What are natural meadows?

It is a grassland ecosystem which, in terms of biodiversity, is rich in plant and insect species and provides a habitat for birds and other animals. The plant diversity in natural grasslands is on a par with that found in tropical forests – more than 50 plant species can be found in a single square metre! This impressive wealth of species is a legacy of the ancient grasslands that once, together with the vast broadleaf forests, covered Europe.

Latvia’s natural grasslands – meadows and pastures – have developed over the centuries, and their maintenance was ensured by traditional farming practices – grazing, haymaking and hay transport. This allowed unique and diverse ecosystems to develop, providing a habitat for many species of plants, animals and amphibians, as well as countless soil microorganisms. Today, the existence of natural grasslands is under threat, as farming practices in rural areas have changed. With technological advances and increasing demand for food, a large proportion of natural grassland has been converted to arable land in order to increase crop yields. The situation was further exacerbated by increasing levels of urbanisation, as rural areas were abandoned and meadow areas became overgrown.

Why is it so important to restore, maintain and expand natural grasslands?

As an ecosystem, a natural meadow plays a vital role in ensuring our well-being and regulating natural processes. It cannot exist without human involvement, as its species composition develops over a long period through the interaction of nature, humans and livestock. However, very few natural meadows and pastures remain in Latvia today. They cover just 0.9% of Latvia’s territory (by way of comparison, 100 years ago such meadows covered 30% of our country’s territory).

Read more about the importance of natural meadows in our lives and in maintaining the balance of nature here:

GrassLIFE – GrassLIFE