
Alopecurus pratensis, Poa palustris
Syntaxonomical
classification: Alopecurion
NATURA 2000 code: 6510
Distribution: rare
through the country, mainly in small patches within other grassland types of
the floodplain
Management: moving
3.2.
Humid eutrophic grasslands
Characteristic species:
Caltha palustris, Crepis
paludosa, Cirsium oleraceum, Geranium palustre, Geum rivale, Myosotis
palustris, Polygonum bistorta, Scirpus sylvaticus, Trollius europaeus
Constant species:
Angelica sylvestris, Carex
caespitosa, Cirsium oleraceum, Cirsium palustre, Galium boreale, Galium
palustre, Galium uliginosum, Juncus conglomeratus, Lathyrus pratensis, Lychnis
flos-cuculi, Lysimachia vulgaris, Polygonum bistorta, Potentilla anserina,
Ranunculus auricomus, Ranunculus repens
Dominant species:
Deschampsia caespitosa, Geranium
palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Angelica sylvestris, Carex caespitosa, Carex
panicea, Geum rivale, Scirpus sylvaticus, Cirsium heterophyllum
Syntaxonomical
classification: Calthion
NATURA 2000 code: 6450
Distribution: common
through the country
Management: moving
3.2.1. Grasslands
with Geranium palustre.
Moist grasslands in depressions and on floodplains. Polydominat
communities.
Constant species Angelica sylvestris, Carex
caespitosa, Cirsium oleraceum, Galium palustre, Lathyrus pratensis
Distribution: common
through the country
Management: moving
3.2.2. Grasslands with Juncus effusus.
Moist grasslands on humid fertile soils with poor aeration.
Constant species: Juncus conglomeratus, Epilobium palustre,
Agrostis canina
Distribution: common
through the country
Management: grazing
3.2.3. Grasslands with Carex caespitosa.
Moist grasslands in depressions, on floodplains of rivers and lakes.
Constant species: Angelica
sylvestris, Caltha palustris, Crepis paludosa, Equisetum palustre, Galium
palustre, Geum rivale, Poa palustris.
Distribution: very common
through the country
Management: moving or
grazing
3.2.4. Grasslands with Scirpus sylvaticus.
Scirpus sylvaticus dominated moist
grasslands in depressions, on floodplains of rivers and lakes
Constant species: Caltha palusris, Carex nigra,
Ranunculus acris, Cirsium palustre.
Distribution: common
through the country
Management: moving
3.2.5.
Grasslands with Geum rivale
Moist grasslands of polydominant communities with high diversity
of dicotyledons.
Constant species: Angelica sylvestris, Cirsium oleraceum,
Cirsium heterophyllum, Crepis paludosa, Galium boreale, Geum
rivale, Ranunculus auricomus, Ranunculus acris.
Distribution: common
through the country
Management: moving
3.2.6. Filipendula ulmaria stands
Monodominant stands of Filipendula ulmaria on floodplains and
in depressions.
Distribution: very
common through the country
Management: moving
3.2.7. Calamagrostis epigeios stands.
Monodominant stands of Calamagrostis epigeios on floodplains and
in depressions.
Distribution: very
common through the country
Management: moving
3.3.
Humid oligotrophic grasslands
Characteristic species:
Galium boreale, Inula
salicina, Iris sibirica, Molinia caerulea, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Scorzonera
humilis, Selinum carvifolia, Succisa pratensis, Sesleria caerulea
Constant species:
Briza media, Epipactis palustris,
Galium boreale, Galium palustre, Galium uliginosum, Lychnis flos-cuculi,
Myosotis palustris, Peucedanum palustre, Potentilla erecta, Ranunculus
auricomus, Ranunculus repens
Dominant species:
Carex flacca, C. hostiana,
C.panicea, Molinia caerulea, Inula salicina, Deschampsia caespitosa, Myrica
gale
Syntaxonomical
classification: Molinion
NATURA 2000 code: 6410
Distribution: rare through the country
Management: grazing or moving
3.3.1. Molinia
caerulea grasslands
Constant species: Carex
hostiana, Deschampsia caespitosa, Myosotis palustris, Galium boreale, Galium
uliginosum, Myrica gale, Sesleria caerulea.
Nationally protected habitat type (3.13)
Distribution: rare through the country
Management: grazing or moving
3.3.2. Sesleria caerulea grasslands
Constant species: Briza media,
Carex panicea, Deschampsia caespitosa, Galium boreale, Centaurea jacea, Geum
rivale, Molinia caerulea, Ranunculus acris.
Nationally protected habitat type (3.14)
Distribution: rare, mainly in the Western part of the country
Management: grazing or
moving
3.3.3. Carex flacca
grasslands
Constant species: Briza media, Carex panicea, Inula salicina, Linum catharticum, Potentilla erecta,
Primula veris, Succisa pratensis.
