AFTER-LIFE CONSERVATION PLAN NATURA 2000 SITE NORTHERN GAUJA. Latvian Fund for Nature Prepared by: Ilze Vilka, co-ordinator of the LIFE project

Transcription

1 AFTER-LIFE CONSERVATION PLAN NATURA 2000 SITE NORTHERN GAUJA Latvian Fund for Nature 2008 Prepared by: Ilze Vilka, co-ordinator of the LIFE project 1

2 Contents INTRODUCTION... 3 INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED... 5 POSSIBLE FUNDING SOURCES... 6 OVERVIEW ON MAIN PLANNED ACTIVITIES AFTER LIFE PROJECT... 8 DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION AND RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL NEEDS MAIN ACTIVITIES FOR PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF NATURE VALUES DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION AND RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS MONITORING

3 Introduction NATURA 2000 site Northern Gauja is comparatively new specially protected nature territory in Latvia - it was established in The area is located in the northeast part of Latvia and includes river Gauja with a length of about 140 km with its valley from the border of Gulbene and Alūksne districts to Valmiera city. It covers 21,749 ha. The area is characteristic of unregulated river Gauja, meandering and forming oxbow lakes in old riverbeds. The mosaic of forests, meadows and oxbows of the river valley includes important territories of protected habitats housing many rare species of lichens, fungi, plants and animals. Primary forests in the meanders of Gauja, woodland meadows which are rare in Latvia and which is a habitat for the Hermit beetle Osmoderma eremita and the largest complex of inland dunes in Latvia should be mentioned as especially characteristic for the Northern Gauja. Important population of the Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus (50-80 males) and the Corncrake Crex crex ( pairs) should be mentioned as well. Habitat types of EU importance 3150, 3260, 3270, 5130, 6120*, 6210, 6210*, 6230*, 6270*, 6430, 6450, 6510, 6530*, 7120, 7140, 7160, 8210, 8220, 9010*, 9020*, 9080*, 9160, 9180*, 91D0*, 91E0* and 91F0 are represented in the area. Nature values of the landscape area were endangered by too intensive forest cutting and overgrowing of meadows and pastures caused by lack of management. LIFE-Nature project had been implemented in order to limit these threats. Main activities within the LIFE project were the following: Inventory and digital mapping of locations of habitats and species sites of Community concern; Planning of activities of protection and management of nature values (management plans for individual farms, management plan and draft individual regulations of protection and use for protected landscape area Northern Gauja ); Establishment of micro-reserves in forest habitats and species of conservation concern; Restoration of grassland habitats; Maintenance of grassland habitats in 6 pilot areas (91 cattle purchased for this aim, shelters and fences built in each pilot area); promotion of attraction of agri-environment payments to other biologically valuable grasslands in the landscape area; Forest management in the lek sites of the Capercaillie and in Western taiga habitats 99010*) mainly cutting of spruce undergrowth in order to ensure conditions appropriate for lek of the Capercaillie and light-demanding protected species; Cutting of shrubs and young trees around old broad-leaved trees which once grew in open space; Monitoring of management activities; Informative and educational activities. Activities in the field of nature protection in NATURA 2000 area Northern Gauja initiated during the LIFE project shall be continued after it. The management plan of the area, elaborated during the project, will serve as guidelines for future activities of protection and management of the NATURA 2000 area. The management plan provides for required measures, including administrative actions, 3

4 habitat management, monitoring, raising of public awareness. The plan was approved by the Ministry of Environment on December 13, A part of activities prescribed in the management plan have been started already during the project. Anyway, a lot has to be done yet, for example, about 1200 ha of grasslands are still to be restored and they will need maintenance. Main activities concerning nature conservation measures, prescribed in the management plan, are included in current document as well. 4

