Project activities

The purpose of this work package is to carry out structured management and coordination of the Project in order to achieve the goals set in the Project. The expected result is the correct, timely and within the budget implementation of the Project activities and the achievement of the Project goals, as well as timely and high-quality reporting on the progress of the project to the coordinating body of the LIFE program – European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA).

The project management activity is a continuous activity throughout the project implementation, which ensures the overall management of the administrative, technical and financial aspects of the project.

Main operational tasks:
1. Administer the Project in accordance with national laws and regulations and LIFE program guidelines and regulations and other binding regulations;
2. Monitor the overall progress of the project;
3. Ensure timely preparation and submission of Project reports and deliverables to CINEA, ensure connection between CINEA and the project, project documentation and project partners;
4. ensure compliance of project expenses with the project implementation plan and achievement of the planned goals according to the action schedule;
5. to process and manage Project documents;
6. create and maintain a continuous and effective flow of information and communication between partners and ensure maximum use of existing synergies;
7. communicate with the Commission and provide related beneficiaries with copies of the technical and financial reports submitted to the Agency/Commission, as well as the Agency/Commission’s reactions to these documents.

The external audit is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the LIFE program. A project audit is necessary to ensure accurate accounting of the project budget, cash flow and all expenses incurred, and an independent assessment of the eligibility of expenses. For the successful implementation of the project, compliance with national laws and regulations, as well as Life program rules and various agreements, is important.

In order to continue the activities of the project and to ensure the sustainability of the achievements of the project, an After-LIFE plan will be developed at the end of the project. It will set out how the Project will continue and develop specific activities implemented within the Project in the following years after the end of the Project and how long-term management will be provided to ensure this.

The purpose of this work package is to carry out preparatory work, discover and eliminate any conditions and obstacles that may hinder the initiation, implementation and completion of work part No. 3 "Action". The result of the preparation activity is the drawing up of structured work plans for the performance of work part No. 3 "Activities", determination of the involved partners, sequence of work, time determination, collection of necessary data for the performance of work part No. 3 "Activities", etc.

Deliverable D2.1 Summary - Work plan of freshwater habitat improvement

In this activity, a work plan will be prepared for improving the availability, quantity and quality of habitats for ecologically sensitive fish species, where the locations of the activities, the methods used, the time and deadline, the cooperation of the involved project partners and other parties, etc. will be indicated.
In order to ensure the execution of the works, an agreement will be concluded with the landowners on the equipment access corridors, as well as expert opinions will be received on the possible impact of fish resources, which are necessary for the application of the technical regulations of the State Environmental Service. At this stage, cartographic and historical materials and documentation will be evaluated, as well as field research – survey of the territory in nature.

Deliverable D2.5 Summary - Selection of monitoring method for assessing the effectiveness of riparian forest management
Deliverable D2.6 Summary - Report on analysis of stakeholders and interested parties

In this activity, a work plan for the management of riparian forests will be prepared, where the locations of the activities, the methods used, the time and deadline, the cooperation of the involved project partners and other parties, etc. will be indicated. The aim of this activity is to address and attract forest owners in the Salaca sub-catchment (in the area where the project activities are planned), so that demonstration areas with different composition of tree species, white alder replacement demonstration areas, as well as a demonstration trail can be created in the forest lands. The main activities of this activity are the agreement with the landowners on the creation of the demonstration area and the demonstration trail, the selection of the place for taking the chemical analysis, the survey and marking of the demo areas, the selection of the management technique, method, type and time, the selection of the monitoring plots.

Deliverable D2.4 Summary - Report of study design and methods

The objective of the activity is to establish a framework for a comprehensive assessment of ecosystem services in the Salaca river valley. This framework will support the sustainable management and improvement of the water quality and resources of the Salaca river by modelling the ecosystem impacts of different land use practices, river management and restoration measures. The framework will also be used to monitor the impacts of project activities. It will build on existing approaches such as the European Commission’s MAES framework and specific river ecosystem assessment methodologies such as LIFE GoodWater IP and LIFE IP CleanEST.

