Piejūra
Piejūra | |
---|---|
Location | Riga, Carnikava Municipality, and Saulkrasti Municipality, Latvia |
Coordinates | 57°7′15″N 24°13′52″E / 57.12083°N 24.23111°E |
Area | 4,180 hectares (10,300 acres) |
Designation | Nature reserve, Natura 2000 (LV0301700)[1] |
Created | 1964 |
Operator | Pierīgas reģionālā administrācija |
Dabas parks Piejūra (lit. 'Nature Park Piejūra') is a
Location
The
The area of the park is 4,180 hectares (10,300 acres).
The park is primarily owned by State (56%), municipalities (40%) and only 4% privately.[6] There are few permanent residents in the area and most infrastructure is outside the area.[4] The park is divided into 3 functional zones: nature reserve, nature park and neutral zones.[6]
Geology
The 40–50 metres (130–160 ft) to 80–100 metres (260–330 ft) thick terrain consists of sand, aleurites and clay deposits, primarily from Baltic Ice Lake, Littorina Sea and its lagoons as well as alluvial river and delta sediments. Most of the territory is covered with around 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) meter thick sand sediment with up to 10–25 metres (33–82 ft) in dune ridges. The majority of territory's height ranges between 3–7 metres (9.8–23.0 ft) with up to 20–28 metres (66–92 ft) in the dune ridges. The newer West side is only 0.5–1.5 metres (1 ft 8 in – 4 ft 11 in) high.[4]
Ecology
80% of the park's area are forests, 10% are beaches and dunes, while only 2% are human infrastructure.[4]: 13 The park contains 24 identified EU biotopes that make up 84% of the territory. The most common biotopes are forested coastal dunes (2180), fixed coastal "gray" dunes with herbaceous vegetation (2130) and old boreal forests (9010).[4]: 10 Other less common biotopes and those of conservation interest are embryonic shifting dunes (2110), foredunes (2120), forested coastal dunes and old boreal forests,[2] Northern boreal alluvial meadows (6450), and boreal Baltic coastal meadows (1630).[5]
Many rare plant and animal species are found here.[2] Plant species are mainly determined based on the park's sand bedrock, high groundwater levels and poor natural drainage. Many rare vascular plant species are found here.[4] The park is one of the most notable bird migration routes in Europe. Various water birds and songbirds can be found here, including sightings of Eurasian eagle-owls and Sea eagles.[3]
Forests
Forests occupy 72% or 2,991.8 hectares (7,393 acres) area of the park,[4]: 105, 107 and have a high cultural and ecosystem regulation value.[4]: 113 Forests vary between new growths and old forests depending on soil and forestry practices.[4]: 105 80% of the forests are dry pine forests formed in dune ridges and hills.[4]: 105 In many locations, dense pine stands had been planted to stop the now-dormant shifting dunes.[4]: 105 There haven't been significant changes in forest biotope areas in recent years, although some of the "gray" dunes have becomes forested coastal dunes.[4]: 112 These forests are most influenced by recreational and tourist anthropogenic effects – foot traffic, garbage disposal, bad forestry practices.[4]: 113–114
There are six EU and Latvia protected forest biotopes and forested coastal dunes account for 93% of park's forests.[4]: 106–107 Other forest biotopes occupy relatively small areas and are old boreal forests, deciduous swamp woods (9080), bog woodland (91D0), alluvial forests (91E0), and herb-rich forests (9050).[4]: 106
Natural and planted forested coastal dunes take up a 2,769 hectares (6,840 acres) area and vary between compact dune groups to wide dune arrays as well wide inter-dune depressions, and can overlap with old boreal forests.[4]: 107–108 These primarily pine and rarer spruce forests are mostly dry, with poor mineral, nutrient and water circulation.[4]: 108 In interdune depressions, there are some mixed wet forests with a mixture of birch, black alder and pines.[4]: 108 Latvia is one of the few EU countries that still has natural forested coastal dunes, particularly without transformation.[4]: 107 The estimated biotope habitat quality of forests range between poor to excellent, with potential for poorer areas to improve with proper maintenance.[4]: 109, 111 About 500 hectares (1,200 acres) are old pine stands that closest match natural forests, some reaching 250 year age. These location have the highest species variety and most favourable conditions,[4]: 109 although newer regions are nevertheless an important habitat.[4]: 111 Various rare and endangered species are found here, such as Pulsatilla pratensis, Dianthus arenarius, Epipactis atrorubens, Platanthera bifolia, Lycopodium annotinum, and Lycopodium clavatum.[4]: 110
