The common tree frog Hyla arborea is mentioned 4 times in faunistic literature of 18th and 19th centuries. Already in the beginning of our century two scientists wrote: comon tree frog can not be found in Latvia, and later in Red Data Book of Latvia. The zoologist have researched for the common tree frog but without results. Some years ago in western part of Latvia. Discussion is about status of common tree frog in Latvia: introduced or reintroduced.

Beavers are tipical heabivores, their specific lifestyle has formed 15-20 million years ago throughout the evolution process. Beavers had vanished from Latvia during seventies of 19th century. For reclimatization beavers were presented to Latvia during seventies of 19th century. For reclimatization beavers were presented to Latvia by Norway and Voroneza preserve in 1952. There is given a mention that there are more than 50 thousand beavers in Latvia. A successful reintroduction of beavers in man transformed environment has created problems for owners of agricultural soils as well as heads of protectable nature objects, still, it is also internationally acknowledged.

The paper presents information about the main macroeconomic and Latvian social indicators' development in 1995-1998. The most important social indicators are reviewed in the current literature. Economic situation is analysed in Latvia using statistical and survey's data and econometric methods. Transition process from planned to market economy in Latvia creates a lot of social problems, what are necessary to solve so as Latvia has the goal to become a member of the European Union. Paper deals with problems of the EU requirements, methods and components, indicators of living standard analysis and conclusions concerning the social welfare of population in Latvia.

In the given article author has evaluated situation in environmental legislation in Latvia after Law of expiration of leagal norm adaptation of Soviet Republic of Latvia. Author considers December 31, 1999 as optimal period that would foster also an introduction of EU system of standartization and legal protection of environment in Latvia until 2005.

Three different periods of the Latvian Governments import and export policy are discussed: 1) the period of the first independence of Latvia (1918-1940); 2) the period of Soviet Latvia (after the WWII-1990); 3) the policy of the independent Republic of Latvia at present (beginning with 1990). The import and export relations with different countries in the above mentioned periods are explained and expressed in percental. It is noted that on October 14, 1998 the Republic of Latvia was admitted to the world Trade Organization and now its foreign trade policy is in accordance with the policy of EU and WTO.

Latvia arboraceous junipers (Juniperus communis L.) with trunk perimeter of more than 80 cm is in state protection as a natural monument. Currently there are 54 such exemplars in Latvia. Rietekla juniper is the thickest of all, its trunk perimeter is as thick as 2.75 and height - 9.3 meters. That is the thickest juniper in Baltic as well as in the territory embracing all post-soviet states. The longest juniper in Latvia reaches height of 12.2 meters. Author is convulsed by the consequences entailed by decrease in agricultural activities in Latvia that results in neglected agricultural soils and consequently also the big junipers - the natural monuments - are subjected to extinction.

On the ground of the scientific investigations at the Latvia Plant Protection Centre (1947-1981) and the Latvia University of Agriculture (1994-1998) the dynamics of grain crop weediness in Latvia has been analysed. It has been established that such weed species as Bromus secalinus L. and Agrostemma githago L. have almost disappear. The number of Galium aparine L. and Veronica sp. is increasing in crop agrocenosis. In the last 50 years the occurrence of Agropyron repens (L.) in crop sowings has increased. At the beginning of 1980-ies the level of grain crops weediness in some regions of Latvia (Kurzeme and Zemgale) was not lower than that of 1994-1998.

The necessity of diagnostics of trace elements in soils is explained. Three different extractions up-to-now prepared by the laboratories of Latvia for the determination of Cu, Zn and Mn contents in field soils are described. To increase the effectivity of analyses the new internationally recognized methods have been studied, the usefulness of their introduction in Latvia and more exact interpretation of obtained results are discussed. The methods used in Latvia up-to-now are compared with the EDTA methods applied in the nearest to Latvia EU countries. The normative values of Cu, Zn and Mn content in the soils of these countries are analysed. The conclusion is drawn that the optimal content of macro- and microelements in Latvia's soils must be determined.

The article presents as information on the essential changes which have taken place in strategy of crop protection and agronomy in Latvia during the last five years. Up to 1995 crop protection in Latvia was based only on the experience of experts. Weather based computer programmes have not been used for prediction of pest and disease outbreaks. For the present moment, weather - based system for calculating accumulated risk values of certain cereal pests and diseases and potato late blight is under evaluation in Latvia.

The author discusses the document "Appraisal of the institutional, economic and legislative aspects of the Latvia forest branch state administration". The document has been worked out in the framework of the Latvia-FAO project. The history of the forest branch development and administration in Latvia is reviewed, all the changes and transformations are analysed. The presents forest reforms and the State policy in this branch are explained. Four fundamental functions of the State in the longstanding forest management (normative function, supervision, ownership, support are discussed).