Land fragmentation is a problem for many post-communist countries. Different aspects of land fragmentation have been investigated by many researchers. However, there is little attention paid to the issues of internal fragmentation of agricultural parcels. In this study, internal fragmentation is understood as the following phenomenon: a parcel consists of different types of land plots or one land type (e.g. arable land) is split into separated plots. In this study the empirical test of internal fragmentation of arable land inside agricultural parcels has been made. The aim of the study was to examine the existence and extent of internal fragmentation of agricultural parcels. The digital map of boundaries of arable land parcels and data about land types (arable land, roads, etc.) from the Estonia National Topographic Database were the data sources of the study. The following characteristics were calculated in a GIS environment for agricultural parcels: compactness coefficient; number of pieces of arable land inside a parcel; Januszewski index for characterization of internal land fragmentation and the ratio (in percent) of arable land in a parcel. The results of the study show the existence of internal fragmentation of arable land inside agricultural parcels. Arable land is internally fragmented in about 30 percent of agricultural parcels. The area of the arable land plot inside parcels is 7.7 hectares if there is no internal fragmentation. In the case of internal fragmentation of the arable land, this area is 5.6 hectares respectively.

The paper “Latvian Services Sector Development Model: Internet Solution” addresses an issue of the quality of business environment in the Latvian services sector. In the paper, there are analyzed governmentally supported information systems, data bases and e-services aiming at simplification of B2G communication process, identified their advantages and drawbacks, as well as determined potential for their further development. As a result, a model for optimization of governmental on-line tools, fostering an access to business-related information and fulfilment of administrative procedures in the services sector, has been developed. The paper provides a diversified four-layer solution, which may be progressively realized, depending on the available financial resources.

The aim of the study is to clarify the compliance of machinery information systems used by Latvian logging service providers with the requirements of the Forest Machine Data and Communications Standard StanForD 2010. For determining the number of logging machines and structure registered in Latvia, data from the State Technical Control Agency of Latvia (VTUA) has been used. This dataset includes 2094 registered machinery units from which 1663 units recorded as harvesters and forwarders are distributed for data processing. Using the national AS Latvian State Forests (LSF) database, where 541 machinery units have been recorded, of which 239 harvesters and 302 forwarders, it is determined what and how many machines already use the standard StanForD 2010, how many machines can implement it and which machines are not suitable for the implementation of StanForD 2010. The study showed that the VTUA register does not fully reflect the true quantity of harvesting machines in Latvia and does not provide information about the use of machines. The LSF data provide reliable information on the possibilities of using StanForD 2010 in harvesters in national forests. From the harvesters working in the country’s forests, 52% of the machines use the StanForD 2010 standard. Work should be continued to clarify the possible use of the standard in the machines working in private forests. Similarly, work should be continued with dealers of harvesting machines to identify models for which it is possible to adjust the StanForD 2010 standard and what the cost of adapting the indicative information systems is.

Every day millions of new data records with spatial component are produced in the world, which provide valuable information to make decisions and solve business-related issues. However, a large part of this data is hardly analysed because of their different structures and schemas. The aim of the paper is to improve the integration, processing and analysis of unstructured spatial data. During the research, the author analysed geospatial data types and sources, explored NoSQL solutions for geospatial data processing and chose the open-source tools which are the most appropriate for the stated goals, as well as analysed the coverage of forest areas with protected zones using MongoDB database capabilities and visualized results in a map, using QGIS software. MongoDB is a useful tool for geospatial data analysis and has a large number of embedded topology analysis functions and has drivers for widespread programming languages like JavaScript, Python, PHP, Java, Scala, CNo., C, C + +, etc. QGIS has extensions that allow to make connections to databases, including a connection with MongoDB. Using these features, the developers can develop geographic information systems to analyse geospatial data – structured, semi-structured and unstructured. Generally MongoDB is used for real-time data analysis; however, complicated analysis of large data sets can take up to hours and even days, so it is still necessary to find the best solution to get results in an acceptable time for users. Using MongoDB together with Apache Hadoop – the framework to support big data applications – could be a possible solution for this problem.

