This study investigates the distribution and carbon content of organic soils in Latvia, leveraging machine learning techniques alongside remote sensing and National Forest Inventory (NFI) data to enhance the precision of organic soil mapping. Our approach integrates data from various sources, including airborne laser scanning (ALS) data, digital elevation models (DEM), depth-to-water (DTW) and wet area maps (WAM), and historical organic soil data. By classifying over 24,000 soil probing measurements across Latvia into distinct peat layer thickness categories, we develop a machine learning model that categorizes the thickness of the organic layer with notable accuracy. Our findings indicate that the model, particularly when employing the xgbTREE algorithm and over-sampling method, successfully identifies areas with peat layers thicker than 40 cm, demonstrating a significant improvement over traditional mapping methods. The study reveals an underestimation of organic soil coverage in Latvia by previous estimates, suggesting a broader distribution than recognized, with the model achieving an accuracy of 0.86 and a kappa value of 0.67. This research not only underscores the efficacy of integrating machine learning and remote sensing for soil mapping but also highlights the critical role of accurate data and models in determining organic soil distribution. The insights gained from this study are vital for policy-making and environmental planning, offering a more detailed understanding of Latviaʼs peatland resources and their conservation needs.

Students experienced various challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, e.g., distance learning, which caused limited faceto-face socialization opportunities with peers, leading to loneliness and anxiety. Loneliness and anxiety are known to be associated with psychological difficulties such as depression or lack of motivation, feelings of anxiety and difficulty concentrating on work, etc. COVID-19 also had an impact on the physical health of young people, such as back pain when sitting at the computer, eye pain and other difficulties. Although COVID-19 is no longer an issue, young people studying remotely during the pandemic are now our learners. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify the emotional state of school youth at the moment and the impact of COVID-19 on their mental health, as researches show that three-quarters of all mental disorders appear before the age of 24. At this age, there are rapid changes in the body as well as the formation of personal identity. Based on these considerations, the Nordplus project ‘Methods for working with young people to ensure learning process resilienceʼ was initiated, in which surveys of students and teachers were organized, and six different educational institutions from three Baltic states participated in the study. Results show that students feel tired, anxious, and angry and have too heavy workload. Teachers think that physical activity, sports and help with studies could reduce the mental health problems of students, but for students, it is most important to spend more time with friends.

In the world practice, scientific research is aimed at the development of oral knowledge, skills and abilities in teaching English. The technical higher educational institutions and the integration of skills in teaching process are being conducted. The English language proficiency is becoming increasingly important for academic success. English is one of the compulsory subjects in the school curriculum, and it is taught in all disciplines, including teacher training, vocational, science, engineering, and technology. The aim of the article is to substantiate how to teach students to develop oral speech using problem-based learning and to strengthen their knowledge in the fields of engineering, management, and business spheres, to increase the effectiveness of oral speech in English, and how to effectively use Problem-based learning skills (PBL) in the technological processes. Results show the important aspects of Problem-based learning method in today’s modern educational environment, the development of critical thinking, independent and creative skills of learners, the further development of the mental activity, the search for various solutions to problem situations, effective methods of problem-based education, general information about its importance and features are given.