2013

Cross-leaved heath blooms in LVM forests

This summer, environmental experts Uvis Suško and Rūta Sniedze-Kretalova discovered several distribution spots of cross-leaved heath (Erica tetralix) in forests managed by JSC Latvia’s State Forests (LVM).

In 2010, environmental expert Ilze Rēriha came across a small distribution of this unique species south of Tērande (Ventspils Region) - away from its main distribution area in Grīņi Nature Reserve and the vicinity of Saka. The new spots were discovered by environmental experts Uvis Suško un Rūta Sniedze-Kretalova whom LVM had asked to help map protected biotopes in the forests managed by the company.

Ilze Rēriha: “Erica tetralix is a very rare heath species with red bell-shaped flowers. In Europe, it is spread in a narrow strip along the Atlantic Ocean and coastal areas. Latvia is on the eastern border of its distribution. Erica tetralix is included in Latvia’s red book of specially protected species. The fact that the new spots are located in LVM territory, with a special management regime, will ensure their long-term preservation.”