Recreation services are the forests’ non-market goods which constitute a substantial part of the total economic value and are important for the choice of multi-functional forest policies. However recreational services do not always have a market price and comparatively less literature applies value orientations to examine issues concerned with recreational use of natural resources. This research reports on the findings of the comprehensive, national-level study about the contribution of forest recreational services to Latvia’s national economy in 2009 and about the respondents’ declared choices, travel costs and willingness to contribute some money for improvement of amenities in a forest. Two general information sources were used to obtain the information - available statistical data and the contingent valuation survey to estimate the respondents’ choices and habits for recreation activities in the forests. Results show that forest recreation is very popular and highly valued in Latvia. The statistical analysis confirms that the significant differences exist between varied respondents’ socioeconomic groups in their objectives, choices and preferences to use the forest recreational services.

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.

In this article, the results of research on WRI of LUA Juodkiškiai experiment field (1999 – 2003) are discussed. Fertilization and other factors influence over potassium fluctuation, its balance and leaching into drainage water during crop rotation are analysed. In order to evaluate the potassium balance and its quantity passed together with rainfall, seeds, fertilizers and take with the yield (secondary and primary production) was established in plant residues and drainage water. When fertilizing with liquid manure, potassium balance was negative while growing perennial grasses as much potassium was needed to mature their yield. The investigations established that potassium concentration in drainage water and its leaching was increased by precipitation during the research period, and it was reduced by the amount of this element taking out with yield. Soil geochemical environment had influence on the increase of potassium supply in soil. It was established that long-term fertilization with liquid manure had raised the potassium supply in soil. However, from an ecological point of view, potassium leaching did not cause any problems. In all treatments the potassium concentration in drainage water did not exceed permissible concentration.

Modelling of the domestic wastewater treatment and removal of the Ptotal in the vertical filters with the sand, dolomite powder and dolomite chippings each separately used as a filter media was performed. Six filter models taking 0.2 m2 each were installed. The length of the filtration path was equal to 0.8 m in three of these models and 0.4 m in the other three models. The hydraulic load on the filters was equal to 0.03 m3 mE-2 dE-1 in 2008, and it was equal to 0.06 m3 mE-2 dE-1 in 2009. The domestic wastewater which had undergone the pre-cleaning in the septic systems was poured into the models. Their average pollution with the Ptotal reached 14.6 mg LE-1 in the first year and 9.2 mg LE-1 in the second year. When the filtration path was equal to 0.8 m and the hydraulic load was equal to 0.03 m3 mE-2 dE-1, the Ptotal was removed from the wastewater with the efficiency of 99.9% in the dolomite powder filter. In the filter models with the sand and dolomite chippings, the Ptotal was removed with the same efficiency of 87.7%. When the hydraulic load doubled, the efficiency of P removal decreased to 59.8% in the sand filter and down to 45.7% in the dolomite chippings filter. When the hydraulic load reached 0.06 m3 mE-2 dE-1, only the dolomite powder filter could ensure the adequate cleaning of the domestic wastewater up to the allowable norms.

The theme of landscape identity becomes actualized beside with the impact of globalization. Landscape identity is closely linked to the Latvian national identity. The concept of identity is multifaceted and touches on a number of scientific areas that currently in Latvia are actively investigating this phenomenon. Landscape investigators admit the multidisciplinary structure of the concept of identity, including in their researches the investigations of historical, visual and associative aspects. Landscape identity is related to detection, identification and definition of landscape elements, because landscape elements are the key to the perception of identity. The method of landscape identity assessment is based on three stages: the assessment of the historic, visual and cognitive elements in formation of landscape identity. The assessment of historic elements in formation of landscape identity is associated with the investigation of historic materials and description of structural elements according to the stages of development. The assessment of visual structural elements of landscape identity is based on the material collected during the field work by filling in the landscape assessment matrix. The assessment of cognitive structural elements of landscape identity is based on the opinion survey, which makes it possible to find out the concealed associative identity. The information obtained in all stages of landscape identity assessment forms the landscape identity model. The aim of the research is to develop the method of landscape identity assessment. The research was carried out at Latvia University of Agriculture in 2010.

