This article presents the results of a comparative evaluation of preventive treatment of udder with probiotic agents: ‘Dipal’ (manufacturer DeLaval - Sweden), ‘Zorka’ (manufacturer «NPP Farmaks» - Russia). We have received data on the effects of probiotic preparation on quality of milk and number of somatic cells in milk. Research has been conducted in two dairy farms of Almaty region of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Lactobacillus acidophilus 05ch - isolated from shubat (South Kazakhstan region, Turkestan). Lactococcus lactis 010k - isolated from three-day kumys (Zhambyl region, Merke). These probiotics are used as a means for sanitary treatment of the udder of cows. Thus, the procedure of determining the antagonistic activity revealed their high activity against both gram-negative and gram-positive microorganisms, notably Staphylococcus aureus (10-13 mm), Escherichia coli (12 mm), Proteus vulgaris (10-14 mm), Salmonella abortus ovis (11-13 mm). Significant changes in the milk indices can be found in the experimental group: 9.1% rise of lactose, and 7.2% reduction of protein. The level of protein increased by 4.1% , whereas the amount of lactose, on the contrary, went down 1.6%, which may be indicative of the increase in the content of serum protein when the udder is inflamed. The examination of the milk obtained from the cows of the control and experimental groups showed a nearly double reduction in the number of somatic cells from 488.00 down to 178.000 thousand, which was caused by the daily treatment of cows by probiotic cultures during 2 weeks.

The article presents the comparative, descriptive statistics analysis of the changes of the Baltic Sea coast in the territory of the Republic of Lithuania. This paper analyzes the Baltic Sea coast measurements taken during the period between 2008 and 2015. The formation of the strip of the Northern breakwater - Giruliai during this period was influenced by the Hurricane Felix on January 10 of 2015. Describing the Baltic Sea coast strip dynamics trends, the Baltic Sea coastline change during the period between 2008 and 2015 was selected and calculated on the basis of the measurements results. Analysis of the erosive and accumulation processes of the 4 km long strip from the Northern breakwater to Giruliai strip was provided. The carried out data of the Baltic Sea coast changes analysis show that seacoast limits are constantly changing. The replenishment of the Baltic seacoast spatial data set during the period between 2008 and 2013 with the revised spatial data of the period between 2014 and 2015 showed that during the months of January during the period between 2008 and 2015 the 4 km long strip of the Baltic Sea coast decreased by 3.7075 ha, in the 1st Melnrage area, the 0.7 km long strip of coastline has moved more than 30 m inland. It was found that in the southern half of the researched section erosion processes prevailed, while in the northern part – both erosion and accumulative ones.

The paper aims at analyzing agricultural production for energy generation purposes, including the production of agricultural biogas, as an opportunity for functional diversification of agriculture and for multifunctional rural development in Poland. There have been many changes observed in Polish agriculture. New directions of crop production and of the use of agricultural products have emerged. One of the changes is the increasing significance of the production of agricultural biogas and energy from biogas. There have been built both small-scale and large-scale biogas plants. Most of the agricultural biogas plants are located in northern, western and south-western Poland, i.e. in the areas where there are relatively large farms which can provide a supply of substrates necessary for the production of agricultural biogas. The formation of biogas plants and the use of agricultural production for generating energy are an eagerly anticipated trend contributing to the dissemination of renewable energy sources, the functional diversification of agriculture, the development of additional economic activities in rural areas, and the increase in the energy security of particular regions and the entire country.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the information literacy of people as essential competencies required for the generation of social capital and use of social capital in sharing and obtaining information, which in its turn, is considered to be an important resource in the community’s development. The paper analyses the terms: social capital, information literacy and their mutual influence, as well as describes the research where informational literacy of the population of Latvia, its levels and the determined groups of knowledge and skills, which need to be improved in order to contribute to the generation and use of the social capital, through various methods (population surveys, focus group discussions, information literacy knowledge assessment questionnaires and performing practical tasks) were assessed. The research is based on the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Competency Matrix and UNESCO MIL Assessment Framework. The main conclusions of research are the following: information literacy is an important competence for developing social capital; but based on the completed research there are skills of information literacy – processing of information, critical assessment of information resources, legally correct use of information sources, as well as effective use of information technologies – which should be improved. The research was conducted within the framework of the European Social Fund project ‘Development of Innovative Diagnostic Instruments for Regional Growth’ (No.2013/0057/1DP/1.1.1.2.0/13/APIA/VIAA/065).

In the research evaluation of the ecosystem services provided by riparian forests in Latvia has been studied. The aim of this research is to investigate the methods and indicators for assessing the value of ecosystem services of riparian forests and to establish the most appropriate methods of ecosystem service valuation in the case of Latvia. The study is based on analysis of scientific publications, special literature and reports of international organizations, studying results of previously performed qualitative and quantitative research methods in the field of ecosystem service evaluation. The results of this study revealed several methods that could be applied for evaluation of ecosystem services provided by riparian forests, taking into account that the set of available data may be limited and considering the costs and span of time that may be necessary to collect the missing data. The results also show that the majority of ecosystem service evaluation indicators can be applied if appropriate earlier studies have been performed and feasible data for similar territories or conditions are available. The knowledge of the methods and indicators for evaluation of ecosystem services is a crucial factor in the decision making process, when decisions on economic development or sustainable management of ecosystem services are made.

