PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
A number of EU priority grassland habitat types in Latvia and the Boreal biogeographic region are in urgent need of support. The following habitats listed in the Habitats Directive are in an ‘unfavourable and declining conservation’ status:
- xeric and calcareous grasslands;
- semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates, important orchid sites;
- species-rich Nardus grasslands, on siliceous substrates;
- fennoscandian lowland species-rich dry to mesic grasslands;
- fennoscandian wooded meadows.
All are seriously fragmented and require urgent action to save and restore remaining areas and improve connectivity between them.
OBJECTIVES
GrassLIFE focused on developing, optimising and improving the conservation status of five EU priority grasslands in Latvia (6120*, 6210*, 6230*, 6270* and 6530*). All restoration activities were carried out within 14 Natura 2000 network sites.
Specific project objectives were to:
- restore the target priority grassland habitats and improve their conservation status on 1,320.5 hectares by applying best-practice and testing pilot and restoration methods;
- establish a long-term sustainable management (grazing) system on the restored grassland areas;
- prepare recommendations for improving their conservation status and grassland connectivity;
- improve the economics aspect of sustainable grassland use;
- improve knowledge and public awareness about the importance of preservation of priority grasslands in Latvia and the EU.
RESULTS
The 5 main objectives of the project were reached:
- Restoration measures have been applied to 1,391 ha (out of 1,320.5 ha foreseen) of EU grassland habitats and 92% of them correspond to priority EU habitats. 1,364 ha (98%) of restored habitats are located in 18 Natura 2000 sites, but 27.3 ha of the sites, are adjacent to project sites and are important to ensure the EU habitat’s connectivity.
- Long term sustainable management system has been established on 837 ha of EU grassland habitats. Grazing infrastructure set up on 773 ha providing significant contribution to the maintenance of the restored grassland habitats. Sustainable management is ensured on ca 610 ha, grazed by mobile grazing units.
- Recommendations for improving the conservation status and grassland connectivity have been prepared and submitted to the Nature Conservation Agency on 01/08/2021. Proposal for Agri-environmental measures related to the conservation of project target habitats for integration into the 2021- 2027 RDP of Latvia has been prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture.
- Demonstration farm has been established and 145 different events have been implemented.
- 127 restoration plans have been produced and compiled in 15 farm-level restoration plans. Seven business analyses have been performed, including the budget for mobile grazing unit. The economic study focusing on grasslands, biodiversity and business, identifying and promoting eight grassland-related business products with high added value, has been prepared. Within the framework of the GrassLIFE project, an innovative, comprehensive model of natural grassland connectivity has been developed.
