Marshes

Compared to other European countries, marshes take up a significant proportion of Latvia. 4.9% of Latvia's territory consists of open marshes. 70% of this marshland is largely undisturbed by human activity. Within these territory there are more than 20 protected plant species.

There are at least 15 species of birds that nest in marshlands, including the crane, golden plover, black grouse, whimbrel, merlin and peregrine. During periods of bird migration the marshes are important resting place for cranes and geese. There are 10 insect species and a rare species of snails. Marshes are also highly valued by berry pickers for the wide range of berries that grow there, including cranberries, cloudberries, cowberries and bilberries.

Teici State Reserve. It covers an area of 190 sq.km and is the largest protected marsh in the Baltic. A raised bog covers the larger part of the territory but there are also 19 lakes, hollows, mineral soil islands, fens, swamps, and natural meadows. The most intensive peat creation process in Latvia can be observed here. It also has the largest concentration of pre-migratory cranes in Latvia. An ancient Russian village of Russian Oldbelievers (people who hold to the Russian Orthodox as well as old pagan beliefs) still exists on one of the marsh islands. The marsh can only be entered in the company of a guide.

 

Text: Valdis Pilats, The Gauja National Park
Photographers: A.Eglitis, J.Pigoznis, V.Pilats, J.Zalans

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© The Latvian Institute, 1999-2000

This fact sheet can be freely printed from homepage of the Latvian Institute, distributed and cited, on condition that the Latvian Institute is acknowledged as the source. The Latvian Institute is a non-profit organisation (a State Corporation with limited liability) established to promote knowledge about Latvia abroad. It produces publications, in several languages, on many aspects of Latvia.