5 Institutions and organisations concerned Main state institutions and organisations, responsible for implementation of actions, will be the following: Nature Protection Board, North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve, society Rural partnership Northern Gauja, local municipalities, JSC Latvia s State Forests. North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve The Strategy of the Ministry of Environment for the Years provides for establishment of regional structures of the Nature Protection Board (institution, supervised by the Ministry of Environment and implementing state policy in nature protection; its main functions include elaboration and implementation of management plans of specially protected nature areas as well as organising management of specially protected nature areas, which do not have their own administration). Establishment of regional structures of the Nature Protection Board is partly based on existing administrations of national parks and reserves, for which additional funding have to be granted from the state budget to supervise other closely located specially protected territories. According to the above-mentioned strategy supervision of management of the protected landscape area Northern Gauja is under the responsibility of the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve (NVBR). NVBR has started fulfilling its functions starting from December 2007 by establishment of a new staff unit and assigning an employee, responsible for the Northern Gauja area. The office of the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve in Northern Gauja is located in Strenči, Valkas Street 16. Rural partnership Northern Gauja Implementation of the management plan for the NATURA 2000 site is one of the tasks for society Rural partnership Northern Gauja established in 2006 and uniting 9 municipalities located in the protected landscape area and 3 neighbouring municipalities, as well as 7 non-governmental organisations and several other legal and natural persons interested in development of the region. Aim of the society to promote sustainable development of the territory and improve living conditions of the people. 5

6 Possible funding sources Funding for nature conservation measures in Latvia from the state budget could be received form the Latvian Environmental Protection Fund and Nature Protection Board, by submitting project proposals. Funding is granted for one year, therefore for long-term activities project proposals must be submitted every year and there is uncertainty about next years. The only long-term financial instrument, which could be used for sustainable habitat management, is funding from European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) within the Rural Development Programme. Rural development programme for Latvia ( ) The Rural Development Programme (RDP) for Latvia is the most important financial instrument in Latvia supporting management of habitats. The fate of meadows and pastures in Northern Gauja, as well as in other places in Latvia, shall depend on the fact whether the available funding from the RDP is sufficient as well as on the possibilities offered by other types of economical activities (for example, rural tourism, organic farming) encouraging restoration and functioning of viable farms. The most important nature protection activities planned to be supported in the framework of the RDP are listed below. As regards agricultural land Measure 213: NATURA 2000 payments and payments linked to Directive 2000/60/ECC. An annual compensation payment to offset restrictions of economic activity in utilized agricultural areas located in NATURA 2000 territories. Payments are related to permanent meadows and pastures. Measure 214: Agri-environment payments, sub-measure Maintaining biodiversity in grasslands. The objective: to encourage conservation of biodiversity grasslands and maintenance of wild plants, wild animals, bird populations and landscapes. Extensive grazing and late mowing is supported. As regards tourism sector Measure 313: Encouragement of tourism activities Encouragement of tourism activities includes the following support: - For improvement and establishing of nature paths; - For construction and reconstruction of waste water treatment facilities and sedimentation wells, as well as for replacement of slate roofing with that of environment-friendly materials in rural guest houses. As regards forests Measure 224: NATURA 2000 payments (to forest owners) Compensations for restrictions of economic activity (forestry activities forbidden; final felling and thinning forbidden; final felling forbidden; clear cutting 6

7 forbidden) in private and municipal forests and forest land situated in Natura 2000 territories. Measure 225: Forest environment payments The objective: to encourage preservation of biodiversity and high value forest ecosystems. In the framework of this activity it is planned to support 4 sub-measures very important for nature protection: - Management of forest key habitats and lek sites of the Capercaillie; - Diversification of structure of forest stands; - Forest pastures; - Protection of structures generated by fire. Implementation of the Measure 225 is planned as from

8 Overview on main planned activities after LIFE project Title 1. Raising of capacity of administrative body of the area 2. Establishment and functioning of Northern Gauja Council 3. Approval of Individual regulations on the protection and use of the NATURA 2000 site Priority/tim e plan from October 2008 Required funding and possible funding sources Potential actor ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL NEEDS State budget; for optimal model 199,200 euro/ year needed Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection Board, North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve - Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection Board - Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia Comments Increase of funding for staff in North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve, responsible for the NATURA 2000 site Northern Gauja Action will ensure participation of main stakeholders in planning of activities important for the region and information exchange Regulations will ensure appropriate protection regime for conservation of specially protected species and habitats. 8

