The article focuses on vegetation diversity in the black alder Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. woodland key habitats in Zemgale, Latvia. Together nine sample plots were established on these habitat types, where next stand South – South West (S-SW) side at the age 1-10; 20-30 and 40-50 years. The vegetation survey has been made in vegetation period of 2010 and 2011. Braun – Blanque method has been used to estimate the projective coverage (%) of tree layer (E3), shrub layer (E2), herb layer (E1) and moss layer (E0) in order to assess the edge effect impact on vegetation diversity according to different ages classes in a next stands of sample plots. The analysis of edge effect verifies that there is a significant influence from the edge in 1st and 3rd zones of sample plots, which lies at S-SW side at the ages 1-10 and 20-30. In sample plots several indicator species of black alder woodland key habitats have been found: Vaccinium myrtillus L., Lycopus europaeus L., Iris pseudacorus L., Comarum palustre L., Plagiomnium ellipticum (Brid.)T.kop. Ordination confirmed that composition of species are relatively close, which demonstrate that species are able to live in similar type growing conditions. Protective species Circaea lutetiana L. and Plagiothecium undulatum (Hedw.) B., S. et G were found on the study sites. Also, adventive species Impatiens parviflora DC was found. Comparing the analysis by zones and sample plots and different age classes, the impact on edge effect has been distinguished in black alder woodland key habitats.

The capercaillie Tetrao urogallus L. is a typical bird species inhabiting structurally diverse coniferous forests. To increase the habitat quality of capercaillie leks, experimentally the habitat restoration in degraded ecosystems has been practiced. The main habitat restoration events are related to the reversion of hydrological regime and understorey layer management. The aim of this study was to find out how the management of lek sites – mowing of Ledum palustre L. and ground vegetation – promotes the regeneration of the vegetation typical of the capercaillie leks. Three sample plot blocks of 10x30 m have been established, which have been divided into 3 variants of 10x10 m. The first is a control plot, in the second plot an entire ground vegetation mowing was performed, while in the third plot – the ground vegetation mowing in a 3 m wide strip was carried out. The vegetation was determined using the BraunBlanquet recording form before the management – in August 2015, and after the management – in August 2017. The condition of the habitat of capercaillie is inadequate before management, since Ledum palustre prevails in the ground vegetation. Both types of ground vegetation management have had a significant impact on the projective cover of Ledum palustre. After mowing the entire area, it has decreased by half, but after mowing in a strip, it has decreased by 30%. The ground vegetation mowing in a strip enhances positively the regeneration of dwarf shrubs and herbaceous vegetation.

Dead wood is a significant component in forested ecosystems. In Fennoscandia and Baltic countries, set-aside forest areas, also called woodland key habitats (WKHs), have been created for nature conservation purposes in the production forest landscape. We performed a comparative study on dead wood substrate availability in different WKH types in Latvia. We measured standing trunks and downed logs to estimate biological quantities and qualities for coarse woody debris substrate. In this study, we found out that dead wood availability ranges, on average, from 38.2 to 149.5 m**3 haE−1. This study showed that moderate quantity and quality of dead wood has been found in different types, but the fine quality coarse woody debris was scarcely presented. In general, WKHs provide moderate and high level of qualities and quantities of structural features in the production forest landscape.

The distribution and abundance of Barbarea arcuata (Opiz ex J. et C. Presl) Rchb. were investigated throughout the territory of Latvia. The field survey was carried out to estimate the abundance patterns, and the herbarium materials were used to compile a distribution map. In total 411 localities were recorded in the period from 2015 to 2017. The species has been commonly found on roadsides, which accounts for 66% of the localities. Seventeen percent of the localities occurred in grasslands, 10% – in croplands, 4% – in fallows, 2% – on road embankment slopes, and 1% – on railway embankments. The highest density of B. arcuata were found in new fallows where it forms large populations. Whole field localities account for 5% of the total localities. Medium-sized stands are found in about 20% of localities and are mostly found in grasslands, roadsides, as well as croplands which include cereal fields and oilseed rape fields. Individual specimens are mostly found on roadside habitats and grasslands and account for 75% of the total number of localities. As dominant weed species it is found on fields of oilseed rape, cereal fields and fallows. Herbarium data and the Institute of Biology, University of Latvia lists of species show that B. arcuata distribution was frequent during the period from 1970 to 2014.

The role of birch natural (NWH) and potential natural (PNWH) woodland habitats for maintaining of biodiversity in Latvia is described and evaluated. The analysis of the proportion of area of birch stands and natural and potential natural woodland hibitats by regions, by age structure, and by growing conditions has been done. The distribution of birch natural and potential woodland hibitats by habitat groups, as well as most often recognized habitat specialist and indicator species is described.

The main pine natural woodland habitats (woodland key habitats -WKH) and the importance of their management and monitoring have been described in this paper. The ecological importance of lichen epiphytes in forest ecosystem has been analysed. The lichenoflora and its percental cover features have been described. The exposition of lichen species depending on the cardinal points has been analysed. The paper presents the characteristics of ecological indicators of lichen in the landscape features. The lichenoindicative evaluation and comparison of pine WKH have been carried out.

The emergence of human–induced edges in forested landscapes has caused major threat for the existence of habitat specialists. Woodland key habitat (WKH) concept has been created in the Baltic and Fennoscandian forests to preserve small forest parcels with a high biodiversity value in the production forests. In this study we investigated the occurrence of epiphytic lichen indicator species in black alder WKHs in Southern Latvia. In total 30 black alder WKHs with age of 84 to 129 years were chosen for analysis including stands adjacent to young, middle–aged and mature stands. Sample plots were placed at three distances from the forest edge. Our results indicate significant differences in number of species per sample plots adjacent to stands of different age. Lichen indicator species were considerably more common in habitats adjacent to mature forest stands and further (40–50 m) from the edge. From four lichen indicator species found in this study, sample plots adjacent to young stands hosted only two species. We argue that the indicator species response to human–induced edges is species specific and some of them are resistant to microclimatic changes near the edges.

Semi-natural grasslands (SNG) are essential in the context of farmland biodiversity. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), on the other hand, is an important tool for the continuation of the management of semi-natural grasslands. Explicit knowledge on the pattern of grassland area changes is important to foster a more effective use of CAP for grassland biodiversity conservation. Our aim was to determine the habitat-specific changes in the distribution of Latvian SNG across different management regimes. Based on state-owned geospatial data of SNG distribution in 2014 and 2022, we assessed changes in semi-natural grassland areas over nearly ten years by analysing grassland management and spatial distribution including areas inside and outside the Natura 2000 network. The spatial distribution of SNG remained similar in both periods. Eastern Latvia retained the highest share of SNG while the central part showed the most pronounced increase in new localities of SNG due to extensive habitat mapping carried out in recent years. Abandonment appeared as a more important threat to SNG in the Natura 2000 network and more profoundly to unproductive habitat types while transformation into arable land and grassland intensification was a considerable threat to SNG outside the network and to more productive habitat types. We suggest that agri-environment schemes should address the different needs of SNG in the Natura 2000 network and outside it.