LIFE IS SALACA experts report on project results at the 83rd International Scientific Conference of the University of Latvia

From January to March this year, the University of Latvia held its annual international scientific conference to share the latest research and ideas, strengthen the scientific community and create new knowledge. The LIFE IS SALACA project was represented at the conference with three presentations.

In the Spatial Development and Planning section, on 7 March, in the session An “ideas exchange” for the development of planning, drawing on planning and project practice, Maija Bumbiere gave the presentation LIFE IS SALACA EXPERIENCE IN DETERMINING PROTECTION ZONES OF WATER BODIES. She presented the lessons learned, from compiling geospatial data to setting the boundary of the protection zone. The primary function of a protection zone is to prevent the negative impact of economic activities that threaten the quality of a watercourse, so restrictions on economic activity apply within it. That is why a protection zone that is based on data and set according to common principles is essential for the sustainable management of areas.

On 20 March, the subsection on Research and Protection of the Latvian Water Environment featured two project presentations. In the Ichthyology research session, Kaspars Abersons gave the presentation RESTORING SALMON HABITATS IN THE SALACA – FROM PLANNING TO ACTION. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the experience and challenges of rapids restoration in the most important salmon river in the Baltics – the Salaca. Thorough preparation is essential for rapids restoration measures, so that the effort invested brings the expected results and no harm is done to other natural values. That is why fish experts, habitat experts and those carrying out the restoration work all work together.

In the Inland water quality and management session, Jolanta Jēkabsone gave the presentation ASSESSMENT OF THE HABITAT AND HYDROMORPHOLOGICAL QUALITY OF RIVERS IN THE SALACA BASIN, giving an insight into the extensive fieldwork carried out using the harmonised fieldwork protocol developed in the project, which combines the requirements of two directives, as well as into the first results. The hydromorphological quality of the rivers in the Salaca basin is higher than that of other Latvian rivers. However, the main factors affecting their quality are various man-made barriers, fallen trees and excessive overgrowth with macrophytes, which completely block the flow and cause the rapids to become overgrown.

The research and monitoring carried out with scientific methods in the LIFE IS SALACA project will make it possible to better understand what is happening and to adapt management measures to improve the ecosystems of watercourses and their banks.