Dry soil old boreal forest and herb-rich forest biotopes can be found in Garciems lagoon and house many rare species.[4]: 111 Forest variety is further supplemented by bog woodland and deciduous swamp woods that can be found in inter-dune depressions with wet mineral-rich soil, while alluvial forests grow near rivers.[4]: 111–112
Dunes and beaches
Three EU protected dune biotopes are found here – embryonic shifting dunes, foredunes and "gray" dunes.[4]: 91–92 The dunes found in the park are a high-valued recreation, tourism and sport resource year-round, especially due to being near Latvia's most-populated areas. They are also an effective erosion-regulating barrier against sea effects. Overall, dunes are susceptible to anthropogenic and natural "mechanical" damage, invasive species, and eutrophication.[4]: 94
Embryonic dunes that form from washed out sand and high winds are rarely found on Latvia's coastline and 18.1 hectares (45 acres) are located in the park.[4]: 92 The area of foredunes has been decreasing over the years likely due to anthropogenic effects and recreational beach improvement works that prevent new foredune formation even though the geological conditions are otherwise favourable,[4]: 92–93 namely along Vakarbuļļi, Daugravgrīva and Vecāķi beaches.[4]: 92
Foredunes are often found along the beach over 52.8 hectares (130 acres) area and are home to
"Gray" dunes are commonly found in the park and cover 279.7 hectares (691 acres). These
There are two beach monitoring stations in the park – one in
Among the EU and Latvia's protected biotopes are annual vegetation of drift lines (1210) and boreal Baltic sandy beaches with perennial vegetation (1640), both of which are very rare in Latvia and primarily located around The Gulf of Riga. The former is an important insect habitat and feeding grounds for waders. The rare biotope occupies 2.15 hectares (5.3 acres) near Lielupe estuary. The latter biotope is similarly very rare and takes up only 1.67 hectares (4.1 acres).[4]: 90 Although the biotopes are small areas by themselves, they add a significant recreational value and well as protect against the coastal wave and wind influence. Their continued protection mainly depends on minimizing human influence and allowing natural geological processes to take place.[4]: 91
Lakes
There are seven natural lakes in the park (excluding
Bogs
There are a few small bogs and one larger bog in the park - a 55.6 hectares (137 acres) large Serģu purvs.
Climate
The climate in the park is moderately warm and wet. There are lesser temperature fluctuations compared to the inland. The sea water accumulates warmth during summer and makes the autumn and winter warmer than inland. However, this also makes spring and summer cooler due to slower water warming. There are stronger winds in the park than inland, with coastal and sea breezes from interaction between water and land. The
History
The main terrain of the park formed during the 5–7 thousand years during and after the Littorina Sea period. The new Western area only formed 300–400 years due to construction of dams and piers around Daugava delta.[4]
Between 19th and 20th century, the area between Lielupe estuary and Pabaži used to have a 2,200 hectares (5,400 acres) area with sand and dune fields, either naked or with shallow scrub overgrowth.[7] Due to long-term effects of wind, this sand become shifting dune ridges that slowly "travelled" over 200 years, burying old forests, waterways and damaging infrastructure.[7][8][9] In the 1870s, about 200 hectares (490 acres) area was buried around Riga between Daugava and Lielupe estuaries. The lack of drainage caused the meadows to become swampy and required expensive canal construction for water drainage.[7] In the 1930s, Piejura area had about 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of unsecured flowing sand with some ridges like Bākas hill moving and burying forest 1.85 metres (6 ft 1 in) per year. To stop the shifting sands, forestation works were carried out first covering the sand with branches and planting scrub and bushes to stop the sand movement and later planting trees to secure the area long-term.[8] Towards the end of the 20th century, the sand movement had stopped.[9]
The park itself was officially founded as a nature park in 1962.
