Latvia

Study sites

Randu Meadows is a nature reserve and coastal meadow stretching along the Vidzeme coastline from Ainaži to Kuiviži. It is the only coastal meadow in Latvia and serves as a living herbarium, hosting approximately 600 plant species—about one-third of Latvia's total flora. Among them, 37 species are classified as rare or endangered in Latvia and other European countries. The reserve covers an area of 200 hectares and plays a crucial role in regional biodiversity conservation, particularly as a habitat for migratory birds and rare plant species.

The Randu Meadows nature reserve is unique in Latvia, as it contains almost all coastal habitat types found in the country, including the largest coastal meadow and lagoon complex. It is also part of the European Union’s Natura 2000 network, emphasizing its ecological importance.

In 1996 Randu meadows was selected as one of the National LTER network sites.

Environmental gradient

Randu Meadows, located along the Gulf of Riga, exhibits a distinct environmental gradient influenced by soil moisture, salinity, and elevation. The landscape transitions from low-lying, waterlogged areas dominated by reeds and sedges to drier coastal meadows with diverse grass and herbaceous plant communities. Further inland, sandy dunes provide well-drained, nutrient-poor conditions that support specialized vegetation. These variations create microhabitats that support specialized species, making the meadows a hotspot for biodiversity.

This environmental gradient is essential for maintaining species diversity, as different plants and pollinators thrive under varying conditions. Historically, traditional land-use practices such as hay harvesting and grazing helped sustain the meadows by preventing shrub and reed encroachment. However, during the last decade sharp decline of these activities has led to habitat shifts, with intensive expansion of reeds, necessitating active conservation efforts to restore open meadows and maintain biodiversity.

Experimental setup

Nine coastal grasslands were selected for study, each located near one another but differing in humidity levels, a key factor influencing plant composition and pollinator activity. In 2024, all grasslands were monitored once, between July 1st and July 15th, using the traditional transect method. Additionally, plant-pollinator interactions in these grasslands were assessed using automated cameras to explore new monitoring techniques.
Starting in the following years, monitoring will take place twice annually to provide more comprehensive data on seasonal variations in plant-pollinator interactions.

Aims

This study aims to improve ecological monitoring methods by assessing the effectiveness of automated plant-pollinator interaction tracking.
The main objectives are to:
1. Develop and test protocols for automated monitoring of plant-pollinator interactions.
2. Compare the time efficiency, effectiveness, and cost of different methods used for monitoring plant-pollinator interactions.