PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The Salaca River is divided into three river water bodies with different pressures and hydromorphological characteristics. Although physico-chemical quality elements indicate good to high status, the overall ecological status is below good due to biological quality elements.

The Salaca River and its tributaries host populations of several fish species listed under the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC). The conservation status of most of these species strongly depends on the quantity, quality, and availability of spawning and rearing habitats located in fast-flowing river sections. The status of the salmon population and several other protected fish species in the Salaca River and its tributaries has deteriorated. Since 2016, the production of salmon juveniles has not reached 75% of the estimated potential, and fish fauna monitoring shows a decline in the abundance of other protected fish species.

To improve the status of habitats of protected species, several small-scale river restoration projects have been implemented in the Salaca River and its tributaries. In the Salaca River, most activities focused on reducing aquatic vegetation using various methods (e.g., cutting, ploughing, loosening the riverbed using high-pressure water pumps). In tributaries, most restoration actions targeted the removal of large wood blockages and beaver dams that reduced current velocity and sediment transport capacity. To date, no significant restoration activities have been carried out in the riparian zone.

Only limited data are available on the effectiveness of these measures. Information on resulting changes in fish fauna and water quality is scarce. This lack of robust evidence limits the planning and implementation of catchment-scale solutions to improve the quality, quantity, and availability of habitats for protected fish species, as well as to improve the water quality of the Salaca River and its tributaries.

OBJECTIVES

The LIFE IS SALACA project focuses on improving river quality in the Salaca River sub-catchment (Gauja River Basin). The Salaca River valley lies within the Natura 2000 site “Salaca River Valley”.

The main objective of the project is to achieve good ecological status or ecological potential of the Salaca River and its tributaries, as required by the Water Framework Directive (WFD), and to contribute to the objectives of the Habitats Directive (HD) and the EU Biodiversity Strategy through integrated management actions across the Salaca River sub-catchment.

The project also aims to demonstrate an improved approach to managing riparian forests to enhance nutrient (including nitrogen) retention and reduce eutrophication. This will be achieved through an optimal selection of tree species composition, which is expected to increase vegetation diversity within forest stands.

The project’s specific objectives are to:

1. Develop a new approach for ecological quality assessment that integrates the perspectives of the Habitats Directive and the Water Framework Directive for the Salaca River sub-catchment.
2. Restore habitat type 3260 (Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation) using new methods.
3. Evaluate ecosystem services in the Salaca River valley.
4. Prepare a new integrated Natura 2000 site management plan, including measures necessary to implement WFD actions, regulate tourism pressures, and safeguard ecosystem services.

EXPECTED RESULTS

The project’s expected results are:

1. Improved water quality along 76 km of the Salaca River sub-catchment through restoration of habitat type 3260.
2. Transformation of 65 hectares of riparian forests to increase vegetation diversity and reduce soil erosion risk.
3. Replacement of single-species grey alder stands with species-rich forests over 25 hectares (with approximately 220 m³/ha of biomass to be used in other activities).
4. Restoration of rapids using a new method over 20 hectares, improving habitat conditions for four key species: Atlantic salmon, European river lamprey, brook lamprey, and thick-shelled river mussel.
5. Development of a new integrated Natura 2000 site management plan covering 12–15 years, including management activities necessary to implement WFD measures.
6. Preparation of guidelines for a harmonised Habitats Directive and WFD monitoring network, based on the Salaca sub-catchment example.

ADMINISTRATIVE DATA

• Reference: LIFE22-ENV-LV-LIFE-IS-SALACA/101114155
• Acronym: LIFE IS SALACA
• Start date: 01/10/2023
• End date: 30/09/2028
• Total eligible budget: €5,754,798
• EU contribution: €3,452,879

Coordinator:

• Latvijas Valsts mežzinātnes institūts “Silava”

Participants:

• Biedrība “Makšķernieku klubs Salackrasti”
• SIA “Latvijas Vides, ģeoloģijas un meteoroloģijas centrs”
• Pārtikas drošības, dzīvnieku veselības un vides zinātniskais institūts “BIOR”
• Nature Conservation Agency