The article presents information on the greenery in the large-scale residential area courtyards built in the Soviet period. The data on the importance of the greenery in the large-scale residential areas of the Baltic States were analysed. The analysis was carried out on the large-scale residential area courtyards built in the second half of the 20th century in Pärnu, Jelgava, and Siauliai, which until present have not experienced any changes of the landscape. The research established that these courtyards can be characterised as the unused territory resources. Consequently, there is a necessity to resolve the topical issues of the greenery in the Soviet period large-scale residential area courtyards. From the theoretical aspect, the information gathered in the research on the greenery in the large-scale residential areas has revealed relevant suggestions for the improvement of the present condition. The variety of information reflects the significance of the greenery in the large-scale residential area courtyards that have to provide an aesthetically pleasant image of the territory for every inhabitant of the territory. The methods applied in the research describe the present condition of the Soviet period courtyards.

The research was accomplished within the framework of the doctoral thesis, with the aim to clarify the role of Latvian Manor Park in the settlement landscape ecology. Significance of the Latvian Historical Park in the settlement landscape ecological processes in Kuldiga district was discussed and analyzed. To achieve set objective of the research, there was developed the landscape ecology assessment methodology of the settlements in the influence of the historical parks based on generalized scientific cognitions and researches in the landscape ecology, and scientific researches of the population loads and historical park value. The developed method was applied by surveying the selected historical parks in the settlement, and by assessing biodiversity factors, urbanization load, and landscape ecological networking compatibility degree. As a result, the selected settlements of historical parks were marked in the district of Kuldiga in the landscape ecological map, highlighting the importance of both national and European level. The results indicate significance of the historical parks in the settlement landscape ecology and that the role of historical parks in the settlement landscape ecology is essential, which ensures the natural basic resources air, water and soil quality. In the settlements, the historical parks existence is high value and quality environmental guarantee, which would have been managed according to the proposed principles of landscape ecology science.

The report presents the assessment of emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) generated by the treatment, disposal and storage of sewage sludge in Latvia. The aim of the study was to determine GHG emissions from stored sludge because those were not previously estimated. The proposals for the further reduction of the GHG emissions are elaborated on the provided estimations of different treatment models. The calculations of GHG emissions are conducted by using acknowledged software and data from Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre. Data from the year 2005 till 2009 about the amount of stored sludge were used by the authors for mathematical calculations in the year 2010. The long-term storage of sewage sludge and their disposal in landfills were detected as the main sources of GHG. It was detected that the average GHG reduction of 5 Gg per year can be ensured by using biological treatment of sewage sludge.

Environmental pollution that has been one of the key issues for decades has still not lost any of its topicality. In order to study the impact of air pollution on the growth of Norway’s spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), 31 sample plots were established at different distances and directions from the pollution points in the Western part of Latvia. The plots were established starting from the year 2008 summer-autumn season and finishing with the spring of 2009. The selected stands were 32 - 171 year old and of different forest site types. The selection was used in the State Forest Service database and cartographic materials. Empirical data was obtained from each of the plots which reflected the environmental effects on the trees. To ascertain the effect of air pollution on the growth of Norway spruce, the algorithm based on additional increment to volume was used. Air pollution affects eating, regardless of age and the type of growing conditions. Pollution effects are closely related to the distance from the source.

Economic importance of Silver birch in Latvia has been increasing in last decade, triggering scientific research, dedicated to improvement of this species, including tree breeding. Bulk of progeny trials will reach the evaluation time in next few years; therefore, decisions for further tree breeding activities have to be made. The aim of our study is to evaluate profitability of silver birch breeding, based on current situation in the year 2010 and circumstances in Latvia and assess the factors that might notably influence the result. Analysis considers all available breeding material and links between tree breeding, seed orchards and end product – forest stand, regenerated with improved plants in order to evaluate profitability of different alternatives based on differential approach. Results reveal that differential benefits from forest regeneration with selected birch material in comparison to natural regeneration, in areas with highest site indexes (Ia-II) with 3% interest rate and at least part of the stands managed in order to maximize yield of large diameter trees at age of final felling, are positive. The highest profitability can be reached if selection of best individuals is done based on clonal testing, genetic gain is maximized and combined with proper silvicultural praxis and annual planting area (utilization of seeds from selected trees) are maximized.