North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve comprises 53 km of the coastline of the Gulf of Riga and borders to the north the frontier with Estonia. It covers 474,447 hectares corresponding to the catchment basins of the Salace, Svetupe and Vitrupe Rivers. Lakes characterise the landscape (over sixty greater than 3 hectares) as well as gentle glacially formed hills and rolling plains.
Description
Map
Surface : 474.447 ha
- Core area(s): 474.447 ha
- Buffer zone(s): N/A
- Transition zone(s): N/A
Location: N/A
Administrative Authorities
Rolands Auziņš
Nature Conservation Agency of Latvia
Baznicas str. 7,
Sigulda, LV-2156,
LATVIA
Tel.: +372 29365307
Email: daba@daba.gov.lv
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Ecological Characteristics
North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve comprises 53 km of the coastline of the Gulf of Riga and borders to the north the frontier with Estonia.
It covers 474,447 hectares correspondingto the catchment basins of the Salace, Svetupe andVitrupe Rivers. Lakes characterise the landscape (over sixty greater than 3 hectares) as well as gentle glacially formed hills and rolling plains.
The coastal part consists of sandy beaches, coastal meadows and areas of bare rocks. The area is important from a conservation point of view since it harbours raised bogs, wild rivers with wild Baltic salmon, coastal meadows which are traditionally maintained by grazing and remnants of the ancient broad leaf forest.
Boreal coniferous and mixed forests; wetlands; raised bogs and open bog pools; fens and wet meadows; lakes and rivers; coastal dunes and marine littoral area; extensiveagricultural and urban areas.
Socio-Economic Characteristics
60 people live in the core area of the biosphere reserve(1997).
In the surrounding areas, agriculture is the economicmain activity, although traditional grazing practicesare declining. There are 25,000 visitors per year and tourismis increasing (1997). Monitoring focuses on topicssuch as water quality, air pollution, plant communities andinsects. There are also many training and environmentaleducation activities.
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Last updated: August 2019