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LVM is Renovating Kreiči Bog in an Area of 61 Hectares

By applying complex methods and a unique logging solution, JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) has concluded an ambitious phase of work for the restoration of a drained bog in the Natura2000 territory, in the “Kreiču purvs” nature reserve. The logging work important for the recovery of part of the bog was carried out in particularly difficult and unprecedented conditions – in a bog with a 4-metre-deep layer of peat.

The more than 2 200-hectare Kreiči Bog on the very border of Russia is one of Latvia's large bogs, which, like many others, was drained in the last century, peat has been mined in some places, and due to drying, it has grown over the years, thus reducing the value of the bog and creating unsuitable conditions also for the specially protected bird living here – the woodgrouse. The works are carried out on an area of 61 hectares, whereas the total area of the bog favourably affected by the works is about 100 hectares.

“A number of rutting woodgrouses are known around the edge of the Kreiči Bog, which increases the value of this specially protected area even more. Currently, due to the overgrowth, the living conditions here were not optimal for the woodgrouse. The most important food plants for the woodgrouse are blueberries, lingonberries; and in the spring – hare’s-tail cottongrass, which requires a certain amount of moisture and light. If these conditions are missing, then the food important to the woodgrouse is not in sufficient quantity. It should also be emphasized that too dense forest stands reduce the transparency of the woodgrouse's territory – to protect itself from natural enemies, the woodgrouse must be able to see the territory clearly,” says Uģis Bergmanis, ornithologist, Senior Environmental Expert at LVM.

Works planned for bog restoration

All the works in the bog are carried out within the framework of the environmental project co-financed by the European Union Cohesion Fund and their goal is to restore the bog and bring it closer to its natural state. By diversifying structures at the edge of the bog into a stand of trees and restoring an open area of the high bog, the moisture conditions for bog recovery are optimized and a suitable area is created for rutting of woodgrouses. To preserve water in the bog, seven peat dams will be built on the drainage ditch.

The complexity of the works carried out in the bog

The total area of logging works in the territory of the nature reserve was 60 hectares, half of which was carried out in particularly difficult conditions – in a bog with a four-metre-deep layer of peat.

“For the first time, we implemented such large-scale logging works in a bog. Although the low-powered equipment involved in the work weighed only 7.5 tonnes, it was still necessary to cover the bog with timber obtained in the area to ensure the load capacity. Favourable weather conditions were a big factor in carrying out the work – autumn was dry, without any heavy rains, and the thick snow cover in winter was like a pillow that prevented the machinery from sinking.

To ensure access to the work area – to cross the straightened river running along the bog, a temporary bridge was created – a bundle of pipes was laid in the river, which was covered with low-value timber in two lanes, thus ensuring the flow of water,” Dainis Babāns, Head of Logging in the Northern Latgale Region of LVM, talks about the technical solutions of the works.

Photo: an open area of the bog after logging works – biologically old, burnt pines have been preserved

Currently, the logging works are almost finished, and timber is gradually being exported. All works in the Kreiči Bog have been coordinated with the Nature Protection Board, are carried out in accordance with the opinion of a certified nature expert and under the physical supervision of LVM's Senior Environmental Expert Uģis Bergmanis.

Until the end of 2023, LVM improves and restores habitats of EU importance in a total of 14 specially protected natural areas and promotes suitable conditions for the sustainable existence of habitats of protected species. Various biotechnical measures in Kreiči Bog and other 13 specially protected natural areas are being carried out within the framework of the European Union Cohesion Fund co-financed project No. 5.4.3.0/20/I/001 “Implementation of management measures in specially protected nature territories and micro-reserves to improve the protection status of habitats and species”. The leading partner of the project is the Nature Protection Board.