9 4. Provision of compensations to private landowners for restricted forest use continuously, according to the proposals State budget, EAGGF* National compensation scheme Costs of administration and evaluation of forest stands: 213 euro/ha; amount of compensations: 1,130 euro/ha on an average; 316,000 euro required for the areas with microreserves, established within the LIFE project Nature Protection Board, Rural Support service Compensations for land-owners of forest lands with restricted forest use (microreserves, relevant functional zones of the NATURA 2000 area) 5. Integration of zoning of the area in territory plans of local municipalities 6. Marking of the border of NATURA 2000 site with small information signs (520 ex.) during elaboration or update of territory plans Important,; 2008 EAGGF (Rural Development programme): euro/ha per year Resources of relevant municipalities Latvian Environmental Protection Fund, Nature Protection Board 7,470 euro (one sign 14 euro) Municipalities staff, assigned companies for elaboration of territory planning documents Nature Protection Board, North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve, municipalities The border of NATURA 2000 area and functional zones with relevant protection regimes (according to the Individual regulations on the protection and use of the area) should be integrated in territorial planning documents According to the National legislation, borders of specially protected nature areas are marked by special sign, accepted by the Cabinet of Ministers 9

10 MAIN ACTIVITIES FOR PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF NATURE VALUES Related to forests 1. Control of non-intervention regime in 3430 ha of biologically valuable forests continuously State Forest Service, State Environmental Service 71,140 euro (~20 euro /ha) per year State Forest Service, State Environmental Service, owners and users of forest land Concerns micro-reserves and functional zones with strict protection regime 2. Management of Western taiga habitats in an area of 116 ha 3. Management of a Capercaillie lek site in an area of 6.8 ha 4. Management of biologically valuable broad-leaved trees in an area of 363 ha 5. Restoration of Woodland grasslands in an area of 62 ha 6. Pasturing of forests in an area of 820 ha (areas, where pasturing is required or recommended, in total) EAGGF, state budget, private resources, JSC Latvia s State Forests ; 15,300-23,800 euro ( euro/ha) EAGGF, JSC Latvia s State Forests ; ,770 euro ( euro/ha) EAGGF, state budget, private resources, JSC Latvia s State Forests ; 174,000 LVL (480 euro/ha as an average) EAGGF, state budget, private resources; 29,740 euro (480 euro/ha as an average) EAGGF, state budget, private resources; 224 euro/ha, from EAGGF till 200 euro/ha JSC Latvia s State Forests, owners and users of forest land JSC Latvia s State Forests JSC Latvia s State Forests, owners and users of forest land JSC Latvia s State Forests, owners and users of forest land Owners and users of forest land Areas are indicated in the management plan. Funding from EAGGF will be available from Area is indicated in the management plan. Funding from EAGGF will be available from Areas are indicated in the management plan. Funding from EAGGF will be available from Areas are indicated in the management plan Areas are indicated in the management plan. Funding from EAGGF will be available from

11 7. Diversification of forest stands in order to decrease fragmentation of forest habitats in an area of 186 ha 8. Protection of forest structures, generated by fire 9. Adjustment of the official digital maps of field units 10. Restoration of grassland habitats in an area of 1260 ha 11. Maintenance of grasslands by mowing or grazing in an area of 2378 ha continuously continuously State budget, JSC Latvia s State Forests EAGGF; till 200 euro/ha Related to grasslands Land owners, Rural Support Service 1,140 euro EAGGF, State budget, JSC Latvia s State Forests ; 257,000 euro ( euro/ha) EAGGF, state budget; 292,500 euro (123 euro/ha) per year JSC Latvia s State Forests, owners and users of forest land Owners and users of forest land Land owners, Rural Support Service Owners and users of forest land, JSC Latvia s State Forests Owners and users of forest land Areas are indicated in the management plan. In the cases of forest fires. Funding from EAGGF will be available from Inclusion of existing grassland areas into field units areas, for which it is possible to apply for agri-environmental funding. Could be proposed by relevant landowners Areas are indicated in the management plan. Areas are indicated in the management plan. DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION AND RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS 1. Preparation and publishing of a booklet Latvian Environmental Protection Fund, Nature Protection Board; 2,800 euro North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve, Rural partnership Northern Gauja After approval of Individual regulations on the protection and use of the area 2. Maintaining and update of the webpage continuously Latvian Environmental Protection Fund; 1,140 euro (modification), 500 euro per year (maintenance) Rural partnership Northern Gauja 11