In 1999 the park was expanded to its current area by including areas to be conserved from
Tourism
The park is a popular tourism recreational location.[3] Although the park is regularly visited by nearby residents, larger visitation from Riga and near-Riga is irregular and seasonal. Summer season attracts most visitors, especially for beach visits. Weekend visitation is much higher than during work days. Recreational activity is also very different between park locations. For example, beach visitation is concentrated in locations with easier access and near-beach infrastructure. According to a survey of park visitors, most arrive by foot (37%), car (36%) or bike (14%). The primary purposes are for swimming, sunbathing, hiking and other recreation.[4]
Most anthropogenic effects on the park are from its visitors.[4] Over the years, the park has had problems with people littering and dumping garbage, including "green trash" and composts that propagate invasive species.[14] People also commonly swim in the Ummis lake, one of Latvia's cleanest lake where swimming if forbidden during summer, while information signs are commonly vandalized.[15][16] Motorized vehicles are often illegally parked in the park,[17] and the lack of car and pedestrian access, as well as designated parking space damages the park.[16]
Protection plan
The 2004 plan was replaced with the plan formed as part of the project "LIFE CoHaBit – Piekrastes biotopu aizsardzība dabas parkā "Piejūra"" (transl. Coastal biotope protection in nature park Piejura). The project was funded by EU's
One of the primary goals of the plan is reduction of anthropogenic impact.[18][16] The plan raises special attention to protection of plant species and reduction of lake eutrophication. It also calls attention to development of tourism infrastructure and availability of information, as well as reduction of dune damage due to visitors.[6][18] The plan also asks to further divide the park into functional zones: regulated regime, nature reserve, nature park and neutral zones.[6]
By mid-2021, a restoration and maintenance project for the coastal biotopes was completed over 230 hectares (570 acres) of biotope territory, bringing positive impact on at least 960 hectares (2,400 acres) of territory (about a fourth of the park). The major completed tasks included: foredune fortification against erosion, reduction of meadow reeds and increase in other plant variety and bird nesting, selective clearing of pines to further forest quality and other species growth, dune restoration increasing dune bird habitats, limiting of invasive species, and construction of infrastructure for reduction of anthropogenic effects by guiding visitor flow and providing information. Further goals were set for the next 12 years.[19]
References
- European Nature Information System.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Piejūra" (in Latvian). Administration of Latvian Environmental Protection Fund. 24 October 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Piejūras dabas parks" [Nature Park Piejura] (in Latvian). Rīgas Meži.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm "Dabas parka "Piejūra" dabas aizsardzības plāns" [Nature Protection Plan for Nature Park Piejura] (PDF) (in Latvian). Riga City Council City Development Department.
- ^ a b "Teritorija" [Territory] (in Latvian). Dabas aizsardzības pārvalde. 21 February 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f "Apstiprināts dabas parka "Piejūra" dabas aizsardzības plāns (2020.–2031.)" [Nature Protection Plan for Nature Park Piejura (2020–2031) Has Been Approved] (in Latvian). Riga City Council City Development Department.
- ^ a b c "Plūstošās piejūŗas smiltis" [Flowing coastal sands]. Nedēļa (in Latvian) (27). July 1925.
- ^ a b "Plūstošo smilšu nostiprināšana un apmežošana Rigas virsmežniecībā" [Consolidation and Afforestation of Flowing Sand in Riga Surface Forestry]. Meža Dzīve (in Latvian) (3). November 1925.
- ^ a b B. Lielmeža (July 1989). "Piejūras dabas parkā" [In Piejura Nature Park]. Darba Balss (in Latvian) (87). Rīgas rajons.
- ^ I. Riekstiņš (February 1969). "Būt vai nebūt piejūras dabas parkam?" [In Piejura Nature Park]. Literatūra un Māksla (in Latvian) (7).
- ^ Liepiņš, Aigars (March 1990). "Dīks atpūtnieks vai patiess dabas draugs?" [An idle vacationer or a true friend of nature?]. Cīņa (in Latvian) (67).
- ^ Dabas parka "Piejūra" individuālie aizsardzības un izmantošanas noteikumi [Individual Protection and Usage Regulation for Nature Park Piejura] (in Latvian). Riga. 14 March 2006.
- ^ a b "Par projektu" [About the Project] (in Latvian). Dabas aizsardzības pārvalde. 27 February 2017.
- ^ Zemgales reģionālā televīzija (23 June 2020). "Cīnās ar dabas parka "Piejūra" piesārņotājiem" [Fighting the Litterers of Nature Park Piejura] (in Latvian). Public Broadcasting of Latvia.
- ^ Madara Līcīte (12 August 2020). "Atpūtnieki ignorē aizliegumu peldēties Ummja ezerā" [Vacationers Ignore Ban on Swimming in Lake Ummis] (in Latvian). Public Broadcasting of Latvia.
- ^ a b c Ieva Štāle (7 August 2018). "Saglabāt dabas un rekreācijas intereses" [To Preserve Nature and Recreation Interests] (in Latvian). Diena.
- ^ Rīgas pašvaldības policija (3 June 2016). "Neaizmirsti! Auto novietošana dabas parka teritorijā var beigties ar 140 eiro sodu!" [Don't Forget! Leaving a Car in the Nature Park Territory Can Leave You With a 140 Euro Fine]. Skaties (in Latvian).
- ^ a b "Mērķi un uzdevumi" [Goals and objectives] (in Latvian). Dabas aizsardzības pārvalde. 21 February 2017.
- ^ "Dabas parkā "Piejūra" noslēdzies vērienīgs piekrastes biotopu aizsardzības projekts" [An ambitious coastal biotope protection project has been completed in the Piejura Nature Park] (Press release) (in Latvian). Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development. 29 April 2021.