Eco-adaptive management of shallow lakes for climate resilience and biodiversity protection (ADAPTLake), No. LL-00358

Project No. LL-00358
Project title: „Eco-adaptive management of shallow lakes for climate resilience and biodiversity protection“ (ADAPTLake)
Project duration: from 01-08-2026 to 31-07-2028
Project coordinator:  Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR” (Latvia)
Project manager in MRU: prof. dr. Paulo Alexandre da Silva Pereira, paulo@mruni.eu
Other partners: Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (Latvia), University of Latvia (Latvia), Ludza Municipality (Latvia), Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania), Mykolas Romeris University (Lithuania)

Summary: Shallow lakes are widespread in Latvia and Lithuania, but many face excessive aquatic vegetation and algal blooms caused by present and historical nutrient loads and climate change. These pressures threaten biodiversity, water quality, ecosystem services and recreation. Although management methods exist, municipalities lack the skills, equipment and evidence to adapt them for individual lakes. The project aims to improve the ecological condition, biodiversity and climate resilience of shallow lakes by testing eco-adaptive and ecosystem-based management solutions in Lake Mazais Ludzas in Latvia and Lake Ilgis in Lithuania. It will help municipalities reduce eutrophication and manage lakes more effectively. The partners will pilot aquatic mosaic vegetation management, biomass and sediment collection and reuse, sediment stabilisation, floating treatment wetlands, and a water treatment prototype. The project will compare monitoring data and assess ecosystem services to jointly develop an eco-adaptive management plan. Municipalities and lake managers will receive guidance and training to select suitable measures, while educational materials and events will improve public understanding of lake restoration. The project will combine several methods, tailoring them to each lake and refining their use through monitoring. This will give municipalities across Latvia and Lithuania a basis for choosing effective measures, avoiding isolated short-term actions and managing shallow lakes sustainably.

The project is funded by the Interreg VI-A Latvia–Lithuania Programme 2021–2027

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