At the end of May, the identification of Latvia's natural values will be launched

Although Latvia is considered one of the greenest countries in the world, our country's natural wealth is limited. In order to manage these resources effectively as well as to plan the economic activity of territories, it is planned to launch a project of Latvian natural values at the end of May.
The “establishment of preconditions for better preservation of biodiversity and the protection of ecosystems in Latvia” or simpler – the objective of “natural census” is to obtain information regarding the natural values of our country, their volume and quality. The project is co-financed by the European Union Cohesion Fund.
Within the meaning of the project, natural values are natural landscapes with grassland, forests, marshes, sea beasts and dunes, rivers, lakes, rock coverings and species diversity in them. The task of the natural census project is to find out how many types of natural values exist in Latvia.
Survey of natural values or biotope mapping 
Within the framework of the project, the survey of protected habitats of EU importance will be carried out, both in public and private lands. Habitat is a homogenous area which is occupied by certain species of animal or plant species which have applied to certain living conditions.
The survey will be carried out by experts on behalf of the Nature Protection Administration (DAP). The survey will continue for three years. Experts will only examine areas where the presence of specific natural values is potentially possible.
The surveyed areas are broken down by square and each year is expected to be surveyed. This year, the survey is planned to be started in part of Vidzeme, Latgale and Kurzeme, including protected nature territories - Gauja National Park, Kemeri National Park, Luban wetlands, the area of protected landscapes in the Upper Daugava, the Dvietes Palatinate and the rocky Jurmala of Vidzeme.
The card has an indicative meaning. The display time of the displayed squares may change.

The Nature Protection Board has identified areas where experts do not need to assess the existence of natural values, such as:

• intensively managed agricultural land;
• in populated areas, except for certain areas designated as compulsory surveyors, such as a dune zone in the city;
• in areas where research works have already been carried out over the past 3 years and the authorisations and authorisations for the performance of various activities (quarries, peat areas etc.) have been issued.

How will land owners become aware of the upcoming nature of natural values?
Information letters will be sent to both local governments and land owners (legal possessors) each year before the start of the habitat mapping to their declared addresses in order to inform regarding the approximate visit of experts and the identification marks of the expert. The letters will be sent to the owners (legal possessors) whose property is subject to an expert visit.
How do i recognize an expert?
All experts shall be accompanied by the expert certificates issued by the nature protection authority, which must be presented to the owner of the land at their request. The certificate will also include the contact telephone of the Nature Protection Administration, where additional information can be obtained if necessary.
Model of expert certificate:

