North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve
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| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 The North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve | |
| Official name | Ziemeļvidzemes Biosfēras Rezervāts |
| Location | Vidzeme, Latvia |
| Criteria | Natural: (ix), (x) |
| Reference | 145808 |
| Inscription | 1997 (21st Session) |
| Area | 4,755.14 km2 (1,835.97 sq mi) [1] |
| Coordinates | 57°33′33″N 24°33′33″E / 57.55917°N 24.55917°E |
  Location of North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve in Latvia | |
The North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve (NVBR) (Latvian: Ziemeļvidzemes biosfēras rezervāts) is the only biosphere reserve in Latvia, located in the northern Vidzeme region along the border with Estonia.[2][3][4][5]
The reserve includes diverse natural and semi-natural habitats in primal and traditional landscapes. The area has 25 nature reserves,[6] one nature park[7] and two marine protected areas.[8][9] More than a half of NVBR terrestrial area is covered by forests and swamps.
NVBR generates nature tourism via the river Salaca, which starts its 95 km long journey from the scenic Lake Burtnieks and ends in the Baltic Sea.
History
In 1990, the North Vidzeme regional nature conservation complex was created by the Latvian government, in the borders of the present biosphere reserve. An administration was created in Salacgrīva which started active planning for the creation of the first biosphere reserve in the country. The new nature protected area encompassed approximately 6% of the total area of Latvia, including multiple towns, industrial and infrastructural objects.
The North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve was officially created on 11 December 1997, and since 1997, it was internationally recognized in the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme. It became part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
At the beginning, the central administration was located in the seaside town of Salacgrīva in a renovated historical building with a staff of 11 members. Staff members were posted in various parts of the reserve. Since 2009, administration of Biosphere Reserve has been integrated in Nature Conservation Agency of Latvia. In 2011, the administration of Nature Conservation Agency of Latvia (NCAL) was reorganized. In 2013, a co-ordinator for the Biosphere Reserve was appointed.
The Vidzeme Regional Administration (VRA) includes large open areas like the Gauja National Park, the North Vidzeme biosphere reserve and other protected landscape areas and strict reserves.
Consultancy council now consists of 24 members, who represent various local municipalities, governmental institutions and NGOs.
Main statistics
- Population: 49591 in 2017
- Coordinates: 57°20' to 58°10' N; 24°20' to 26°00' E
- Total area: 4 576 square kilometers (roughly 6% of Latvia), of which:
- Sanctuaries: 184,4 square kilometers
- Landscape protection zones: 1 600 square kilometers
- Neutral zones: 1 625,6 square kilometers
- Sea littoral until the depth of 10 m: 1 160 square kilometers
- Height above sea level: 0 – 127 m
- Main ecosystems: temperate coniferous and mixed forests. High bogs, coastal dunes, coastal meadows, pristine beaches, natural lakes and streams, sandstone cliffs.
Tourism
Tourist points of interest in the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve include:
- Salaca river – a fast stream with multiple sandstone cliffs and caves and the echo cliff Skaņaiskalns
- Vidzeme beach – beach with sandstone cliffs (Veczemju), waterfalls and boulders
- Burtnieks Lake – the fourth largest lake in Latvia
- Seda swamp and area – viewing towers for bird watching have been set up on the edge of the swamp[10]
- Nature trails
Notes and references
- ^ Ziemeļvidzemes Biosfēras Rezervāts Protected Planet
- ^ Ecological Sciences for Sustainable Development. North Vidzeme. UNESCO
- ^ North Vidzeme in Latvia Protected Planet
- ^ North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA)
- ^ Salacgrīvas novads, most of Limbažu novads, Alojas novads, Mazsalacas novads, part of Valkas novads, Rūjienas novads, Naukšēnu novads, part of Strenču novads, most of Burtnieku novads, part of Kocēnu novads
- ^ Nature reserves: Augstroze, Burgas pļavas, Burtnieku ezera pļavas, Dūņezers, Dzērves purvs, Dziļezers un Riebezers, Kalna purvs, Karateri, Kārķu purvs, Klagatu purvs, Limšānu purvs, Lielpurvs, Maizezers, Mērnieku dumbrāji, Niedrāju–Pilkas purvs, Oleru purvs, Pirtsmeža purvs, Purgaiļu purvs, Randu pļavas, Rūjas paliene, Sedas purvs, Ungurpils meži, Vidusburtnieks, Vidzemes akmeņainā jūrmala, Vitrupes ieleja, Ziemeļu purvi, Zilaiskalns
- ^ Nature park: Salacas upes ieleja
- ^ Marine protected areas: Ainaži-Salacgrīva, Vitrupe-Tūja
- ^ "Ziemeļvidzemes biosfēras rezervāts | Dabas aizsardzības pārvalde".
- ^ Celotajs, LLTA Lauku. "Sedas purvs". www.celotajs.lv. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
External links
- Planning and Management of a Biosphere Reserve - Reference Book for Practitioners and Managers Based upon experience of the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve, Latvia (includes detailed map)
- (in Latvian) Par Ziemeļvidzemes biosfēras rezervātu - exact maps
- (in Latvian) Ziemeļvidzemes biosfēras rezervāts
- North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve - official Webpage with pictures, information, current events
- unesco.org - Biosphere Reserve Information - Latvia - NORTH VIDZEME