12 3. Organisation of seminars for education of land owners on non-clearcut methods in forest harvest NATURA 2000 monitoring according to the methodology 2. Monitoring of management effects in managed forest habitats 3. Monitoring of epiphytic lichens on oak-trees in managed areas 4. Monitoring of managed Capercaillie lek sites 5. Monitoring of vegetation in the pilot areas of grassland management of the project 6. Preparation and application of monitoring methods of impact of tourism flow from 2009 every year every year from 2009 Latvian Environmental Protection Fund; 7,000 euro LEGMA** MONITORING JSC Latvia s State Forests Latvian Environmental Protection Fund Latvian Environmental Protection Fund, JSC Latvia s State Forests ESF***, Rural Support service, Latvian Environmental Protection Fund Latvian Environmental Protection Fund North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve, Nature Protection Board Experts; depending of the tender results Experts of the JSC Latvia s State Forests Experts of the Latvian University Experts of the Latvian Fund for Nature, JSC Latvia s State Forests Experts of the Institute of Biology North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve, Rural partnership Northern Gauja Clear-cutting will be forbidden in some functional zones of the NATURA 2000 site, therefore it is important to get knowledge about other economically benefiting forest harvest methods According to methodology, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Environment (N o 29/ ) To get information on the status of managed habitats needed for planning and adjusting of management in future To get information on the status of managed habitats needed for planning and adjusting of management in future To get information on the status of Capercaillie leks needed for planning and adjusting of management in future To get information on the status of managed habitats needed for planning and adjusting of management in future Will become actual due to foreseen increasing pressure from tourism activities * EAGGF - European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund ** LEGMA - Latvian Environment, Geology, and Meteorology Agency *** ESF - European Social Fund 12

13 ADMINISTRATIVE AND TECHNICAL NEEDS 1. Raising of capacity of administrative body of the area North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve has started fulfilling its functions as a management body of the NATURA 2000 area Northern Gauja starting from December 2007 by establishment of a new staff unit and assigning an employee, responsible for the Northern Gauja area. In future it is planned to enlarge number of employees involved in supervision of protection and management of the Northern Gauja landscape area. It would be very important to ensure sustainable development and management of the area, coordinating co-operation of 12 local municipalities and other stakeholders of the area. For optimal model (8 employees: manager, office administrator, GIS expert, PR expert, expert in cultural history, 2 managers of management measures and one worker) 199,200 euro per year would be needed. 2. Establishment and functioning of Northern Gauja Council To ensure participation of all main stakeholders in negotiations on nature protection activities in the area and to promote co-operation between state and municipal institutions, non-governmental, foreign and international organisations and other persons in achievement of the goals of establishment of the NATURA 2000 area Northern Gauja, a consultative body the Northern Gauja Council is being established. Representatives of 21 institutions and organisations are included in the Council the same as were represented in the steering group of the LIFE project (12 municipalities, Vidzeme Development Agency, 2 Head forestries of the State Forest Service, 2 administrations of the forest districts of the JSC Latvia s State Forests, 2 Regional Environmental boards of the State Environmental service, Latvian Ornithological Society and Latvian Fund for Nature). The draft Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers Statute of the Consultative Council of the Protected Landscape Area Northern Gauja has been announced at the State Secretaries meeting on Approval of Individual regulations on the protection and use of the NATURA 2000 site Individual regulations on the protection and use of the NATURA 2000 site, elaborated within the LIFE project as a part of the management plan, will serve as a basis to ensure favourable conservation status for the habitats and species of EU importance in Northern Gauja. Provisional time of approval of the regulations by the Cabinet of Ministers is October Provision of compensations to private landowners for restricted forest use Micro-reserves, established within the framework of the project for forest habitats and species sites of conservation concern, will serve as a basis for provision of compensations according to the law On Landowners Rights to Receive