Distribution: rare, mainly in the Western part of the country
Management: grazing or
moving
3.3.4.
Grasslands with Scorzonera humilis
Moist grasslands on soils humid during almost all vegetation period.
Constant species: Scorzonera
humilis, Succisa pratensis, Molinia caerulea, Sesleria caerulea, Briza media,
Potentilla erecta
Distribution: rare
Management: grazing or
moving
3.4.
Coastal brackish grasslands
Characteristic species:
Aster tripolium, Armeria
maritima, Glaux maritima, Plantago maritima, Triglochin maritimum, Potentilla
anserina.
Constant species:
Poa subcaerulea, Trifolium
fragiferum
Dominant species:
Festuca rubra, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus
arundinaceus
Syntaxonomical
classification: Armerion maritimae
NATURA 2000 code: 1630*
Distribution: very rare on Coastal Lowland
Management: grazing
3.4.1. Agrostis stolonifera grasslands
Constant species: Blysmus rufus,
Eleocharis uniglumis, Alopecurus geniculatus, Trifolium repens, Leontodon
autumnalis
Nationally protected habitat type (3.9)
Distribution: very rare on Coastal Lowland
Management: grazing
3.4.2. Grasslands with Juncus
gerardii
Constant species: Ranunculus
repens, Potentilla anserina, Agrostis stolonifera
Nationally protected habitat type (3.15)
Distribution: very rare on Coastal Lowland
Management: grazing
3.4.3. Grasslands with Alopecurus
arundinaceus
Constant
species: Trifolium repens, Galium palustre, Festuca arundinacea.
Nationally protected habitat (3.1)
Distribution: very rare on Coastal Lowland
Management: grazing
3.5.
Potentillion anserinae
Short grassland vegetation on floodplains or on
disturbed moist spots of pastures
Characteristic species:
Inula
britannica, Mentha arvensis, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla reptans, Rumex
crispus, Plantago major, Alopecurus geniculatus, Juncus compressus
Constant species:
Rorippa
sylvestris, Leontodon autumnalis, Plantago lanceolata, Galium uliginosum,
Galium palustre, Poa annua, Ranunculus repens, Triglochin palustre, Veronica
anagallis-aquatica
Dominant species:
Potentilla
anserina, Potentilla reptans, Alopecurus geniculatus, Alopecurus aequalis,
Trifolium repens
Syntaxonomical
classification: Potentillion
anserinae
Distribution: rare
Management: grazing
3.5.1.
Communities with Agrostis
stolonifera
Regularly grazed or trampled parts of river
floodplains temporary dry in summer, but moist or even wet in spring and
autumn. Dominating species are Agrostis
stolonifera, Potentilla reptans and Potentilla anserina.
Characteristic species in the Dagava River valley are Allium schoenoprasum and Inula britannica.
Constant species: Trifolium repens, Mentha arvensis, Cerastium holosteoides, Plantago
major
Distribution: very rare
Management: grazing
3.5.2.
Communities with Alopecurus geniculatus
Communities in depressions with high
groundwater level and periodically wet moister conditions. Short vegetation
with Alopecurus geniculatus or Alopecurus aequalis as dominating species.
Constant species: Ranunculus repens, Ranunculus
flammula, Glyceria fluitans,
Eleocharis palustris,
Agrostis stolonifera, Lysimachia vulgaris
Distribution: rare
Management: grazing
4.1.
Acidic dwarf sedge communities
Characteristic
species:
Agrostis canina, Carex
cinerea, Carex nigra, Epilobium palustre, Juncus filiformis, Ranunculus
flammula, Stellaria palustris, Veronica scutellata, Viola palustris
Constant species:
Carex pallescens, Comarum
palustre, Briza media, Deschampsia caespitosa, Eriophorum polystachion, Galium
palustre, Galium uliginosum, Geum rivale, Juncus articulatus, Lychnis
flos-cuculi, Menyanthes trifoliata, Myosotis palustris, Parnassia palustris,
Pedicularis palustris, Peucedanum palustre, Potentilla erecta, Triglochin
palustre
Dominant species:
Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex
flava
Syntaxonomical
classification: Caricion fuscae
NATURA 2000 code:
Distribution: common through the country
Management: moving
4.1.1. Carex nigra stands
Monodominant Carex nigra communities with
very few species of dicotyledons. Originated on accid soils on floodplains of
rivers and lakes.
Distribution: common through the country
Management: moving
4.1.2. Carex panicea stands
Polydominant grasslands with rather high
diversity of dicotyledon species. Originated on neutral soils on floodplains of
rivers and lakes.