T.2.4.1 Compilation and evaluation of available data from surface water and habitat surveys

Completed
Main partner: LEGMC
Other partners: NCA
Deliverable D2.7 "Common database"
At the beginning of the project, available data on the ecological quality of surface waters and the quality of freshwater habitats in the Salaca catchment will be collected. The database will contain the results of measurements of physical-chemical parameters, information on biological quality indicators, hydromorphological quality and parameters characterizing the quality of freshwater habitats. The database is intended to include the ecological and chemical quality monitoring data carried out by LVĜMC, the results of fish monitoring carried out by BIOR, the data of freshwater habitat surveys held by NCA, as well as the available information and data from other sources (results of various projects, publication and scientific research data, etc.).

T.2.4.2 Site selection for hydromorphology assessment, monitoring sites and selection of most suitable methodology

Completed
Main partner: LEGMC
Other partners: NCA, BIOR
Deliverable D2.8 "List of hydromorphological and biological monitoring sites"
Deliverable D2.9 Summary - Report and field protocols of harmonized hydromorphological methodology
At the start of the project, it is planned to review the methods used in other countries for the assessment of the hydromorphological quality of rivers and evaluate their suitability for Latvian conditions. In this activity, it is planned to improve the hydromorphological quality assessment method used in Latvia in such a way that the obtained results can also be used for habitat quality characterization. The improved method will be tested and approved for Latvian conditions in activity T.3.5.1. In this activity, potential monitoring sites in the Salaca basin will be selected, taking into account both the currently existing surface water ecological and hydrochemical monitoring stations and new water objects, as well as the monitoring network of freshwater habitats of EU importance. The potential monitoring sites will be selected in order to obtain information about the state of the biotope as a result of the survey, as well as the information necessary for evaluating the ecological quality

This is the core of the project, or the most important part of the project, through which the content of the project (planned activities) is implemented in order to achieve the goals and objectives set in the project.

In order to increase the quality and quantity of habitats for ecologically vulnerable fish species, reduction of sediments and loosening of the river bed will be carried out in sections of the Salacas River, which is a protected habitat of European Union importance 3260 “Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation”. The works in the river bed will be carried out from July 15 (the time when the baby birds and fish have grown large enough to avoid the excavator) until September 15 (the time when the salmon begin to swim into Salaca and prepare to spawn). The biotope will be improved with a special soil loosener and a water pump with a hydraulic drive. In areas with thicker overgrowth and sediment, it will be dug out with a bucket. The vegetation and sediments excavated from the river will be placed on the river bank above the levee line of the river, which will prevent the sediments from returning to the river. On the other hand, rapids that are not so overgrown will be loosened with a soil loosener and, thanks to the current, will clean themselves. The excavator will be equipped with biodegradable oils and lubricants to reduce the risk of contamination. Within the framework of the project, a total of 20 ha of fish spawning grounds and habitats of EU significance 3260 will be restored in the sub-basin of the Salacas River.

The aim of this activity is to demonstrate a new approach to riparian forest management based on ecosystem services assessment. As part of this activity, the following will be created:
• 40 ha of demonstration areas of riparian forests with forest plots of different age, composition and structure (cutting down bushes and other useless trees, targeted planting of saplings of certain tree species, care of saplings, protection of saplings against animal damage);
• Replacement of 25 ha of white alder trees in the riparian forest area (cutting of white alder trees, soil preparation using various methods used in forestry, preparation and planting of seedlings, application of seedling protection measures against damage caused by ungulates, regular care of the area);
• Creation of a 4 km long demonstration trail (elimination of undergrowth, fallen trees and dangerous trees, ground cover milling in the trail lane, installation of railings in the steepest sections of the trail, installation of simplified footbridges in wet depressions, QR code.
• Preparation of 25 videos about the activities carried out, about processes in different seasons, evaluation of ecosystem services, inseparability of forest and river ecosystems and the impact of river bank processes on water quality.

