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Soil is an essential component of ecosystems, one of the most important natural resources and a significant factor in maintaining ecosystem health and biodiversity. Since 2002, the LUCAS (Land Use/Cover Area Frame Statistical Survey) project has been regularly implemented in the European Union to obtain data on changes in land cover and land use patterns, various environmental indicators, as well as indicators characterizing soil properties. Field studies were conducted and soil samples were taken within the frame...

The growth course properties of grey alder (Alnus incana (L.) Moench) on different site types are still insufficiently researched, especially, if to compare the forest and abandoned agricultural lands. Due to the species relatively high prevalence in private forest areas in Latvia, which according to the forestry statistics data, equaled 11% in 2023, it has crucial significance to the economy. The paper analyses 40-year-old grey alder stands on abandoned agricultural land, forest land, and forests along the rivers...

The forests of south-western part of Zemgale Plain in Latvia are characterized by Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands on fertile, nutrient rich soils. The existing information about these sites suggests of the calcium carbonate rich loamy sand soils formed by moraine. The Scots pine stands in area of Tervete National Park reach age of 260 years. The oldest and biggest trees reach considerable dimensions – up to 70 cm in diameter and height of 47 m, thus exceeding the country's average indices. These are the ol...

By studying the dendrometrical indices and vitality of introduced woody plants grown in an arboretum, it is possible to conclude about the success of their adaptation in country's climatic conditions. Growth indicators of introduced woody plants growing in Latvian arboretums can be used to study the introduction and adaptation of woody plants, in accordance with the influence of climatic conditions. The aim of the work was to describe the taxonomic composition and quality of the trees of the Arboretum Lacupite. Th...

Renewable energy is one of the most lenient and convenient ways to get energy. With ongoing climate change and exhaustion of fossil fuels, we need to find and promote other alternatives to get the energy, and wood biomass is one of them. Historically Latvia has large areas of abandoned agricultural lands, that are overgrowing with various wood species, which could be used for energy production. The wood resources are natural, renewable and environmentally friendly. The purpose of research work is to assess the amo...

Biomass is the world's fourth largest source of energy after oil, coal and natural gas. Biomass is the largest and currently the most important renewable energy option and can be used to produce various forms of energy. As a result, biomass, together with other renewable energy options, is able to provide all the energy services needed in today's society, both locally and globally. Among many other aspects, the renew-ability and versatility of biomass as an energy source is also an important advantage. In addition...

Forest resources are the most significant natural wealth of the state of Latvia. According to the data of the 2nd stage of the forest resource monitoring for 2014, Latvia has 3575 thousand hectares of forest land comprising 55.3 percent of the total territory of Latvia, while the total timber stock estimated at 668 million cubic meters. Each forest stand has a certain amount of undergrowth and understorey ? small dimensions woody plants (shrubs) which is few researched until now. The most precise determination of ...

The main goal of young forest tending is to create suitable forest stands with desired structure of tree species and certain number of trees for ensuring of sufficient growth space. Tending needs to be done both in naturally and artificially regenerated young forest stands by creating composition of forest stand and releasing space for growth of most perspective trees, which is done by removing trees of poor quality and one lagged behind in growth. Thus tending has a great impact on creating productive forest of h...

The work analyses an impact of a drainage system, established in 1939 on overgrown pine tree stand in longer period of time. For the purposes of study 14 sample plots, established by scientists K. Buss and P. Zalitis during the 50's and the beginning of 60's, were remeasured. Sample plots were organized in the Myrtillosa turf. mel., Vacciniosa turf. mel., and Callunosa turf. mel. forest site types. Stands basal area increased in all compared forest site types, maximal being 41.7 m2 ha-1 in Myrtillosa turf. mel. fo...

Considerable efforts have been devoted to the exploration of Latvian forest resources as the most significant national natural wealth. The State Forestry Research Institute is conducting the statistical forest inventory, is fixing the data of felling and recovery of forest stands. Detailed statistical information for the assessment of different aspects is available. In recent years, the consumption of certain woody biomass products, such as chips and pellets, has a tendency to grow, due to a number of factors: the...

Forest resources are the most significant natural resources of the state of Latvia. According to the second stage data of Forest Resource Monitoring, in 2014, Latvia has 3575 thousand hectares of forest land, which accounts for approximately 55.3 percent of the total territory of Latvia, while the total wood stock is estimated at 668 million cubic meters. A considerable part of it can be used for energy production, thus practically providing most of the necessary heat energy, a large part of the amount of electric...

The broadleave tree species have always been in the focus of attention of forest managers and owners because of valuable wood. Moreover, the presence of broadleaves increases the forest biological diversity. There is only a limited selection of tree species in Latvia ? the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karsten), silver birch (Betula pendula Roth), pubescent birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.), black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.), less represented - common ash (Fraxinus excelsi...

The research investigates the relation between the magnetic field deviations and the forest stand volume. The object of the experiment for the study of wood stock and related quantities was selected on the basis of the magnetic field deviations map. The Ogre Magnetic Field Anomaly Region has been selected for the research. The magnetic anomalies (magnetic field deviations) data were created digitally: a full polygon layer with values, vectorial data were obtained by adding the measurement data of the magnetic fiel...

In the current forest typology?s scheme of Latvia the descriptions of vegetation are based on corresponding forest type?s ground vegetation in maturity stand. However, in practical forest management it is important to know forest ground vegetation?s development through all foresty cycle and valuate phytocoenoses state in every stand?s age and development?s stage. There are significant changes in ground vegetation?s taxonomic structure, projective covering and vertical structure in all forest types from clearing ti...

In Latvia, English oak Quercus robur L. planting material is grown both as bare-root seedlings and bare-root plants. Its breeding is difficult, because the quality of planting material is affected by both abiotic and biotic factors. Damage caused by various factors may be spread evenly and unevenly in the area of cultivating planting material. The most common damage to seedlings and plants can be observed already in the spring, when new leaves begin to flourish and new shoots develop. It is clear that differences ...

The research analyses and evaluates changes of dendrometric indices of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) young growths over years, characterizes the impact of various factors on growth course. The investigation includes data of 84 sample plots arranged in western, central and eastern regions of Latvia. The established sample plots comprise forest compartments in Vacciniosa, Myrtillosa, Hylocomiosa, Vacciniosa mel. and Myrtillosa mel. site types. The data obtained in sample plots were collected in period between 201...