Potential groundwater dependent ecosystems (habitats) in the Latvian pilot area Kazu grava

Agnese PriedeNature Conservation Agency, Latvia

agnese.priede@daba.gov.lv

Priekuļi, Latvia

09/11/2018

Suggested borders of the pilot area (ca. 60 ha)

Similar to the borders of Kazu ieleja Nature Monument (protected nature area of national

importance, overlapping with Gauja National Park – Natura 2000 site)

Suggested borders of the pilot area (ca. 60 ha) includes

◆ deciduous and mixed forests on steep slopes (non-GDTEs) with

tufa-forming springs (potential GDTEs) including

- wet patches around spring discharges on slopes (potential

GDTE) and barrage tufa formations on steep slopes,

- spring waterfalls (potential GDTE),

◆ drained mesic to wet fen grassland on peat soil on the bottom of

the valley (potential GDTE),

◆ artificial ponds and pits created by tufa excavation and by peat

excavation (non-GTEs),

◆ small patches of other habitats (non-GDTEs).

Though Kazu grava is well known as an area rich in rare plant species and

habitats, important bat area (dolomite caves)… the data are insufficient and

outdated.

What we have in the national nature data system OZOLS:

⚫ two patches of Petrifying springs with tufa formation (EU habitat 7220*),

⚫ one patch of Calcareous rocky slopes… (EU habitat 8210),

⚫ localities of rare plant and some animal species (all?).

Though Kazu grava is well known as an area rich in rare plant species and

habitats, important bat area (dolomite caves)… the data are insufficient and

outdated.

What we have in the national nature data system OZOLS:

⚫ two patches of Petrifying springs with tufa formation (EU habitat 7220*),

⚫ one patch of Calcareous rocky slopes… (EU habitat 8210),

⚫ localities of rare plant and some animal species (all?).

Particular species – what we know for sure (but maybe there are more)

Importance for bats (caves)! … but this is out of the scope of GDTE methodology.

Rare, protected plant species

Cypripedium

calceolus

In this area, on slope,

not related to GDTEs.

Several other

orchids

Largely related to

GDTEs (but not all of

them).

Primula farinosa

Largely related to

GDTEs (calcareous

fens).

Stellaria crassifolia

Largely related to

GDTEs (spring

mires).

Gymnocarpium

robertianum

On tufa cliffs and

calcareous rocky

slopes. Not related to

GDTEs.

Habitats – petrifying springs with tufa formation (7220*) – GDTE

Plant communities:

Cratoneurion commutati

Carici remotae

Habitats – ponds, pits, fen grassland, carbonatic rocky slope, slope forests (some are

potential GDTEs)

Plant communities:

Scheuchzerio-Caricetea fuscae

Phalaris arundinacea community

Other?Plant

communities:

Alno-Ulmion

Tilio-Acerion

Disturbed and newly created habitats

Since some habitats in Kazu grava are heavily disturbed or destroyed-newly created,

but perhaps still/already valuable. It is worth to think about their value from biodiversity

conservation point of view. In most cases, they do not fall into the category of EU habitat

types. But they can be important for rare, protected species.

Are they/can they be GDTE or not?

Current plan for exploring the site (biodiversity aspect)

⚫ Mapping of EU habitat types (listed in the Annex I of Habitats Directive) by using the

national methodology (identification key, field forms);

⚫ Vegetation sample plots in spring habitats and fen grassland (establishment of at

least five 0,2 x 0,2 m (springs) to 1 x 1 m (fen grassland) vegetation plots in each

location around the groundwater monitoring wells, Braun-Blanquet method), vascular

plants + mosses;

⚫ Invertebrate communities (sampling at selected locations, the same where the

vegetation will be described);

⚫ Correlation of abiotic and biotic data (hopefully, will be possible);

⚫ Selecting indicators for identification of GDTEs (for those type we will find in Kazu

grava);

⚫ Selecting of indicators for GDTE quality and degree of disturbance (for those

types we will find in Kazu grava).

Outcome

⚫ Understanding of whether we can use only EU habitat maps and field form data or

more detailed information (vegetation, etc.) is necessary to identify GDTE and their

quality.

⚫ Improved knowledge on vegetation composition and invertebrate communities in

spring habitats.

Thank you!