Nīcgale forest

Nīcgale Forest Protected Landscape
Nīcgales meži
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Nicgale Great Stone
Location	Latvia, Latgalia
Coordinates	56°09′19″N 26°25′50″E
Area	9.15 km2 (3.53 sq mi)
Established	2004

Nīcgale forest is Latvia protected landscape area in Augšdaugava Municipality, in Nīcgale Parish, east of Nīcgale. At the eastern point of the territory is Nicgale Great Stone.

The site contains EU Habitats Directive habitats - old or natural boreal forests, old mixed broadleaf forests, walking forests. This is the Natura 2000 area.

Flora

A large number of protected plant species are found here, including ramsons (Allium ursinum), clustered bur-reed (Sparganium glomeratum), downy buttercup (Ranunculus lanuginosus), Lyon's notchwort (Tritomaria quinquedentata).

One of the species of flowering plants - hairy agrimony (Agrimonia pilosa) is protected under EU Nature directives.

Fauna

Nīcgales forest is home to a significant number of butterfly species, including marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia), Scarce fritillary (Euphydryas maturna, (Lycaena dispar), scarce heath (Coenonympha hero), woodland brown (Lopinga achine), blue underwing ( Catocala fraxini), Pericallia (Pericallia matronula). Protected fauna species include white-backed woodpecker (Picoides leucotos), middle spotted woodpecker (Leiopicus medius), Ural owl ( Strix uralensis), Eurasian pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum).

In total :

• 17 species of birds are protected under EU Nature directives.
• 3 species of invertebrates are protected under EU Nature directives.