Vegetation and ecological significance of Scots pine forests near Ozolsala
2002
Bambe, B. (Latvian State Forestry Research Inst. "Silava", Salaspils (Latvia))
Scots pine forests are a habitat for many species of plants, fungi and animals, among which some have been recognized as rare and have been adapted to the specific growing conditions, such as dryness, excessive moisture and poor nutrition. One of the most urgent ecological problems in Latvia at the beginning of the 21st century is connected with to the envisaged pulp mill in Ozolsala (56deg33min-36min N, 25deg47min-52min O). A stock company "Baltic Pulp" has requested 1446,4 ha of the state forests. In case the project is realized, the greatest part of the Ozolsala forest site will by destroyed and transformed into an industrial ecosystem, whereas the other part will serve as a shelter belt for the pulp mill, where the quality of air, water and soil will be essentially and irretrievably affected. It is very important to evaluate Ozolsala's forests at their present stage and identify their quality regarding environment, forest biology and forestry. The greatest part of the area demanded as the construction site is covered with high-quality pine forests, where mostly oligotrophic, oligomesotrophic forest vegetation prevails, the total area of which in Latvia is constantly decreasing. The forest area in Ozolsala is evaluated as especially valuable both from the point of view of forestry and forest biology. Cultivation of forests in this area has started already in the 19th century and is successfully going on at present. The Scots pine forests of Ozolsala are distinguished by their natural ground vegetation and self-regeneration process of pines. Transformation of this valuable natural forest ecosystem into industrial one is inadmissible.
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