The present article reviews part of a research paper on regional differences in evaluating economic growth and the various aspects that influence it. In this publication, the relationship between changes in corruption level and economic growth is analyzed, paying close regard to all countries of the world and taking Europe separately as a region with relatively consistent economic and social development levels. The author analyzes the average values and changes in gross domestic product (GDP) per capita based on purchasing-power-parity valuation (in US dollars) for 1998 – 2005 and the corruption perception index (CPI) of 1998 – 2007. When looking at data from all countries of the world and European countries, no interrelation can be observed between changes in CPI and GDP per capita. These values fluctuate independently of each other. The obtained results give rise to doubt whether CPI is a suitable indicator for determining the corruption level. The author concludes that assertions of negative (or positive) influence that corruption is said to have on GDP increase should be taken very critically.

The aim of the present research was to evaluate the affect of genetic and environmental factors on the variability of the goat milk yield, fat and protein content in goat milk in Latvia. Data of 6067 lactation records from 2400 goats of six different breeds were analysed in the period of 2001 to 2010. The highest milk yield (662.7±14.58 kg) was obtained in 2002, the highest fat content (40.7±0.05 g kgE-1) – in 2004, but highest protein content (32.7±0.19 g kgE-1) – in 2008 (p is less than 0.05). Basically there are two goat breeds in Latvia: Latvian goats and Saanen goats. In the research, 3261 Latvian and 2032 Saanen goats in closed lactations were analysed. It was found that Saanen goats gave the highest milk yield (579.3±5.01 kg), but Alpine goats – the highest fat and protein content (respectively 41.7±0.63 and 32.3±0.30 g kgE-1; p is less than 0.05). It was observed that most of all the goats kidded in winter (2379) and spring (3378). The highest milk yield (583.8±7.39 kg) was determined for goats kidded in winter season, but the highest fat content (41.8±0.06) and protein content (32.3±0.03) – for goats kidded in summer season. The average milk yield in the first lactation (1636) was significantly lower than in the third lactation (578.0±8.34; p is less than 0.05) when the goats produced the highest milk yield in the research.

Forests play a significant role in the mitigation of climate change through carbon storage and sequestration. However, a forest’s capacity to absorb carbon is influenced by a number of factors, such as soil characteristics, the selection of tree species, and the application of silvicultural practices. A study in Latvia was conducted to evaluate the carbon stock and sequestration potential of birch, common aspen, black alder and grey alder growing on periodically waterlogged and drained organic soils. Empirical data of forest resources were obtained from the National Forest Inventory (NFI) from 2016 to 2020. The findings indicate that black alder may thrive in both soil types, as it showed the best increase in carbon stock in periodically waterlogged soils, reaching a maximum of 129 t C haE−1 at the age of 61–70 years. Greater carbon sequestration in tree biomass occurs on drained soils compared to periodically waterlogged. Birch, aspen, and black alder stands may store between 106 and 119 t C haE−1 at age of 61 and 70 years, which is similar to grey alder stands at ages of 31–40 (114 ± 0.73 t C haE−1). Therefore, a short rotation for grey alder growing on drained organic soils could maximize carbon accumulation and add substitution value. These results suggest that different types of deciduous trees have varying capacities for carbon storage and sequestration, and that it’s important to consider site-specific factors, rotation age and silvicultural practices when aiming to maximize carbon sequestration in tree biomass.