To be or not to be native: From the discourse on the official status of Salix alba to the recommendation to strengthen the protection of marginal populations in Latvia,with notes to related taxa

In Europe, Salix euxina is considered to be an adventive species, while S. alba is regarded as native. When assessing the protection of species in wild habitats, it is important to know the status of each species so that not to protect unreasonably alien species. Analysing the sources of literature, it was noticed that the views of Latvian authors differed — both on the status of the indigenous S. alba, as well as the adventive S. euxina. Research has shown that the ‘official status’ assigned to both basic species on the national level differs and contradicts the scientifically recognized status. This is an interesting case when certain state institutions responsible for nature protection have officially recognized a native species as an alien one and an alien species as a native one through laws and regulations. Considering that there are marginal populations of S. alba of the natural distribution range in Latvia, the most valuable of which occur in the basin of the River Gauja, the current possible protection of S. alba on the national level was analysed. Analysing the legislation, it has been established that rare habitats with S. alba woods (Salicetum albae) on alluvial soils of river flats are also included among the specially protected habitats. Analysing the individual protection regulations of the two largest specially protected areas, i. e. the Protected Landscape Area of the Northern Gauja and the Gauja National Park, it has been concluded that the current protection regime in the country does not ensure full protection of marginal populations of S. alba in natural habitats. This is because the individual protection regulations do not include the specific protected habitats of Salicetum albae and allow the felling of young willows, which contradicts the provisions of the legal act on the structural elements of the habitat Salicetum albae. In order to ensure full protection of marginal populations of S. alba and special habitats formed by the species in Latvia, it is necessary to update and define more accurately the laws and regulation on its protection.