Nīcgale forest
Nīcgale forest is Latvia protected landscape area in Augšdaugava Municipality, in Nīcgale Parish, east of Nīcgale. At the eastern point of the territory is Nicgale Great Stone.
| Nīcgale Forest Protected Landscape | |
|---|---|
| Nīcgales meži | |
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape) | |
 Nicgale Great Stone | |
  | |
| Location | Latvia, Latgalia |
| Coordinates | 56°09′19″N 26°25′50″E |
| Area | 9.15 km2 (3.53 sq mi) [1][2] |
| Established | 2004 |
The site contains EU Habitats Directive habitats - old or natural boreal forests, old mixed broadleaf forests, walking forests. This is the Natura 2000 area.[3][1]
Flora
A large number of protected plant species are found here, including ramsons (Allium ursinum), clustered bur-reed (Sparganium glomeratum), downy buttercup (Ranunculus lanuginosus),[4] Lyon's notchwort (Tritomaria quinquedentata). [5]
One of the species of flowering plants - hairy agrimony (Agrimonia pilosa) is protected under EU Nature directives.[2]
Fauna
Nīcgales forest is home to a significant number of butterfly species, including marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia), Scarce fritillary (Euphydryas maturna, (Lycaena dispar), scarce heath (Coenonympha hero), woodland brown (Lopinga achine), blue underwing ( Catocala fraxini), Pericallia (Pericallia matronula). Protected fauna species include white-backed woodpecker (Picoides leucotos), middle spotted woodpecker (Leiopicus medius), Ural owl ( Strix uralensis), Eurasian pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum). [5]
In total :
- 17 species of birds are protected under EU Nature directives.
- 3 species of invertebrates are protected under EU Nature directives.[2]
References
- Nīcgales Meži Protected Planet
- Nicgales mezi European Environment Agency
- (in Latvian) Nīcgales meži daba.gov.lv
- Ranunculus lanuginosus (Downy Buttercup)
- Nature Protection Board. Nicgale Forests