Action D includes seasonal, recurring activities.
ACTION D.1: Remove reed and scrubs in the area of 66 ha of meadows
and calcareous fens
66 ha of meadows and fens (not grazed or mowed before the start of the project) were cleared from reed and scrubs in order to prevent over-growing of this habitat type. It was done both manually (in vulnerable places) and by special mowing equipment by local workers sub-contracted in the end of summer, thus avoiding harmful effects on breeding birds. These meadows are an important habitat for two priority bird species - breeding habitat for Crex crex
and feeding habitat for Aquila pomarina.
EU Agro-environmental subsidies were not available for implementing of this action (meadows should be freed from bush before that). After the completing of project it will be possible to continue maintenance of those meadows by using Agro-environmental subsidies. All together during the project years 66 ha of meadows and calcareous fens were cleared from the scrubs.
Results:
66 ha of meadows and fens cleared from reeds and scrub.
ACTION D.2: Mowing the hay in the area of 140 ha of meadow
The main result of this activity is in starting of large scale meadow management works in Ķemeri national park that allowed maintaining stable or growing population of Corncrake Crex crex. Life funding was used only in summer 2003, when EU Agro-environmental subsidies were not yet available for such activities. Managing of Slampe meadows and floodplain of river Lielupe is now contracted to two local farmers - “Kalnaji” and “Plostmuizas Laci”, who have applied for the EU support. There are still some problems created by the regulations of Agro-environmental support – it is obligatory to collect the cutted hay while farmers are not interested in it (late cutted hay has low energetical value).
Results:
160,7 (2003) to 302,3 (2005) ha of meadows mowed by local farmers in the project areas.
ACTION D.3: Remove reed and scrubs from the islands on the lake
Kaņieris
Islands of lake Kaņieris are important nesting site for waterfowl and gull colonies. Their over-growing decreases bird diversity and numbers on the lake. Therefore, clearing of islands is important for waterfowl conservation. It was done manually, using the shrub-cutter, once a year, in the autumn when the birds’ breeding season is over. Organic material removed was burnt on the spot.
Besides that, action included fragmentation of reeds, encircling the islands. Works were done in late summer 2003, using a special floating reed cutter “Seiga”.
Results:
- Reeds remowed or fragmentated in the 16,2 ha around islands;
- Scrubs cleared on 7 islands (total area 18,1 ha).