BROAD-LEAF FOREST HABITAT SUITABILITY FOR WOODPECKERS AND EVALUATION OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES, LATVIA

Abstract

It is well known that woodpeckers and their distribution is mostly affected by deadwood. However, in Latvia there have not been any studies about how other forest structural components like growing trees and vegetation can affect distribution of woodpeckers and their choice of habitats. In recent years estimation of ecosystem services has become popular in Latvia and it is used in nature conservation matters. The aim of the research was to analyse structures characterizing the habitats of broadleaf forests and identify for which woodpecker species broad-leaf forests are suitable habitat. An assessment of ecosystem services has also been applied to determine value of woodpeckers and their habitats. The amount of dead wood in the habitat is on average 71.2 m3 ha-1, of which majority or 87% is made by logs, while the smaller par tor 13% - by snags. It is possible to determine suitability of the habitat for various woodpecker species by analysing different structures that characterizes habitats � they are suitable for almost all species of woodpeckers. The study also shows that residents of Jelgava municipality would be willing to pay 11.00 EUR a year from a person to protect woodpecker species and to conserve their habitats.