The study represents results on remote sensing methods based evaluation of land use and land use changes in former and existing peat extraction areas in Latvia. The aim of the study is to elaborate activity data set for the National GHG inventory for the wetlands remaining wetlands for peat extraction. The study results provide sufficient data for application of the default emission factors for the peat extraction sites and flooded lands. Abandoned peat extraction fields, which are not yet afforested, flooded or rewetted, should be reported as peat extraction sites following a conservative approach in application of the emission factors. The study results can be used to report land use changes since 1990; however, linearized approach in calculation of the land use change may result in overestimation or underestimation of GHG emissions in certain periods of time. According to study results, the area of peat extraction sites is considerably bigger than currently reported in the National GHG inventory, mainly due to considerable areas of abandoned peat extraction fields. Flooded lands may be a significant source of emissions and should be introduced in the National GHG inventory to secure consistency of reporting. Methodology for calculation of GHG emissions from flooded lands should be also elaborated. It is also necessary to elaborate emission factors for fertile and no fertile peat extraction sites and continue work on separation of different soils in the inventory to increase accuracy of calculations.

With the growing demand for e-learning, as well with the striving for excellence, everyone worldwide is encouraged to improve and ensure the quality of e-learning. Quality assurance requires a supportive environment. The purpose of this paper is to propose procedures for evaluating and controlling the quality of e-learning materials. The article reflects on the approach, which is often mentioned in the field of quality assurance, procedures that characterize the processes, helps to sort them, track their progress sequence and identify those responsible. Clearly, the quality of online learning has many dimensions, but this article deals only with the part that relates to the quality of e-learning materials. In January 2018, experts from European Distance Education Secondary School, Riga Distance Education Secondary School and Riga 1st Distance Education Secondary School were interviewed. The questionnaire included questions about the quality assessment of the study materials. Based on the findings of scientific research literature and taking into account the good practice, procedures for the quality control of electronic learning materials were created. The article offers four procedures that include the use of a web-based checklist developed by the author. Activities of procedures can be divided into areas of responsibility that deal with developers of the material, methodological commission, material evaluators and IT administrator. Distance learning program implementers can use the proposed procedures in the process of making and monitoring electronic learning materials. In addition, the checklist helps to identify important conditions and requirements that affect the quality of the study material.

Smoked sprats (Sprattus sprattus balticus) from the Baltic Sea are one of the most popular processed fish products in Latvia. The amount of catching and demand is annually increasing. For producers, it is important to provide stable quality throughout the year, which sometimes is challenging due to many factors. Smoked fish quality depends not only on the seasonality, but also on the applied technologies. The aim of the current study was to review research findings about factors affecting the smoked fish quality. The databases of Science Direct, Web of Science, Wiley Online Journals and Google Scholar were searched. The first parameter that affects quality of fish till processing is raw material, its catching place and season, as well as whether it is fresh or frozen fish, that includes not only microbiological parameters, but also physical and chemical changes in fish depending on the storage conditions. The second parameter is the applied pre-treatment methods (using salt, acids) before processing, which can improve fish texture and make better result for smoked fish. The third parameter is the used technology for the fish processing, heat treatment methods use of wood chips or liquid smoke, or adjustment of smoking conditions. These all together make a lot of sensorial and textural changes in the final product. If any of these parameters is changed during processing, they can affect the smoked fish quality. Therefore, to ensure constant quality of smoked fish, in-depth knowledge of parameters is extremely important.

The process of creation of the informative systems based on the account of such animals as horses, sheep and goats is analyzed in the work. Three structural models are created and their comparative analysis is conducted. As a result of analysis the general elements of structures, characteristic to each model were found. The Meta modelling approach to facilitate the system was used. The system has a more abstract structure and allows dynamically to adding not only the animal specimens but also new types of attributes in fly during runtime. Recompilation of the system is not required there is no necessity of the analytical restructuring of the model, the absence of type explosions is guaranteed in a database because not a new table-type, but a new record in one or two tables is added.