The most important ecosystem services in riparian forests are:
• Supply services: fish resources and timber obtained from forests growing on river banks.
• Regulation and maintenance services: regulation of climate and water circulation, maintenance of fresh water quality, erosion control, pollution filtering, accumulation of nutrients, provision of habitats (living, breeding, feeding places, migration corridors).
• Cultural services: recreation opportunities, provide people with spiritual, aesthetic enjoyment, serve as a source of inspiration and provide cultural heritage, scientific and educational services.
As part of this activity, a model will be created to characterize the impact of management activities on future changes in the total value of riparian forest and river ecosystem services (ES), which can be used as a stand-alone (on the project website, as well as applied in fieldwork and demonstration) as well as being integrated in decision support systems.
The main function of the model: to predict the total value of a set of ecosystem services after 30 years without management, as well as with a proposed management action, to assess whether the action provides residual or enhanced value and the trade-offs between the delivery of different services.
The task includes the development and testing of three scenarios to calculate the aggregated value of ecosystem services. These theoretical scenarios are as follows: 1) no management scenario – complete abandonment of riparian forests without human intervention (the lowest level of anthropogenic disturbance); 2) production forest management scenario – application of all usual forestry practices (in this case, not observing the restrictions applied to surface water protection zones; the highest level of anthropogenic disturbance, but uneven spatial distribution); 3) the scenario of improving the ecological functionality of coastal strips – application of a combination of existing management recommendations, for example, the promotion of broad-leaved trees, the elimination of common spruce and gray alder monocultures, the improvement of ground vegetation lighting conditions, the creation of a complex multi-layered tree stand in order to maximize the ability of the riparian forest ecosystem to perform its ecological functions (reduce sediment and nutrient influx, prevent erosion, preserve habitats and biodiversity).

T.3.3.1 Collection of the data on current situation for the modeling tool

In progress
Main partner: SILAVA
Other partners: NCA, BIOR

T.3.3.2 Modeling tool development

In planning
Main partner: SILAVA
Other partners: NCA, BIOR

T.3.3.3 Scenario modeling

In planning
Main partner: SILAVA
Other partners: NCA, BIOR

The activity includes the development of a nature protection plan for the nature park “Salacas ieleja”, which currently does not have a valid nature protection plan. The nature protection plan will be developed in a “new framework”, which is currently being developed by LIFE IP LatViaNature. The plan will also include the results of the project activities.

T.3.5.1 Field surveys for assessment of hydromorphological quality features

In progress
Main partner: LEGMC
Other partners: NCA, BIOR
Using in activity T.2.4.2. improved field protocols, the initial assessment of the hydromorphological and habitat quality will be carried out in Salaca and its tributaries along a total length of 60 km. Based on the results of this survey, the most suitable places for cleaning river sections will be selected.

T.3.5.2 Overall river ecological quality assessment

In progress
Main partner: LEGMC
Other partners: NCA
Assessment of ecological quality using biological (macrophytes, macrozoobenthos), physical-chemical (total nitrogen, total phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen consumption, ammonium ions) and hydromorphological quality elements.

T.3.5.3 Development of common metric for Habitat Directive and Water Framework Directive harmonization

In progress
Main partner: LEGMC
Other partners: NCA
Development of the unified index, which will allow a direct comparison of the assessment of the quality or status of rivers according to the requirements of Water Framework Directive and Habitats Directive. The single index will be used in the development of the 4th cycle UBAP, in the EU reporting streams and in the development of the protected area measures program.

T.3.5.4 Development of joint monitoring network for Habitat Directive and Water Framework Directive harmonization

In progress
Main partner: LEGMC
Other partners: NCA
This task is the final step of the coordination of the Salacas river sub-system, summarizing all the results of the previous activities. It also includes field work - collection and testing of missing data at joint nature monitoring stations.

Hydrological, chemical and biological monitoring, which will allow to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented measures and the impact on the ecological quality of water bodies.

The impact of project activities on the state of ecosystems and provision of services will be evaluated using the main performance indicators provided by the LIFE program, as well as the set of ecosystem service indicators developed by the event. Data for the evaluation of the impact of the project activities on the state of ecosystems and the provision of services will be collected by surveys conducted within the project, as well as other secondary data sets identified during the preparatory activities.

