Riga forest specialists learn from the LIFE IS SALACA experience

On 31 July, at a practical field seminar, Mārcis Saklaurs, lead riparian forest researcher of the LIFE is SALACA project, introduced specialists from SIA “Rīgas meži” to one of the project’s most important activities – riparian forest management.

Specialists from various fields took part in the visit – foresters and experts in nature conservation, planning and logging, united by an interest in sustainable forest management and ecosystem services.

Visiting several project sites around the Svētupe, the participants got to know the practical solutions used in riparian forest management.

The LIFE IS SALACA project area also includes the Svētupe basin, where the Katrīna forestry of SIA “Rīgas meži” is located. The company owns some properties directly on the Svētupe, so its interest in the project’s activities and approaches to riparian forest management is only natural. During the practical seminar, the participants looked at the restored stands, discussed the choice of different tree species and their suitability for riverside areas, and assessed the development of the beeches planted last autumn.

One of the activities of the LIFE IS SALACA project is to demonstrate a new approach to riparian forest management that helps reduce the input of nutrients into watercourses and reduce eutrophication. This can be achieved by choosing the tree species composition best suited to the specific site. This approach promotes more diverse stands, improves water quality and creates more favourable living conditions for plants and animals both in rivers and on their banks.

As Mārcis Saklaurs, lead riparian forest expert of the LIFE IS SALACA project, stresses, the meeting was valuable not only for passing on knowledge but also for exchanging experience. “It was a very powerful day. The guests were interested not only in what we do but also in why we do it. They wanted to understand how our experience could be used in managing their own properties. Riparian forests are complex ecosystems – every section is different, so there is no single recipe for all places. That is exactly why it is important to learn in nature and share experience.”

“Rīgas meži has extensive experience in various fields, and it is very important for us to hear their views and understand how they see different solutions. They develop modern IT systems and forestry solutions that we can also learn from. It is not just them learning from us – we can also borrow ideas from them and use them in the LIFE IS SALACA project; they have built up a huge knowledge base. Thank you for your time – we spent almost six hours together at the practical field seminar,” said Mārcis Saklaurs.

At the end of the meeting, the representatives of SIA “Rīgas meži” also shared their recommendations. Gatis Eriņš, the company’s biodiversity and habitat protection specialist, pointed out that the project’s practical work is very important, but it would be even easier for the public to understand if there were vivid, easy-to-grasp stories, or “highlights”, to help people better see the project’s benefits.