Krustkalni Nature Reserve

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Krustkalni Nature Reserve
wilderness area)
Location	Eastern Latvia
Nearest city	Madona
Coordinates	56°46′00″N 26°09′00″E / 56.76667°N 26.15000°E / 56.76667; 26.15000
Area	2,979 ha (7,360 acres)[1]
Established	April 15, 1977

Krustkalni Nature Reserve (

Before its creation, the lands of the reserve belonged to the Krustkalni forest research station. Even before the establishment of the protected area, both Baltic German and Latvian naturalists, including Nikolajs Malta [lv], knew that this region had the richest flora of eastern Latvia. Due to the difficult terrain, these areas were challenging to cultivate and impossible to apply intensive methods of forestry. At the same time, due to the height differences and the variety of landscapes, this area was characterized by rich vegetation and fauna. Given these two factors, From the 1950s, researchers from the University of Latvia and the university's Institute of Biology began to explore the area, and it became a venue for student field internships. Under the leadership of the Institute of Biology, the first nature reserve in eastern Latvia was established there on April 15, 1977.^[5] In total 69 land lots of the forest became a nature reserve, but temporarily remained in use by the research station. In 1979 the Slītere Nature Reserve was established, to which all other Latvian reserves including Krustkalni were subordinated. In 1982 Teiči Nature Reserve was organized, also in eastern Latvia. Since the Teiči reserve was located in the same region as Krustkalni, a joint administration was established for the reserves, subordinated to the Latvian Production Forestry Association "Latvias Mejs".^[2] Since February 1, 2011, the joint administration of both eastern Latvian reserves has been under the direction of the Latgale regional administration.^[3]

Climate

The reserve is located in the transition zone between the

The reserve is located in eastern Latvia, on the border of the Vidzeme and Latgale historical regions. Its territory lies entirely within Madona Municipality, whose center, the city of Madona, is 15 km from the boundaries of the reserve. The outline of the reserve resembles a triangle, which reaches the village of Mārciena [lv] in the northwest, in the northeast is bounded by the Madona–Jēkabpils road, and in the south the Aiviekste river, which flows on the outskirts of Ļaudona village.

The area of the reserve lies on the

There are many bodies of water in the reserve, which can be divided into three types: lakes, rivers and springs. The largest in the area are the lakes, of which there are 13. Among them is Lake Dreimaņa, on the southwestern shore of which is a one and a half kilometer peninsula. Like other lakes concentrated in the eastern part of the protected area, Dreimaņa has marshy shores and a bottom composed of limestone with layers of silt. From the lake the Svetupe River flows through the central part of the Dooku-Svetes depression to the south, absorbs the Nidrīte [lv] tributary and flows into the Aiviekste. Another river, the Nīdreite [lv], has a spring supply and encircles the reserve from the southwest. All of these rivers are small and winding, with low banks and rich vegetation. The reserves's springs are concentrated at the foot of the hills and on the shores of Lake Dreimaņa.

Geology and soils

The glacial origin of landforms determines the composition of geological rocks. These are large-grained

The reserve's ecosystem hosts 604

Protected vegetation

Within the reserve, scientists have identified 32 species of plants listed in the Latvian Red Book, a list of endangered species. Of these, of particular rarity are the

In the reserve live 41 species of mammals (70% of the country's mammals), 140 species of birds (45% of the country's birds), 5 species of reptiles, 6 species of amphibians, 21 species of fish and about 400 species of insects. Of these, 37 species are listed in the Latvian Red Book. The species of boreal mixed forests are mostly represented in the local fauna, with much fewer purely taiga and forest-steppe species.^[9]

Mammals

All species of insectivorous mammals in the reserve are common, such as the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), common shrew (Sorex araneus), Eurasian pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus), and European mole (Talpa europaea). Bats fly into the reserve only for night hunting, and during the day they hide in buildings outside the reserve, in particular in the villages of Ļaudona, Sāviena [lv], and Prauliena [lv]. Among the representatives of this series were observed the brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus), northern bat (Eptesicus nilssonii), pond bat (Myotis dasycneme), and common noctule (Nyctalus noctula).

The

The forests are also a refuge for various predators. In particular, there are numerous species of

Of the 140 species of birds found in the reserve, 107 species have been nesting. Given the prevalence of forest biocenoses, the dominant species in this area are small sparrows. Most often seen are the European robin (Erithacus rubecula), common chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita), wood warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) and willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus), and in some areas dominated by willow tit (Poecile montanus), great tit (Parus major), European pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca). However, many species of birds are confined to certain habitats. For example, only in coniferous forests it is possible to observe spotted nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes), crested tit (Lophophanes cristatus), red-breasted flycatcher (Ficedula parva), goldcrest (Regulus regulus), dunnock (Prunella modularis), song thrush (Turdus philomelos) and redwing (Turdus iliacus), yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella), etc. It nests exclusively on the edges and clearings European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus). The owners of deciduous forests are garden warbler (Sylvia borin), spotted flycatcher (Muscicapa striata), common linnet (Linaria cannabina).^[9]

The avifauna of open biocenoses is more reminiscent of the steppes and meadows of the south. Among the grasses arrange their nests

In autumn, only 50 species of birds remain in the reserve for the winter. These are not only sparrows (great and long-tailed tits, field and house sparrows, European greenfinch (Chloris chloris), Eurasian siskin (Spinus spinus), brown-headed nuthatches, and willow tits), but also representatives of other series, in particular, northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), lesser spotted woodpecker (Dryobates minor) and great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major). At this time, crows become very noticeable: western jackdaw (Coloeus monedula), Eurasian magpie (Pica pica), common raven (Corvus corax), hooded crow (Corvus cornix).