The purpose of this part of the work is to ensure the dissemination, transfer, sustainability, use and exchange of experience of the knowledge gained in the project through a set of different activities.

By summarizing the experience and knowledge gained during the project, guidelines will be prepared:
• Riparian forest management. There are 200,000 ha of riparian forests in Latvia, which directly affects many private and legal forest owners, as well as state and municipal forest managers. The guidelines will promote a wider understanding of what and how to do in riparian forests. The guidelines will include both the conclusions reached in the course of the project and the findings of the scientific practice of the industry, as well as demonstrations and examples of work carried out in the areas of white oak replacement.

• Improving habitat availability, quantity and quality for ecologically sensitive fish species. During the project, experience will be gained on the most suitable excavator technique, loosening method and the most suitable selection of buckets for excavating the vegetation of degraded rapids. Observations will be made about the most suitable salmon spawning material (substrate) and the most suitable spawning place in the rapids. Large-scale rapid restoration and data acquisition will lead to the development of guidelines for specialist excavator operations to be undertaken in overgrown salmon rapids, e.g. (Venta, Gauja).

• Guidelines for the coordinated monitoring network of the Habitats Directive and the Water Framework Directive will be prepared. Guidelines for the coordinated monitoring network of the Habitats Directive and the Water Framework Directive will be prepared. Best practices and the alignment process will be described step by step. The main users of these guidelines will be national supervisory authorities, including the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development. These guidelines will also be presented in one of the EU working groups on water quality (eg ECOSTAT).

Taking into account the results of the project, proposals for changes in regulatory acts will be prepared:

1) In riparian forest management:

2) Implementation of ecosystem service evaluation principles in regulatory acts;

3) For the next period monitoring plan in connection with the harmonization of the Water Framework Directive and the Habitats Directive.

For the further use of knowledge, educational seminars and individual trainings will be held for professionals and industry experts in the management of riparian forests, improvement of habitat availability, quantity and quality for ecologically sensitive fish species, as well as in the harmonization activity of the Habitats Directive and the Water Framework Directive.

Several networking events are planned within the project:
1. Experience exchange trips. In the initial part of the project, a number of experience exchange trips are planned, including trips to ongoing LIFE projects, where the same or similar problems are solved and activities are carried out, where you can gain additional experience.
2. Participation in international/local conferences with reports on project activities and achievable results.
3. Several publications in Q1 level scientific journals;
4. Holding an international conference in the areas of riparian forest management and ecosystem services assessment.
5. Final event of the project, where the results of the project and what has been done in the project will be presented.

As part of this activity, it is planned to create an ecosystem service assessment model that can be used and practically applied as a decision-making support tool.

The main goals of this work package are to ensure communication and recognition of the project, as well as communication to the wider public, especially to local residents, where the project activities will take place (Salacgrīvas city, Limbažu district).

This Project activity will provide communication activities with society – mass media, television, radio, newspapers, social networks, etc. As part of this activity, it is planned to create an interactive exhibition “On the banks and depths of Salaca, in the Salacgrīva Nature Education Center. It will include a variety of information in popular scientific language about the Salaca River, freshwater quality, species and habitats. The exhibition will consist of four complementary exhibitions – river management from ancient times to the present day , an underwater world in the river, a laboratory and a mini cinema.

The Layman report is a summary of project activities and achieved results, which is developed at the final stage of project implementation. It is intended to be developed by the LIFE program.

The project foresees more events in communication with the society in Salacgrīva and its region:
1. At the start of the project, 4 indoor seminars are planned in different settlements (Salacgrīva, Limbaži, Staicele, Mazsalaca), where local residents will be invited to be informed about the project.
2. Every year, the Salmon Cup in Salacgrīva and the Salaca Clean-up will be supported, where the project partners will provide informative project activities and everyone is invited to participate.
3. It is planned to visit local schools twice a year to tell students about the activities planned in the Project and why it is necessary.