Latvia State Forest Service Updates Storm Damage Estimate
Latvia’s State Forest Service (VMD) reported that it has updated its assessment of forest damage caused by the August 22–23 storm, estimating that nearly 500,000 m3 of trees were wind-felled or broken. The assessment was conducted in cooperation with the country’s largest forest owners and managers.
In most affected areas, individual trees or small groups of trees were uprooted or broken. Deciduous species, particularly birch and aspen, sustained most of the damage, while spruce and pine were affected to a lesser extent.
Latgale accounted for 45% of the total damaged wood volume, followed by Zemgale at 30% and Vidzeme at 20%. Kurzeme accounted for the remaining 5%.
VMD said the damaged volume was assessed visually in forest stands that could be surveyed promptly. The estimate may change as forest roads are cleared and damaged wood is removed. In areas subject to different management regimes, or where isolated damaged trees do not pose a significant sanitary risk, owners and managers may leave the wood in place to support biodiversity.
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