European Rewilding Network
ERN1304
Rewilding in Ķemeri N.P.
River restoration, natural grazing and predation
Large grazers at Ķemeri National Park.
Meadows cover 6% of the national park's territory and are of particular importance as a habitat for many plant, invertebrate and bird species.
Two Tauros and Konik pasture initiation areas have been established with the possibility to create a connected large Rewilding area of approx. 250 sq. Km.
The national park is home not only to common forest animals (deer, deer, elk, foxes), but also less frequently - wolves, lynxes and otters.
Almost all mammal species (except bears) found in Latvia live in the forests of the National Park.
Ķemeri National Park is best known for its unspoilt moorland, but also has large forest massifs lying largely untouched. The valleys of the rivers Lielupe and Slampe are part of the park. In collaboration with the Large Herbivore Foundation and ARK Nature, natural grazing started to ensure the openness of the valley.
Project:
Rewilding in Ķemeri N.P.
Region:
Riga, Ķemeri NP
Type of protection:
Natura 2000, national park
Habitat types:
natural rivers and lakes, associated floodplain grasslands, boreal forests, raised and low bogs
Keystone species:
Wolves, Lynxes and species dependent on natural grasslands and forests
Fauna (mega) species present:
Moose, Red Deer, Roe deer, Tauros, Konik, Wild Boar, Wolf, Lynx, Fox, Raccoon Dog, Badger, Marten, White-Tailed Eagle
Type of project:
Creating space for wilder nature, Increasing interest in the wild through communications, Supporting wildlife comeback
Aim and vision:
Most of the National Park is designated as an undisturbed Natural Restoration Area - wetlands, grasslands, forests and bogs. This will be done by local and reintroduced herbivores in natural pastures with a permanent presence of predators.
Large continuous self-regulating nature area with a natural river and stream valleys, forests and bogs with processes as flooding, ice, sponginess, natural grazing and predation being fully present.
Uniqueness of the project:
Two Tauros and Konik pasture initiation areas have been established with the possibility to create a connected large Rewilding area of approx. 250 sq. Km, which does not include settlements, agricultural production and intensive forestry.
Other activities:
Recreational activities, Research
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on:
Natural pastures in a large-scale (250 sq. Km) natural area with a strict protection regime (including no hunting), which includes natural river and lake systems, self-developing forest ecosystems, natural grasslands and bogs with the presence of large carnivores and regulated tourism.
Results so far:
Tauros and horses graze in the national park in two areas, a total of 600 ha. Cognitive tourism is being developed.
Inspirational value:
Ķemeri NP is the first territory in Latvia where the meandering of rivers is combined with the establishment of wild pastures. The horses of Tauros (of Heck origin) and Konik have helped to create natural grasslands and forest pastures. The areas have acquired a higher ecological value of plant and animal diversity and increased the functionality of its ecosystems.
Experience you would like to share:
Rewilding, restoration of the natural hydrological regime, local involvement, nature and agriculture / forestry, nature education, eco-products (honey, mushrooms, berries).
Experience you would like to gain:
Strengthen relationships with people and nature, tolerance and coexistence.
Country
Latvia
Start year
2004
Size (ha)
600
Area type
Forest-grassland mosaic, Freshwater lakes, Wetlands
Natural process
Flooding, Natural grazing, Predation
Flagship species
Feral cattle, Feral horses, Wolf
Large grazers at Ķemeri National Park.
Meadows cover 6% of the national park's territory and are of particular importance as a habitat for many plant, invertebrate and bird species.
Two Tauros and Konik pasture initiation areas have been established with the possibility to create a connected large Rewilding area of approx. 250 sq. Km.
The national park is home not only to common forest animals (deer, deer, elk, foxes), but also less frequently - wolves, lynxes and otters.
Almost all mammal species (except bears) found in Latvia live in the forests of the National Park.
Ķemeri National Park is best known for its unspoilt moorland, but also has large forest massifs lying largely untouched. The valleys of the rivers Lielupe and Slampe are part of the park. In collaboration with the Large Herbivore Foundation and ARK Nature, natural grazing started to ensure the openness of the valley.
Country
Latvia
Start year
2004
Size (ha)
600
Area type
Forest-grassland mosaic, Freshwater lakes, Wetlands
Natural process
Flooding, Natural grazing, Predation
Flagship species
Feral cattle, Feral horses, Wolf
Specification
Project:
Rewilding in Ķemeri N.P.
Region:
Riga, Ķemeri NP
Type of protection:
Natura 2000, national park
Habitat types:
natural rivers and lakes, associated floodplain grasslands, boreal forests, raised and low bogs
Keystone species:
Wolves, Lynxes and species dependent on natural grasslands and forests
Fauna (mega) species present:
Moose, Red Deer, Roe deer, Tauros, Konik, Wild Boar, Wolf, Lynx, Fox, Raccoon Dog, Badger, Marten, White-Tailed Eagle
Description
Type of project:
Creating space for wilder nature, Increasing interest in the wild through communications, Supporting wildlife comeback
Aim and vision:
Most of the National Park is designated as an undisturbed Natural Restoration Area - wetlands, grasslands, forests and bogs. This will be done by local and reintroduced herbivores in natural pastures with a permanent presence of predators.
Large continuous self-regulating nature area with a natural river and stream valleys, forests and bogs with processes as flooding, ice, sponginess, natural grazing and predation being fully present.
Uniqueness of the project:
Two Tauros and Konik pasture initiation areas have been established with the possibility to create a connected large Rewilding area of approx. 250 sq. Km, which does not include settlements, agricultural production and intensive forestry.
Other activities:
Recreational activities, Research
Achievements
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on:
Natural pastures in a large-scale (250 sq. Km) natural area with a strict protection regime (including no hunting), which includes natural river and lake systems, self-developing forest ecosystems, natural grasslands and bogs with the presence of large carnivores and regulated tourism.
Results so far:
Tauros and horses graze in the national park in two areas, a total of 600 ha. Cognitive tourism is being developed.
Exchange
Inspirational value:
Ķemeri NP is the first territory in Latvia where the meandering of rivers is combined with the establishment of wild pastures. The horses of Tauros (of Heck origin) and Konik have helped to create natural grasslands and forest pastures. The areas have acquired a higher ecological value of plant and animal diversity and increased the functionality of its ecosystems.
Experience you would like to share:
Rewilding, restoration of the natural hydrological regime, local involvement, nature and agriculture / forestry, nature education, eco-products (honey, mushrooms, berries).
Experience you would like to gain:
Strengthen relationships with people and nature, tolerance and coexistence.