Forest drainage is a common management practice, carried out in order to improve tree growth; however, the alterations in hydrological and microclimate dynamics can cause diverse changes in the characteristics of ground cover vegetation. The aim of study was to characterise the composition and richness of ground cover vegetation in drained forest stands, where the groundwater levels have been affected by the reconstruction of drainage diches. Research was conducted in the hemiboreal forests of Latvia. Three study sites were chosen, measurements of groundwater level, stand parameters and projective cover of ground covered vegetation took place in two stands which underwent reconstruction and restoration of the drainage system in 2019, and a control stand, where the drainage system had not been restored. For assessing the relationship of ground cover vegetation in relation to groundwater level and stand factors, DCA analysis was used. The differences between stands, regarding the species projective cover and species composition, were assessed by ANOSIM (Analysis of similarities). Sites, where drainage ditches were fully or partially reconstructed exhibited a greater diversity of ground cover vegetation species compared to the control stand, where no renewal of drainage ditches had occurred. Conversely, the control stand displayed a higher projective cover of the bryophyte layer. The composition of ground cover vegetation species differed amongst all studied stands, the varying stand characteristics and co-dominant tree species in canopy layer had a more pronounced influence on ground cover vegetation, making it complicated to evaluate direct impact of groundwater level.

The introduction of non-native tree species has been used as a climate change mitigation tool. To ensure the anticipated benefits, the analysis of species radial growth reactions to meteorological factors should be carried out. Initially, tree species were introduced to non-native regions as food resources, yet the focus has now shifted towards favourable wood properties and growth rates. This study used tree ring width measurements of Japanese walnut Juglans ailantifolia and climate data to examine the relationships between these variables. A total of 30 trees were sampled from a stand located in the southern part of Latvia. Tree ring width (TRW) was measured, and residual chronology was derived. Pearson correlation analysis was used to detect the correlating meteorological factors, and a linear mixed-effects model was used to detect the key factors. The correlation analysis indicated generally low correlation coefficients between TRW and meteorological factors, primarily correlating with summer precipitation, both the current and preceding summer, highlighting carry-over effects. Furthermore, signature years underscored the negative effect of low temperatures and summer droughts on the radial growth of Japanese walnuts. However, the observed variation in TRW between years, not fully explained by meteorological factors, suggests a dynamic rather than stable relationship.

In Uzbekistan, the main food product is bread, which is produced in various forms from local and imported wheat. Most of it is not studied by microelement analysis. The objective of this study is to quantify trace elements in locally produced wheat from various cultivated regions of Uzbekistan. Four different varieties of wheat are cultivated in Sirdarya, Tashkent region, Kashkadarya and Fergana were selected for analysis. Next, a comparative analysis of the elemental composition like iron, zinc, potassium, calcium etc., in the selected samples were studied. To carry out the above aims, an innovative research method was chosen, which is called improved instrumental neutron activation analysis. This method differs from others in its high accuracy in determining trace elements and its multi-element nature. Using this method, we can understand how insufficient nutrients are in baked goods made from wheat grain grown in Uzbekistan. Based on the results of the study, it can be recommended to enrich the soil with fertilizers high in iron and zinc. As a result, in turn, will have a positive effect on the health of the population, since today there is a shortage of the above listed elements. It was also revealed that the concentration of potassium and calcium in wheat cultivated in Uzbekistan is in a high state than other elements. Using the chosen method, two toxic elements were determined and according to the analysis for toxic elements, all four samples are recommended for consumption, as they do not exceed the permissible level for food safety.

Melon seeds have been recognized as a nutritional powerhouse, offering a range of essential vitamins and fatty acids that play a critical role in maintaining and enhancing our health. This study aims to analyse the fatty acid profile and water-soluble vitamins in melon seeds in order to highlight the importance of incorporating melon seeds into our diets, not only as a source of nutrients but also as a means of promoting overall health and well-being. It delves into the rich nutritional profile of melon seeds, underscoring their valuable contribution to a balanced diet. Water soluble vitamins C, PP and B1 were detected in melon seeds in this study. Regarding fatty acid profile, PUFA C18:2 was the most abundant (35.31%), followed by MUFA C18:1 (25.83%), although other unsaturated and saturated fatty acids were also determined. This comprehensive analysis of melon seeds’ nutritional benefits encourages further exploration of their potential in enhancing diet quality and supporting long-term health objectives.

Nowadays, when the economic development of countries is more and more influenced by knowledge-based, innovative entrepreneurship, particular attention is paid to the application and protection of intellectual property. Enterprises can acquire intellectual property rights in various ways externally and such rights can also be generated by enterprises internally: they launch and subsequently produce new or improved products and services (research and development) and ensure the protection of intellectually intensive products (patents, trademarks, computer software, etc.). Thus, it is important to study the valuation and accounting of intellectual property rights. The aim of the research is, on the basis of the studies of intellectual property rights accounting policy in Latvia, to identify the shortcomings related to the valuation and accounting of intellectual property rights and to develop recommendations for their elimination. The following research tasks are subject to the aim: to study IPRs concept, regulatory framework and statistical data, to valuate accounting policy for IPRs; to identify shortcomings related to the valuation and accounting of IPRs; to develop recommendations for the elimination of identified shortcomings. The results of research enable to draw a conclusion that the requirements of the laws and regulations of Latvia do not prevent from the capitalization of intellectual property rights as intangible assets; however, it is necessary to revise and improve some requirements. In the conclusion of research, the authors have elaborated recommendations for the elimination of identified shortcomings.