14 Compensation for the Restrictions Established in Specially Protected Nature Territories and Micro-reserves ( , amendments of , , , ). During the LIFE project only 2 landowners applied for state-granted compensations in the Nature Protection Board. Reluctance to apply was caused mainly by relatively low wood prices: compensation amounts are calculated according to the average annual statistical prices of the wood in the previous year; due to the storm of January 2005 they were still unusually low in Besides many landowners are waiting for annual compensations planned within the Rural Development Programme ( ) for the forest owners in NATURA 2000 sites, which could be more favourable for the owners of forest stands with low economical value (e.g. willow alder forests at the banks of Gauja). 5. Integration of zoning of the area in territory plans of local municipalities The border of NATURA 2000 area and functional zones with relevant protection regimes (according to the Individual regulations on the protection and use of the area) should be integrated in territorial planning documents. Most of the local municipalities (9 out of 12) already have territorial plans and will have to make amendments to include information relevant to the Individual regulations on the protection and use of the NATURA 2000 area in the plans. 6. Marking of the border of NATURA 2000 site with small information signs (520 ex.) According to the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia (N o 415/ ) On the General Protection and Use of Specially Protected Nature Territories, borders of specially protected nature areas are marked by special sign, accepted by the Cabinet of Ministers. Recommended locations of the signs (525 ex.) are indicated in the management plan for the area. MAIN ACTIVITIES FOR PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF NATURE VALUES 1. Control of non-intervention regime in 3430 ha of biologically valuable forests Protection regime of forest habitats, where non-intervention regime is required, is ensured by establishment of micro-reserves and planned zones of strict protection regime within the Individual regulations on the protection and use of the area. State Forest Service and State Environmental Service are responsible institutions for control of its observation. 14

15 Management of forest habitats and species sites (2. Management of Western taiga habitats in an area of 116 ha; 3. Management of a Capercaillie lek site in an area of 6.8 ha; 4. Management of biologically valuable broad-leaved trees in an area of 363 ha) Management of forest habitats in state-owned forest will be continued by the JSC Latvia s State Forests. Management of forest habitats in private forests will be carried out using funding of the Rural Development Programme for Latvia ( ). These activities correspond to the Measure 225 of the Rural Development Programme: Forest environment payments. The funding for the measure will be available from Restoration of Woodland grasslands in an area of 62 ha It is planned to restore 62 ha of Woodland grasslands, which are overgrown with trees and currently considered as forest land. Relevant transformation of land is needed in this case. 6. Pasturing of forests in an area of 820 ha (areas, where grazing is needed or recommended, in total)) Pasturing of forests is one of the planned sub-measures of the Measure 225 of the Rural Development programme: Forest environment payments. Landowners of the forest areas, where grazing would be benefiting for specially protected habitats and species, are indicated in the management plan for the area. Relevant landowners will be encouraged to apply for funding. 7. Diversification of forest stands in order to decrease fragmentation of forest habitats in an area of 186 ha Action relates to forest compartments (e.g. monocultures) between forest habitats of conservation concern, where it is planned to promote diversification of stand structure thus raising their biological value in order to consolidate valuable forest habitats in future. Action relates to the state forests, indicated in the management plan of the area. Demonstration objects of stand diversification were prepared within the framework of the LIFE project. 8. Protection of forest structures, generated by fire Protection of forest structures, generated by fire is one of the planned submeasures of the Measure 225 of the Rural Development programme: Forest environment payments. After forest fires landowners will be encouraged to maintain burned wood on the site and apply for the funding which will compensate the losses. Management of grassland habitats and species sites (9. Adjustment of the digital maps of field units ; 10. Restoration of grassland habitats in an area of 15

