Successfully finished the 2^nd Bryology Summer school: “From bryophyte identification to practical use 2023”. The Bryology summer school took place in Daugavpils University (DU) Study and Research Center “Ilgas” from July 3^rd till July 12^th and was financially supported by State Education Development Agency, Republic of Latvia.

Bachelor, Master and PhD progamme students and faculty from nine countries (Latvia, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Vietnam, Mexico, France, Sweden and Poland) obtained new knowledge in bryology in perspective of the Latvian culture and history through field expeditions, lectures, tasks, presentations and species identifications at the laboratory. 

The Bryology Summer school this year started with the presentation by Maksims Balalaikins about the importance of the Study and Research Center “Ilgas” in DU research work and student education. Later Anna Mežaka, Ligita Liepiņa and Steffen Caspari introduced students with bryophyte identification key characters. Steffen Caspari introduced participants with Red List Center of Germany.

Guest lecturers enriched the Summer school: Uvis Suško, who shared the history of bryophyte studies in Eastern Latvia; Irēna Skrinde (Nature Conservation Agency) was presenting projects about nature conservation in Eastern Latvia; Baiba Bambe introduction of biodiversity in Teiči bog. Ligita Liepiņa gave a lecture about bryophyte practical use.

Summer school participants get introduced not only with biodiversity in Latgale, but also cultural and historical heritage visiting Aglona bread museum, Daugavpils clay center and ecofarm “Kurmīši”. DU student dance group “Laima” introduced Bryology Summer school participants to Latvian dances “danči”.

In parallel with field expeditions and work at the laboratory, students were presenting their own research. Students were also presenting their group exercise results at the end of the Bryology Summer school.  

New specially protected bryophyte species records were found during the Bryology Summer school. For example, Steffen Caspari introduced participants with several Riccia species on soil in Daugavpils and Preiļi. These species probably increased in occurrence due to the decrease of the water level in the banks of watercourses.

Co-ordinator of Bryology Summer school: Anna Mežaka (anna.mezaka@du.lv)

Bryology Summer school photo and video available in Instagram and Tik tok accounts

More about Bryology Summer school:

https://du.lv/en/events/bryology-summer-school-from-bryophyte-identification-to-practical-use-2023/