The website's “dabasdati.lv” has recorded the most sightings in its 15-year history this year. Nearly 1,200 users have submitted more than 281 thousand observations of birds, fungi, moss, plants, and other groups of species seen in nature. This is 50 thousand more than last year and 44 new species in Latvia have also been recorded this year, said Ilze Priedniece, representative of the Latvian Fund for Nature (LDF).
“As always birds come first, this year more than 80 percent are birds which is a similar proportion to previous years. Butterflies are second, with about 5% of observation, followed by mushroom reports. [..] As every year, new species have also been discovered in Latvia.
“36 new species of slime fungi have been most discovered. Two new species of moths and plants have also been discovered, and one new species of lichen, mushrooms, moss and dragonflies each,” Priedniece said.
Especially many reports have been received in the Rīga region.
Priedniece said that the most frequent reporters on the site “dabasdati.lv” are not biologists or ornithologists. The big increase in reports in recent years is due to the availability of technology, as people can report from a location faster and more easily. Similarly, non-characteristic species of Latvia appear more in nature, attracting people's attention.
Each can record their own natural observations on the “dabasdati.lv” site or via a mobile app, and these data also play an important role in research, conservation, and the containment of invasive species.
