Latvian State Forest Research Institute 'Silava', in cooperation with the University of Tartu, the Natural Resources Institute Finland, and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, launched the project Adapting drained forests to future climates: Ensuring sustainable forest production, water quality and biodiversity (AdaptDam) on 1 March.
The Project will analyse how seasonal water availability affects tree growth, water quality and biodiversity in drained hemiboreal forests, as well as assess the effectiveness of adaptive drainage solutions — overflow dams and adjustable weirs — in reducing the impacts of drought.
Field studies will be conducted in Latvia and Estonia, involving scientists from Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Sweden.
At the end of April and beginning of May, six pilot research sites were established in Latvia and Estonia. During the first year of the study, changes in groundwater levels, water quality indicators in drainage ditches, and tree growth will be monitored, along with regular amphibian surveys.