Birds of prey in the reserve, although not represented by too many species, but have stable populations. Of the diurnal predators, the most common are common buzzard (Buteo buteo) and the northern goshawk, slightly smaller Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus). From the surrounding areas to hunt for the reserve is often visited Eurasian hobby (Falco subbuteo). Of the nocturnal predators in the forests, tawny owl (Strix aluco) and long-eared owl (Asio otus) regularly nest. In addition to them, Eurasian pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum), boreal owl (Aegolius funereus) and Ural owl (Strix uralensis) were observed here.^[9]

Chicken birds are represented by such species as black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix), hazel grouse (Tetrastes bonasia) and grey partridge (Perdix perdix). But if the first two species in the reserve feel good, nest annually and even to some extent dominate in winter, the gray partridge suffers from the use of fertilizers and pesticides in the surrounding fields. Another species that is vulnerable for the same reason is corn crake (Crex crex). Waterfowl and waterfowl, tied to water bodies that are virtually unvisited by outsiders, do not experience anthropogenic pressure. On the lakes of the reserve there are numerous Eurasian coot (Fulica atra), mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus), garganey (Spatula querquedula) and Eurasian teal (Anas crecca) . The grey heron (Ardea cinerea) and black stork (Ciconia nigra) regularly come here for feeding, although the latter species is quite rare. During migrations in the reserve, large flocks of common crane (Grus grus) (single individuals remain for nesting), taiga bean goose (Anser fabalis) and greylag goose (Anser anser) stop for rest.^[9]

Reptiles

Of the five species of reptiles, Krustkalni has the largest population of

Amphibians

The most numerous species of amphibians in the reserve are the moor frog (Rana arvalis), followed by the pool frog (Pelophylax lessonae), common frog (Rana temporaria) and marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus), as well as the common toad (Bufo bufo). In the spring smooth newts appear in the rivers, but at other times of the year they are inconspicuous.^[9]

Fish

The most numerous species of fish in protected lakes are predators, including the

Invertebrates

Of the other

European crayfish

(Astacus astacus).

Scientific and economic activity

Krustkalni attracted the attention of scientists in the 19th century. In 1895, the botanist A. Rapp compiled a list of local flora, which already included 417 species of plants found on the outskirts of Liaudona. Since the 1940s, floristic research in Krustkalni has been conducted regularly by students University of Latvia. In 1972, a thorough study of local mosses was carried out by bryologist A. Abolin, and in 1976 the baton was taken over by the famous florist A. Rasinsh.^[9] Based on the results of these studies, it was decided to grant this area the status of a reserve in order to preserve unique habitats and their inherent diversity of plants. After the creation of the reserve, research on its territory was conducted by employees of the Teiči Reserves and, to some extent, Slītere National Park.

There is a strict protection regime on the territory of the reserve, which prohibits any economic activity: felling of trees, mining, hunting, harvesting of vegetable raw materials, introduced species, etc. Two public roads pass directly through the reserve, and its borders are adjacent to agricultural lands. Visiting the reserve by outsiders, even as part of excursion groups, is prohibited, with special permission, only scientists can do it.

References

1. ^ Krustkalnu Dabas Rezervāts Protected Planet
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Reserves of the USSR: in 11 volumes. ed. V. E. Sokolova, E. E. Syroechkovskogo. M .: Mysl, 1989. T. Zapovedniki Pribaltiki i Belorussii. S. 170—173.
3. ^ ^{a b} "Krustkalnu dabas rezervāts | Dabas aizsardzības pārvalde". www.daba.gov.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2023-08-17.
4. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j} Reserves of the USSR: in 11 volumes. ed. V. E. Sokolova, E. E. Syroechkovskogo. M .: Mysl, 1989. T. Zapovedniki Pribaltiki i Belorussii. S. 173—179.
5. ISBN 9789934049484
   .
6. ^ "Dreimaņa ezers". www.ezeri.lv. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
7. ^ Eriophorum latifolium NC State University and N.C. A&T State University
8. ^ Labrador Tea – Rhododendron tomentosum Lee Petersen
9. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m} Reserves of the USSR: in 11 volumes ed. V.E. Sokolova, E.E. Syroechkovskogo. Moscow, 1989. T. Zapovedniki Pribaltiki i Belorussii. S. 179—185.

External links

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