Distribution: common through the country
Management: moving
4.2. Calcareous dwarf sedge communities
Characteristic
species:
Blysmus compressus, Carex
davalliana, Carex flava, Carex hostiana, Carex lepidocarpa, Dactylorhiza
incarnata, Epipactis palustris, Eriophorum latifolium, Primula farinosa,
Pinguicula vulgaris, Schoenus ferrugineus
Constant species:
Briza media, Carex flacca,
Deschampsia caespitosa, Eriophorum polystachion, Galium palustre, Galium
uliginosum, Gymnadenia conopsea, Dactylorhiza baltica, Myosotis palustris,
Parnassia palustris
Dominant
species:
Carex davalliana, Carex
panicea, Carex hostiana, Schoenus ferrugineus, Phragmites australis
Syntaxonomical
classification: Caricion davallianae
NATURA 2000 code: 7230
Distribution: very rare, only in the Western part of the country
Management: moving
4.2.1. Carex davalliana stands
Almost monodominant stands of Carex
davalliana. Between tussocks of the sedge high variety of specific calcareous
species is found. Rich in different orchid species.
Nationally protected habitat type (2.4)
4.2.2. Schoenus ferrugineus stands
Almost monodominant stands of Schoenus
ferrugineus. Other sedge and grass species
are found in high variety between tussocks
Nationally protected habitat type (2.5)
Distribution: very rare, only in the Western part of the country
Management: moving
4.2.3. Carex hostiana stands
Monodominant Carex hostiana communities in wet
depressions and floodplains.
Distribution: rare, mainly in the Western part of the country
Management: moving
4.3. Tall sedge communities
Tall sedge dominated grasslands on depressions
and floodplains
Characteristic species:
Carex acuta, Carex acutiformis,
Carex paniculata, Carex vesicaria, Cicuta virosa, Galium palustre, Iris
pseudacorus, Peucedanum palustre,
Scutellaria galericulata
Constant species:
Equisetum fluviatile, Galium
palustre, Lycopus europaeus, Myosotis palustris, Peucedanum palustre,
Phragmites australis, Poa palustris, Poa trivialis, Ranunculus repens, Rumex
hydrolapathum, Sium latifolium
Dominant species:
Calamagrostis canescens, Carex
acuta, Carex acutiformis, Carex appropinguata, Carex diandra, Carex disticha, Carex paniculata, Carex
vesicaria, Carex rostrata, Carex vulpina, Glyceria maxima, Phalaris arundinacea
Syntaxonomical classification: Magnocaricion
NATURA 2000 code: 6450
Distribution: common through the country
Management: moving
4.3.1. Calamagrostis canescens
stands
Monodominant Calamagrostis canescens communities
Distribution: very common through the country
Management: moving
4.3.2. Carex acuta stands
Monodominant Carex acuta communities
Distribution: very common through the country
Management: moving
4.3.3.
Carex acutiformis communities
Monodominant Carex acutiformis communities
Distribution: common through the country
Management: moving
4.3.4.
Carex paniculata stands
Monodominant Carex paniculata communities
Distribution: rare through the country
Management: moving
4.3.5. Carex appropinquata stands
Monodominant Carex appropinquata communities
Distribution: rather common through the country
Management: moving
4.3.6. Carex vesicaria communities
Monodominant Carex vesicaria stands
Distribution: very common through the country
Management: moving
4.3.7. Carex rostrata communities
Monodominant Carex rostrata stands
Distribution: very common through the country
Management: moving
4.3.8. Carex vulpina communities
Monodominant Carex vulpina stands
Distribution: rare through the country
Management: moving
4.3.9. Carex diandra communities
Monodominant Carex diandra stands
Distribution: rare through the country
Management: moving
4.3.10. Carex disticha communities
Monodominant Carex disticha stands
Distribution: very common through the country
Management: moving
4.3.11. Carex elata communities
Monodominant Carex elata stands
Distribution: very common through the country
Management: moving
4.3.12. Phalaroides arundinacea grasslands
Monodominant Phalaroides arundinacea stands
Distribution: very common on floodplains through the country
Management: moving
4.3.13. Glyceria maxima grasslands
Monodominant Glyceria maxima stands
Distribution: rare through the country
Management: moving
5.1. Eutrophic tall herb stands
Characteristic species:
Aegopodium podagraria,
Chelidonium majus, Galium aparine, Solidago
canadensis
Constant species:
Glechoma hederacea, Urtica
dioica, Anthriscus sylvestris, Heracleum sibiricum
Dominant species:
Chaerophyllum aromaticum,
Aegopodium podagraria, Dactylis glomerata, Epilobium hirsutum, Epilobium
parviflorum
Syntaxonomical
classification: Aegopodion podagrariae
NATURA 2000 code: 6430
Distribution: rather common
Management: moving
5.1.1. Chaerophyllum aromaticum
communities