Restoration of raised bog Aklais in Latvia

National Id
Latvia_03
Site name
Located in L127 and L161 (water bodies codes according to the Lielupe river basin management plan). Located in the nature reserve, Natura 2000 (in Daudzese parish, Jaunjelgava County).
Summary
The main goal of the implemented NWRM was to restore natural hydrological regime in drained raised bog Aklais located in nature reserve area being also the Natura 2000 site in Latvia. Building of the dam was chosen as most appropriate method. Due to natural conditions, there was no possibility to use technique thus dams were built by hand. Unfortunately the part of the dams is partly washed out by waters now and in a result raised bog is not restored as expected. The main lesson for future is to use adequate technique and materials to ensure durability of the dams.
NUTS Code
Latvija
RBD code
LVLUBA
Transboundary
0
NWRM(s) implemented in the case study
Climate zone
cool temperate moist
Mean annual rainfall
600 - 900 mm
Mean rainfall unit
mm/year
Average temperature
6
Type
Actual Test Site
Light or indepth?
Light
Average slope range
-
Vegetation class
raised bog
Monitoring impacts effects
1
Monitoring location
Edge of Field/Plot
Administrative annual costs
4100
Administrative annual cost information
EUR 4000 for hydological monitoring , EUR 100 for vegetation/habitat monitoring
Monitoring parameters
hydrology monitoring, vegetation/habitat monitoring
Monitoring upstream station
-
Monitoring downstream station
-
Performance impact estimation method
Catchment outlet
Performance impact estimation information
Monitoring of the groundwater level was carried out in 13 groundwater monitoring well. Vegetation/habitat monitoring was carried out in 35 habitat monitoring plots.
Application scale
Plot
Installation date
2012-09
Age
2
Performance timescale
< 1 year
Area (ha)
60
Area subject to Land use change or Management/Practice change (ha)
60
Size
60
Size unit
ha
Design capacity unit
m
Design capacity description
It is obseved increase of groundwater level is 0.15-0.2 m and decrease of groundwater level fluctation, after the dam building on drainage ditches.
Basis of design
not measured
Constraints
Due to natural conditions, there was no possibility to use technique and dams were built by hand. Unfortunately the part of the dams is partly washed out by water now and in a result raised bog is not restored as expected.
Favourable preconditions
Location in Especially Protected Nature Area and Natura 2000 site
Public consultation
1
Contractural arrangements
1
Design contractual arrangement
Arrangement type Responsibility Role Comments Name
Contractual agreement
Development of nature management plan
Development of nature management plan
Latvijas Fund for nature
Contractual agreement
Development of technical design and construction of NWRM
Melioprojekts
Design consultation activity
Activity stage Key issues Name Comments
Other
location of dam sites, changes of groundwater level, impact on habitats
Stackholder consutation
In total 4 stakeholders meetings were organised during the whole elaboration process of nature management plan (elaboration of technical design of NWRM is included). Meeting were attended by local governance, inhabitants, relevant state institutions ect.
Design land use change
Land use change type
Peat bogs
Design authority
Authority type Role Responsibility Name Comments
Other
Initiation of the measure
University of Latvia
Project manager, iniciator of the measure, monitoring
Other
Monitoring
SJSC Latvian state forests
Manager of state-owned forest lands and Aklais Mire is located in state-owned forest land
Key lessons
The main goal of the implemented NWRM was to restore natural hydrological regime in the drained raised bog located in nature reserve and included in Natura 2000 site. Building of a dam was chosen as most appropriate method to stop artificial drainage. Due to natural conditions, there was no possibility to use technique and heavy machinery, therefore dams were built by hand. Unfortunately a part of the dams is destroyed by waters now and in a result raised bog is not restored as expected. The main lesson for future is to use proper technology for constructing a safer dam.
Success factor(s)
Success factor type Success factor role Comments
Attitude of relevant stakeholders
main factor

common understanding about nature assets maintenece

Financing
Financing type Comments
EU-funds: LIFE+
National funds
Other
international funds
Barrier
Barrier type Barrier role Comments
Driver
Driver type Driver role Comments
Other
main driver
izmaiņas hidrol režīmā un biotopa/ veģetācijā
Financing share
Financing share type Share Comments
European funds
75
National funds
25
Policy description
Restoration of degraded area of raised bog thus providing appropriate
living conditions for plant and animal species, many of them rare and protected in EU
Quantified objectives
4.0
Policy target
Target purpose
Increase Water Storage
Improved Biodiversity
Peak-flow reduction
Runoff control
Policy pressure
Pressure directive Relevant pressure
Policy area
Policy area type Policy area focus Name Comments
Policy impact
Impact directive Relevant impact
Policy wider plan
Wider plan type Wider plan focus Name Comments
Policy requirement directive
Requirement directive Specification
Direct benefits information
No direct economical benefits
Ancillary benefits information
No additional indirect economical benefits
Costs investment
18000
Costs investment information
EUR 6000 for technical design, EUR 12 0000 dam building
Costs operation maintenance
There is no need for operational costs
Costs total
18000
Costs total information
Operational costs costs are not foreseen for this measure
Ecosystem improved biodiversity
1
Information on Ecosystem improved biodiversity
Changes in vegetation are insignificant yet as it takes more time for plants to restore. However, typical raised bog species like bog-moss Sphagnum cuspidatum and cotton-grass Eriophorum vaginatum have begun to dominate percentage cover while the cover of heather Calluna vulgaris has begun to decrease.
Information on Ecosystem provisioning services
Not yet. Increase of wild berries (cranberries) is expected
Ecosystem impact climate regulation
Not relevant for the specific application
Information on retained water
not measured
Information on increased water storage
not measured
Information on runoff reduction
not measured
Information on Peak flow rate reduction
-
Increased groundwater level
0.17
Information on Increased groundwater level
0.15-0.2 according hydrological motioring data in 2013
Water quality overall improvements
Not relevant for this application
Economic costs income loss unit
€/ha
Ecosystem erosion control impact unit
% reduction
Soil quality overall soil improvements
Not relevant for this application
Information on Soil quality overall soil improvements
no surveys
Information on Effect delaying peak
-

Partners

Logos of all partners of NWRM project