Ancient trees over 377 years old felled in Rucava forest despite known protected habitat
A forest stand near Rucava containing pine trees at least 377 years old was felled even though the site held a registered protected habitat and rare species records. Delfi has asked responsible institutions to explain.
The Latvian Fund for Nature last week released information about a logged forest stand near Rucava that contained trees at least 377 years old. The report drew wide attention, since forests in Latvia are regarded both as a major natural asset and as a resource underpinning a significant part of the country's exports and forestry sector.
Nature experts learned of the logging while surveying a known black stork nesting site in the area. It turned out that the tree holding the nest was one of many very old trees in the stand. Ornithologist Māris Strazds removed a cross-section disc from one felled pine's trunk, and a ring count showed the tree had started growing around 1649, making it at least 377 years old. Several other felled pines were found to be of similar age, around 370 years old.
Who managed the forest
The stand was managed by the Forest Research Station, a public agency operating under the supervision of the Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava" and the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies.
Even before logging began, the site was listed in the "Ozols" nature data system as holding an EU-significant habitat type, "old or natural boreal forests," along with records of specially protected species found there.
Delfi has contacted the responsible institutions to find out how logging could have been permitted in such an area, who knew about the habitats and protected species records before work began, and why that information was not enough to halt the felling. The State Forest Service stated that a permit had been issued for the logging and that the natural values present in the area were known.