Can the owner of the land waive the identification of natural values?
The owner of the land cannot give up the survey on his property. This is determined by the laws of the Republic of Latvia - Section 9 of the Law on the Protection of Species and Habitats. Land owners and permanent users shall be obliged not to restrict the exploration, accounting and control of specially protected species and habitats.
How will the landowner find out that a significant value of nature is found in his possession?
If a habitat of EU significance is found during the survey of the territory, the land owner (legal possessor) will be informed in writing. The owner of the land will also be able to obtain information regarding the natural values they possess in the natural data management system oak (ozols.daba.gov.lv).
If a biologically valuable grassland is found, the information will be transferred to the rural support service and will also be available in the rural support service field information system.
If a specially protected habitat is found in the ownership of the land owner, will any restrictions be imposed on economic activity?
Concerns about the impact of mapping on economic activity are often not justified. Finding a specially protected habitat in a specific area does not imply automatic restrictions.
The purpose of natural census is to obtain information not to increase or reduce the number of specially protected natural areas.
Although the term “particularly protected” for many associates with a prohibition or restriction on economic activity, however, in practice, such habitat is protected only if it is a micro-barrier, or is located in a specially protected nature area. Micro-reserves are areas specifically designated for the protection of specially protected species or biotopes. In particular, the regulations of the Cabinet shall determine the prohibitions or restrictions of economic activity in specially protected natural areas. It should be noted that the most probability of finding natural values is in areas which already have specific conservation status or other restrictions on intensive economic activity (e.g. protection zones, green areas in municipal spatial plans, terrain etc.).
Decisions on the management of their property are called for by the Nature Protection Board not to be based on rumours, but in case of doubt, contact with the management of nature protection: skaitamdabu@daba.gov.lv; +371 26107005.
How will the determination of natural values take place?
The survey of habitats will be carried out on the basis of a common methodology (approved by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development and a harmonised “Methodology for the dissemination and quality of biotopes of EU importance”). The survey of habitats will be carried out by experts who will visit the area, fill in a special survey questionnaire and highlight the exact boundary of the biotopa identified in the map. Each expert should be accompanied by a global positioning system (GPS) during the survey, which also fixes an expert's travel route so that a quality check can be carried out in case of doubt.
What is the benefit of the identification of natural values?
Following the identification of natural values, information will be obtained regarding the natural values of Latvia (habitats OF EU significance), their state and quantity in the country.
In many cases, land owners will not have to spend private resources on expertise to apply for aid/compensation payments, obtain construction permits or technical regulations.
The activities implemented in the project will help reduce administrative burden and the consumption of time resources in the preparation and service of different authorisations, as the data entered in the natural data management system will be compatible with other national information systems, such as: www.geolatvia.lv. Through the information contained in the databases, it will be possible to better plan the business by taking account of the prevalence of specially protected species and habitats.
The data collected within the framework of the project will help to balance the development of nature conservation and the economy more effectively, as well as to identify the uniqueness of the specific territory, as well as support for spatial planning and the resulting economic benefits.
Development of plans for the protection of specially protected natural areas and species 
The identification of natural values or the mapping of habitats is only one of the activities of the “natural census” project. “Natural census” also includes the development of 20 existing specially protected natural areas plans and the development of 5 species protection (management) plans. 
Development of specially protected areas of natural areas
The conservation plan of a specially protected nature area is a document summarising information regarding the relevant area and describing measures for the management and utilisation of the site.
Within the framework of the project, the conservation plans of specially protected natural areas shall be drawn up in such order as it is determined by a list of specially protected natural areas plans. In developing special conservation plans for protected areas, every citizen is invited to make proposals for the use and management of the site.
As a result of the development of plans, in determining different protection and management requirements, the economic activity may be facilitated for some owners and entrepreneurs, or it may be possible to receive compensation for restrictions on forestry activity and the management of biologically valuable grassland.
The conservation plan of a specially protected nature area provides an opportunity to reconcile the interests of nature conservation and the development of the territory.
Special conservation areas in Latvia are natural reserves, national parks, natural parks, natural monuments, natural reserves, protected marine areas and landscape landscape.
Development of conservation plans for species 
In the framework of the “natural census” project, the development of a species protection plan for the pond nightmare, the broad-arched bats, the species group “seal” and the species group “owls” has been launched. The development of conservation plans of species, as well as the development of the conservation plan of specially protected natural areas, shall be carried out in accordance with the specified list. Public consultations are organised in the process of drawing up plans for the protection of species.
The concern of nature should not be seen as an impediment and a burden on economic development, but an opportunity to plan long-term and balanced national development by providing natural capital as a source of long-term income for the country and the population.
More information about the “natural census” project can be obtained by sending e-mail to skaitamdabu@daba.gov.lv, homepage www.daba.gov.lv and www.skaitamdabu.gov.lv or call +37126107005 (working days 8:30-17:00).
The project “creation of preconditions for better preservation of biodiversity and the protection of ecosystems in Latvia” or “natural census” is implemented with the support of the European Union Cohesion Fund. The duration of the project shall be until November 2020, in the field of biotope distribution and quality determination, no longer than 31 December 2019.
The information was prepared by:
Elina Prikule
Project “Natural census”
Project manager assistant
Phone: 27794799
elina.prikule@daba.gov.lv