The project aims to promote the protection and preservation of biodiversity affected by climate change and human activities by preserving wetlands using nature-based solutions in the urban wetlands of the cross-border region of Daugavpils (LV) and Zarasai (LT).
A team of Daugavpils University scientists and experts has completed field research of the first phase of the UrbUmbrella project, No. LL-00232, in the area of Daugavpils wetlands and has conducted bioclimatic modelling of the distribution of the Project’s target protected and invasive species in the Project areas in Latvia and Lithuania.
The research used innovative methods and modern research technologies in accordance with the Latvian amphibian and reptile survey methodology: amphibian night time call survey and bioindication for population assessment, survey of great crested newt larvae, eDNA research and bioclimatic modelling of rare and invasive species, as well as their environmental assessment.
Herpetofauna of the research area
The Ruģeļi wetland landscape of the city of Daugavpils is distinguished by its high diversity of amphibian and reptile species – 16 species of amphibian and reptile found in Latvia have been identified in the Project area, including:
- the specially protected great crested newt (Triturus cristatus), garlic toad (Pelobates fuscus) and sand lizard (Lacerta agilis),
- European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) – a very rare species in Latvia with a known historical occurrence,
- Eastern slow worm (Anguis colchica) – a new species for Latvia, identified in Latvia in 2021.
The results of bioclimatic modelling have revealed:
- threats to herpetofauna – invasive species – the Chinese sleeper (Perccottus glenii) and the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta) threaten the herpetofauna species of Daugavpils and Latvia,
- the risk of the spread of invasive species – as a result of climate change, invasive species will spread further north in Latvia.
In order to reduce the degradation of wetland habitats and improve the condition of herpetofauna populations in the Project area, habitat restoration and nature preservation measures have been developed as a result of expert research, including the containment and isolation of invasive species, the restoration of potential herpetofauna breeding sites, and the release of 10 pond turtles into the wild.
Project significance
The collected data and modelling results will serve:
- for planning Latvia and Lithuania cross-border biodiversity protection,
- for improving sustainable management of wetland ecosystems,
- for raising public awareness about the role of wetlands in the preservation of herpetofauna.
During the second phase of the Project, it is planned to implement specific restoration measures in cooperation with Latvian and Lithuanian municipalities and research institutions.