Grey alder stands Alnus incana (L.) Moench have a number of distinctive features. In fertile soils it successfully forms productive forest stands without any human intervention. Therefore, relatively few publications can be found on the thinning effects on stand reaction after thinning. It is possible that due to the highly intensive circulation of substances in the ecosystems of grey alder (high photosynthesis and canopy thinning, withering and breaking off of the lower branches, litter decomposition within a few years, thereby ensuring a continuous and stable plant mineral nutrition substance complementarity in the soil) response reaction of the remaining trees and management of grey alder forest stands could be different comparing to other tree species. The study analyses stock volume additional increment dynamics during 10-year period after the thinning in 24-year-old grey alder pure stands in Aegopodiosa site type. Thinning of grey alder forest stands have caused a moderate positive reference reaction – during 10 years, in addition to the total increase, 3.17 m**3 haE-1 have been added. During the valuation interval response reaction differs among the years. In the first four years it is relatively small as accumulation of the growing potential is taking place. From the fifth to seventh year after felling an intensive growing takes place, which results in repeatedly additional annual increment. Starting from the eighth year, the trees show tendency to return to a steady state as it was before the thinning.

Wind is an important natural disturbance factor in a forest ecosystem. It creates gaps in a forest canopy, providing microenvironmental conditions, suitable for forest regeneration and affects the species composition of ground vegetation. Most of the studies analysing consequences of wind-storm have addressed short-term changes or influence the stand structure, but the aim of our study is to analyse ground-vegetation long time after windstorm in hemiboral forests. Data on ground vegetation cover have been collected in areas affected by the storm of 1967, where due to salvage-logging 200-400 m wide clearcuts were created. Sample plots (1×1 m) were placed in different distance from the edge of former clearcuts and projective cover of ground vegetation assessed using Braun-Blanquet method in Myrtillosa mel. forest type on 5 sites in north-western part of Latvia. Results reveal that in all sites species belonging to boreal, boreal-temperate and temperate biome were present, but their proportions varied between sites. In total 82 species of vascular plants were found, most frequent among them Maianthemum bifolium (L.) F.W.Schmidt (species characteristic to Norway spruce forests), Vaccinium myrtillus L. and Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. (associated with Scots pine forests) as well as Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench and Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) P.Beauv. (both characteristic to wet soils). Results suggest, that even 47 years after the storm microenvironmental conditions in the sites are not stable. Ellenberg’s indicator values reveal, that most of the sites are in semi-shade, cool and moist conditions, placed on acidic, nitrogen-poor (in few sites – also nitrogen rich) soils.

This paper describes the use of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L) bark humus and fine fractions for animal litter pellet manufacture, and the efficacy of various additives in improving absorbency. In Latvia is no researches about litter pellet manufacture of pine bark, and possibilities of increasing water absorbency; in internationals research papers there is also no information about the possibilities of improving water absorbency of pine bark pellets with various additives. The additives tested were fresh and fallen leaves, tree needles, dried hogweed and sawdust. Pellets were manufactured with a ZLSP200B granulator at Adazi city, Latvia, in 2014. The results indicated that production of small diameter pine bark pellets could be problematic. Absorbency of the pellets was tested both by rinsing and soaking the pellets, and results were compared to woodchip particle litter pellets. It was found that the best absorbency was achieved with adding up to 30% sawdust, which increased pellet absorbency both by rinsing and soaking. The results indicate that it is possible to manufacture pellets using Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) bark humus and fine fraction with good absorbency which can be disposed of in sewerage systems.

The article presents the findings of research aiming to discover the links between absorption of European funds and the development of rural areas in Latvia and Poland. Based on statistical data and Latvian territorial development index at local level, the value of index for Polish local communities was calculated showing a slightly bigger difference in local development in Poland. Absorption of EU funds was rather concentrated in both countries and its highest level was connected with major infrastructural projects as construction of roads, motorways, etc. The use of EU funds under Cohesion Policy is not correlated with the level of development, neither in Latvia nor in Poland. The only significant negative correlation can be observed between the development and the use of funds under Common Agricultural Policy and Fisheries Policy in Latvia.

The objective of the paper research is to assess the role of the implementation of the local development strategies (LDS) elaborated by the local action groups (LAGs) in the regional development and addressing social problems in Latvia. The paper examines the role and place of LDS in territorial development planning in Latvia, carries out thematic analysis of the projects implemented under the LDS as well as tries to assess the LEADER approach impact on regional development and addressing of social issues on the local level. The authors use unpublished data on LEADER projects and apply quantitative and qualitative analysis methods. Most of LEADER projects have been implemented to facilitate the development of infrastructure related to recreation and quality leisure time as well as culture and sports. Rural inhabitants have noticed positive changes in their local territory introduced by the LEADER approach. Though, in order to enhance the role of LAGs and LDS in addressing regional development and social problems at local level, it is advisable that the potential interaction of the activities provided by all regional planning documents is observed when determining priorities at regional level (presently the place and role of the LDS has not been formally defined), while implementation of the LDS should pay more attention to long-term effects and even accomplishment of target priorities.