Action C includes diverse one-time (non-recurring) actions.
ACTION C.1: Restore the hydrological monitoring system
In 1947-1993, the meteorological/hydrological station worked at the northern edge of the Lielais Ķemeru Bog, being a unique monitoring station in the raised bog. It has left numerous unattended, open boreholes around Lielais Kemeri bog – sources of dangerous pollution to the groundwater in bog area. That meant need of assessment of existing boreholes around the Lielais Ķemeri bog - old boreholes were tested in order to find out whether they are usable for continued groundwater monitoring. There was a need also to develop new monitoring system for this unique hydrological system.
Action proposed as well to develop visitor information boards near the entrance of popular visitors trail in Lielais Kemeri bog. It educates the public about the bog ecosystem, their significance and bog restoration within the LIFE project.
Results:
- information about the former monitoring systems was arranged and current condition of existing boreholes was checked;
- simple system of surface water level monitoring was developed by the company implementing action C2.;
- information board was erected near Lielais Ķemeru bog. It educates the public about bog ecosystem and bog restoration, done during the Life project.
ACTION C.2: Block drainage ditches and ensure access to the bog
surroundings after raising water level
Following detailed investigations under action A1 22 ditches around the Lielais Ķemeru Bog were blocked by building dams in order to decrease discharge of water from the swamp and the periphery of the bog, which will result in improved natural hydrological conditions of the area. Raising the level of forest road (1,4 km) and repair of three culverts was necessary after blocking of drainage ditches.
Restoration of natural hydrological regime of Lielais Ķemeru bog was foreseen by the park’s management plan and was essential for the project success. The action was carried out provided that private lands in the outskirts of the project site are not negatively affected by the raised water level. It was expected that the potential impact on private lands is very unlikely to happen, because Kemeri Bog and the adjoining territories are exclusively state-owned and these lands are surrounded by a network of drainage ditches.
Results:
- 22 ditches blocked by peat dams (61 dam built);
- 1,4 km of forest road rebuilt;
- 60, 40 and 60 m long dams with culverts created;
- Restored sites are located on the main routes of natural water discharge, therefore it can be considered that entire bog system (5752 ha) benefited. Intensity of bog regeneration in restored areas will be indicated by future monitoring results.
ACTION C.3: Restore natural riverbed of the river Slampe
Meandering of the present riverbed at the western edge of the park was done in the 2,1 km of the river’s valley by digging and damming the present channelled riverbed and making artificial meanders to increase the length of the river in this part to 4,6 km. In the previous decades, the natural valley of the river was changed (straightened) by melioration in order to increase water discharge from the wet natural flood-plain meadows. Restoration of the former riverbed will improve hydrological regime of the area and adjacent lowland hay meadows bringing back the flood-plain ecosystem, which will be facilitated by natural grazing (C6). Restoration of the flood-plain meadows are directly aiming at restoration of the habitats suitable for nesting of the Corncrake Crex crex.
Results:
2,1 km long channel turned in to 4,6 km long meandered stream, floodplain system restored.
ACTION C.4: Renewal of fish migration between the Lake Kaņieris and sea
In 2002 the sluice system at channel connecting the lake with the sea, was old (built in 1970ies) and needed improvements. Originally, it was built in order to regulate water level in the lake. Consecutive opening of sluice gates ensured the migration of fish between the lake and sea in late 1970ies – 1980ies, until the system was broken.
In frames of the project, the sluice mechanism was reconstructed and improved – watergates were changed and hydraulic lifting system and electronic steering system installed. Sluice gate now have programmable regime of work which allows to sustain the same level in Lake Kanieris during the bird breeding season as well as to provide migration of fish and other water fauna species through the gate system in migration periods. Fence is built around the sluice gate and the pedestrian bridge is arranged.
The new sluice will not only improve natural fish migration but also will maintain stable water level in the lake in order to ensure favourable nesting conditions for water birds which is a priority aim for this Ramsar site. Stable water level is crucial for a high nesting success of waterfowl and a high survival rate of chicks. Fluctuations of the water level negatively affect also Cladium mariscus habitat in calcareous fens (EU habitat 7210*).
Kanieris is a shallow lagoon-type lake (average depth is 0.6 m, max – 1.8 m). > 50% of the lake is covered by the floating vegetation and reedbeds (EU habitat 3140-Hard oligo-mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp.). The bottom of the lake is composed of both sand and mud, and dolomite.
Results:
Sluice gates reconstructed, fish migration enabled again in spring 2007.
ACTION C.5: Lower the level of dry land of 4 artificial islands
on the lake Kaņieris
The level of islands was reduced in order to create vegetation that is typical for flood-plain meadows and to decrease denning possibilities for Mustela vison, which causes predation on waterfowl. The level of the islands was shovelled off by special floating excavator “Watermaster”. As a result of the action the islands’ level is just about the water level in the lake Kaņieris, creating the most favourable conditions for nesting waterfowl if the constant water level is maintained by means of the sluice.
Results:
The level of outer zone of four islands reduced in total area of 1,3 ha.
ACTION C.6: Natural grazing of the floodplain meadows by the river
Slampe
Introduction of wild horses (koniks) and bovids was done in Dunduru meadows (area near restored river Slampe) in order to facilitate natural grazing. 6300 m of fence was built around the meadows to prevent grazers from dispersal into agricultural lands. The area to be grazed by herbivores totals 105 ha. 15 Heck cattle and 10 Konik horses were released in nature. Serious crisis happened in late February – early March 2005 when after strong frost three cattle died. Happily cattle survived even stronger and longer frost in January 2006 - thus we hope that they have adapted to local conditions which are considerably harsher than in Belgium where they have born.
To educate the farmers, managing the herds, a special manual was prepared by the projects partner WWF. There was as well a constant work done to educate and inform the managers of farm “Kalnaji”, who are responsible for herds in Slampe meadows.
Free-ranging grazers, present in the area all year round, prevents over-growing of the meadows. Also, they facilitate renaturalisation of the floodplain meadows previously used for agriculture. Besides, presence of wild horses and cattle attracts visitors to the area and thus promotes development of tourism in the park, facilitating economic development of the region. Similar project is being carried out by WWF-Latvia in south-west of the country and it proved to be a successful method for meadow management in areas where interest of landowners in managing the meadows is low.
Results:
6300 m of fence built to fence 105 ha large area. 15 wild-ranging cattle and 10 Konik horses introduced.
ACTION C.7: Aerial photography of the territory
Ķemeri National park has received full set of high quality aerial photographs taken in 2003 and 2004. This work was done by State Land Service and maps were available for free for state institutions – this was not known initially when project proposal was written.
In August 2006 aerial photographs were taken for several of the project areas: Slampe meadows, NE corner of Lielais Ķemeri bog and floodplain of River Lielupe. High quality aerial photographs were obtained for areas where project activities already have been realised (Slampe meadows, floodplain of river Lielupe) or where they were about to be done – in Lielais Ķemeri bog situation shortly before the raising of water level was documented for monitoring purposes.
In Lielais Ķemeri bog and on islands of Lake Kaņieris project activities (C.2 and C.5) were completed too late in the season (December and November 2006 respectively) to make repeated aerial photographing possible. Such materials will be obtained during the next aerial photographing sessions, arranged by the administration of ĶNP.
Results:
- Full set of territories aero photos obtained (years 2003 and 2004);
- Repeated aero photographing of Slampe river area, NE corner of Lielais Ķemeru bog and floodplain of river Lielupe. Detailed map in scale 1:2000 received.