16 1260 ha; 11. Maintenance of grassland by mowing or grazing in an area of 2378 ha) Sustainability of grassland management in the areas, restored and maintained within the project, is ensured by agreements with sub-contracting farms, which are obliged to maintain these areas for a period of 10 years, if appropriate funding is available. Delivering of the cattle for grazing management contributed to viability of farms as well. Continuation of grassland maintenance is ensured also by attraction of agrienvironmental funding within the Rural Development Programme for Latvia ( ) to the area. Restoration of grasslands, funded by the project, gave a possibility for farmers to apply for funding from the Rural Development Programme. Activities in grasslands in other areas of the NATURA 2000 site will be continued using agri-environmental funding of the Rural Development Programme as well. Maintenance of grassland habitats corresponds to the Measure 214: Agrienvironment payments, sub-measure Maintaining biodiversity in grasslands. DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION AND RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS 1. Preparation and publishing of a booklet A booklet, containing information about the NATURA 2000 site, its functional zoning (according to the Individual regulation on the protection and use of the area) and tourism infrastructure will be produced. 2. Maintaining and update of the webpage Maintenance and updating of the project webpage will be under the responsibility of the Rural partnership Northern Gauja. 3. Organisation of seminars for education of landowners on non-clear-cut methods in forest harvest Clear-cutting will be forbidden in some functional zones of the NATURA 2000 site, where other forest harvest methods will be allowed, therefore it is important to obtain knowledge about other economically benefiting forest harvest methods. Seminars with participation of landowners with experience of such methods are planned. MONITORING 1. NATURA 2000 monitoring NATURA 2000 monitoring programme ( provides for monitoring of the following habitats in the NATURA 2000 site Northern Gauja : 3150, 5130, 6210, 6230*, 6270*, 6430, 6510, 6530*, 7140, 8210, 9010*, 9020*, 9160, 91D0*, 91E0*, 91F0. According to the methodology, accepted by the ministry of environment, habitat cover will be assessed, using remote sensing and aerophotos, while habitat representativity and conservation status will be assessed by field surveys. 16

17 Monitoring of the Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus and monitoring of the Corncrake Crex crex after the LIFE project will be continued within the framework of the NATURA 2000 monitoring. Besides above mentioned bird species, it is planned to monitor populations of Alcedo atthis, Caprimulgus europaeus, Dendrocopos leucotos, Gallinago media, Lanius collurio, Lullula arborea, Pernis apivorus, Strix uralensis and Tetrao tetrix as well. As regards the species of Annex II of the habitats Directive, NATURA 2000 monitoring programme provides for monitoring of Ophiogomphus cecilia, Leucorrhinia pectoralis, Unio crassus, Lampetra fluviatilis, Aspius aspius, Triturus cristatus, Myotis dasycneme and Lutra lutra. 2. Monitoring of management effects in managed forest habitats Forest habitats, managed within the LIFE project, will be surveyed in order to plan timing for the next application of management. Funding from the Latvian Environmental Protection fund and resources of JSC Latvia s State Forests could be used. 3. Monitoring of epiphytic lichens on oak-trees in managed areas Survey of epiphytic lichens on the oak tress in management sites will be done continuously every second year (in 2009, 2012 in the farms Krastiņi and Marsi, in 2010, 2013, in state-owned forests near Strenči). A master s thesis will be prepared in the Faculty of Biology of the University of Latvia, using collected data. Funding from the Latvian Environmental Protection fund could be used. 4. Monitoring of managed Capercaillie lek sites Experts of the Latvian Fund for Nature will continue survey of the managed lek sites every year, using funding from the Latvian Environmental Protection Fund or other. 5. Monitoring of vegetation in the pilot areas of grassland management of the project Monitoring of vegetation in pilot areas will be continued by the experts of Laboratory of Flora and Geobotany of the Institute of Biology. The funding from the project Support for scientific work of doctoral students and young scientists in the University of Latvia of the European Social Fund (ESF) will be used. 6. Preparation and application of monitoring methods of impact of tourism Monitoring of visitors impact is needed in most frequently visited sites (e.g. in camping sites) to evaluate impact on environment, species and habitats in order to limit the tourism flow, if necessary. 17

18 Firstly a methodology must be elaborated, including both impact on environment (e.g. damage of soil by vehicles, removal of logs from natural forest habitats) and specially protected species and habitats (e.g. sites of rare plants, breeding success of waterfawl). Counts of water-tourists in the river Gauja are also recommended. 18