Assessment of the grassland biomass resource

This action aims at assessing available and potential amounts of biomass, its use potential and economic value in Sigulda and Ludza local municipalities.

Implementation: October 2013 – September 2015

Implemented by: Latvian Fund for Nature

Step 1: Stocktaking and biophysical mapping of available biomass resources

Available spatial information and other data necessary for mapping of biomass obtained for Sigulda and Ludza local municipalities.  This includes land cover maps, soil maps, information of current land uses as well as abandoned grasslands, spatial information on biologically valuable grasslands, distribution of grassland habitat types of Community importance (6120*, 6210, 6230*, 6270*, 6450, 6510) and other data sets identified during the desk study.

In order to obtain more detailed information on grassland biomass within the project pilot areas, a survey of grassland ecosystems from airplane during the vegetation season of 2014 was carried out. Airborne remote sensing data were collected including combination of high resolution RGB and hyperspectral imagery with LiDAR data. Obtained data were used for grassland productivity mapping as well as quantitative assessment of grassland biomass resource and bush encroachment in abandoned grasslands thus providing information for planning of management and restoration activities. Specific algorithm was elaborated to calculate potential amount fuel wood (wood chips) produced during restoration activities in overgrown grasslands.

Step 2: Economic valuation of grassland biomass resources

Economic valuation of biomass production was carried out, including estimation of direct benefit for local economy. For this purpose direct market pricing method was applied for assessing the direct use value of the ecosystem goods. Results of the activity integrated in the action of socio-economic impact assessment of the project activities into the assessment of the policy (project) scenario and to be compared with baseline scenario – socio-economic situation and economic value of the use of grassland biomass before the project has started.

Step 3: Report on biomass resource assessment in Sigulda and Ludza municipalities

Report (in Latvian) developed to summarize key findings of the desk study, mapping and quantitative assessment of biomass and results of economic valuation of biomass resources within Sigulda and Ludza local municipalities.