Urban forests provide ecological and social functions and significantly improve esthetical value of these ecosystems. These forests also function as recreational areas for urban residents. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of understory cutting of different intensity on vegetation and coincidence with Myrtillosa forest type in Mežaparks, Riga. In total nine study sites were established: three sites adjacent to roads where regular undergrowth management is practiced, three adjacent sites to edges of the pathways, where undergrowth management is practiced only occasionally and three adjacent sites to roads where there is no management activity at all. Combined 54 sample plots were created (each sized 10 × 10 m, area 100 m2 ), where vegetation survey was done using Braun-Blanquet method. This study showed that with an increase in the intensity of undergrowth management, in general, the species richness and their coverage increases, or more specifically, the number of herbaceous and moss species increases, but the occurrence of shrub species decreases. In all study sites we observed the development of synantrophic species, especifically, the development of fructification which was indicated by the following species: Sambucus nigra L., Sambucus racemosa L., Amelanchier spicata Lam. If management intensity decreases, the proportion of competitor species decreases, but the proportion of CSR strategy type species stabilizes.

Zemgale geobotanical region historically was dominated by large broad-leaved forests, but last centuries the high anthropogenic pressure on these territories has reduced the area of these forests. In fragmented landscape small patches of natural broad-leaf forests are protected to preserve the forest structural features, which also function as habitats for rare and protected species. The aim of this study was to compare the natural broad-leaf forest habitats and structural elements and vegetation in woodland key habitats in production forests and protected areas (nature park ''Tērvete'' and nature reserve ''Ukru gārša'') in Zemgale. In total, 12 sample plots were established (the size of sample plot 0.1 ha) in Aegopodiosa forest type. In all sample plots forest structural features were measured and vegetation survey using Braun-Blanquet method was made. In this study, we found that average amount of dead wood varies between 78.7 m**3 haE-1 in woodland key habitats in production forests and 133.0 m**3 haE-1 special protected areas. Considerable amount of broad-leaf natural forests represented by nemoral species (50 – 58% of species richness), which corresponds to these forest type communities in the region.

Green infrastructure (GI) is a strategically planned network of high quality natural and semi-natural areas and provides a range of ecosystem services and protects biodiversity in urban settings. It is very important to increase understanding of the role of GI from a scientific and a socio-economic perspective. The main goal was to understand and assess the ways that tourists use from experiencing urban green infrastructure in the cities they visit. An interview questionnaire survey took place among tourists of the following countries and cities: Latvia (Riga and Jelgava) and Portugal (Lisbon and Faro). The questionnaire includes perception, psychological aspects and preferences, behaviour and activities and general questions as well as biographical information about tourists. The study represents that no significant differences have been found between respondent groups in Latvia and Portugal. The results of the survey show that in future there is a need to improve the linkage between GI and social-cultural activities in cities. Therefore, studies for tourists’ perceptions, preferences and uses of GI will provide the alternative management approaches for urban planning and tourism development in future.

The information about gardens of the Duchy of Courland in the 17th century is scarce and fragmentary, as part of documents is lost or exported abroad during the war. The time of the Duchy and its baroque gardens is attributed to reign of E. J. Biron in the first half of the 18th century, when impressive palace ensembles were created the help of architects F. B. Rastrelli and S. Jensen, building of summer residences in Rundāle, Vircava, Svēte, Luste. They served as summer amusement gardens or parks. In their arrangement, a compositional connection with the palace, the front courtyard, outbuildings and the garden was sought. These summer residences were located in rural plain areas, thus, the features of natural area - water, floodplains, terrain, nature of plantations and materials were used. The choice of planting materials was influenced by the climatic conditions - harsh winters, short summers, late spring frosts or early autumn frosts. Therefore, in the Duke’s time gardens, there are no delicate plants such as jews, boxwood plants, peach and mandarin fruit trees imported from the Western Europe. The local trees and shrubs, fruit trees, spice plants were used, vegetable beds made. The study examines two of the Duchy’s summer residences at Vircava (Wūrzau) and Svēte (Swethof), the study of which, as already mentioned, is made difficult due to the relatively scarce information.