Covid-19 has affected the whole economy of Latvia, leading to various social and economic problems in the country. Social economy actors applying an innovative approach to solving social problems could make a significant contribution to improvement in social life, especially during the Covid-19 crisis and the post-crisis by supplying various services and products, helping the state to solve gaps that it cannot cope with without the help of the private or non-governmental sector. The research aims to describe the challenges faced by social economy actors in Latvia during Covid-19 and their responses to the crisis. The research employed case study analysis to describe the responses of 9 social economy organizations to mitigate the consequences of the crisis. The research found that Covid-19 had a negative impact on the performance of social economy actors faced by financial, organizational, social and psychological challenges, which overall did not significantly differ from those faced by other market actors in the particular situation. To solve the current problems in society and ensure their self-existence, social economy actors implemented an innovating strategy that focused on three priorities: new digital experiences, products and services in response to changes in customer behaviours and needs; development of new offers for a new or the current target group; new partnerships both within and outside the industry.

Social protection for families with children is one of the priorities Latvia has highlighted in its strategic planning documents. Moreover, the priority being advanced for several planning periods indicates on the necessity to improve social security and foster the birth rate in the country. The research aim is to develop priority scenarios for possible improvement of social protection for families with children in Latvia. The authors put forward four scenarios for the improvement of social protection for families with children in Latvia, of which the experts in the field recognised the replacement of the personal income tax relief for children with a larger family state benefit as the priority. This would ensure fairer support for all families with children, including those on low incomes. Also, increasing the minimum wage and reducing the shadow economy would improve the social protection of families with children. Evaluating the criteria of population interests, the experts recognised the increase of family social security as more important than the increase in the number of children in the family, as the increase of social protection would contribute to the increase in the number of children in families thereof.

The society has changed its habits, and public demand requires a more extensive offer of environmentally friendly goods and services on the market, including more products of plant origin. New plant-based products continuously appear on the market. As competition in the segment of plant-based beverages intensifies, brands are forced into differentiating their products by including elements of sustainable marketing in their marketing materials to induce consumers into making purchase decisions and purchases. This study aims to find out which sustainable marketing elements contribute to consumer decisions to purchase and consume plant-based beverages. The article presents the results and trends based on the 1st stage of the study – a pilot survey and structured in-depth expert interviews. The pilot survey identified the key sustainable marketing elements in consumer decisions to purchase plant-based beverages: product availability at food supermarkets; advertising at point of sale indicating price discounts; healthy product composition and raw materials; convenient in-store placement, price discounts and natural raw materials, etc. Based on the results of the pilot survey, there were changes made in the consumer questionnaire, and the 2nd stage of the study – a survey of the Latvian population to find out the complex factors affecting consumer buying decisions – was launched in February 2024.

One of the promising areas of creating a competitive market environment is the development of organic production. Under martial law, organic producers faced not only problems related to the export of organic products, but also other challenges caused by the military actions of the aggressor. The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of the war on the export of organic products by domestic agricultural enterprises. The article reveals the general state and changes in the dynamics of export of organic agricultural products by domestic organic producers; the challenges faced by producers of organic products in the conditions of martial law are presented; the impact of the war on the export of organic agricultural products by producers of organic products is determined; the forecast of the value of agricultural products exported by Ukraine for the period until 2025 was made (with the help of retrospective and statistical research methods); directions for supporting exporters of organic products for their development in the future are given. As a result of the authorsʼ research, it should be noted that export operations of organic products will increase, which will allow to ensure the strategic goals of Ukraine regarding development in the market environment.

Newly constructed buildings are subject to stricter requirements – the building must not harm the environment, they must be energetically and economically efficient, comfortable, ecological, etc. One such green energy-saving idea is green roofs and walls of buildings. The purpose of this study is to determine the dynamics of rainwater runoff under real natural conditions, in a typical green roof construction, compared to runoff from a roof covered with bituminous tiles. The study was conducted in the year 2022–2023 by installing two 1 m² stands, which are affected by real climatic conditions. One stand was covered with traditional bituminous tiles, but the other was covered with a ‘green roof’ coating. Meteorological data were obtained from the Kaunas City meteorological station. During the first months of observation, it was possible to record the tendency that rainwater runoff is slow in the case of a green roof, but it continues even after the intense rain has ended. Analyzing the data, it was found during the research that the regression coefficients are very small in assessing the relationship between average daily temperatures and runoff in individual months, R2 – 0.0453 to 0.0553. The study showed that under certain meteorological conditions, a green roof can accumulate up to 35–45 percent more water than a roof covered with bituminous tiles. This means that the water is accumulated and then slowly drains into the rain collection systems.