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Hydrological modelling has long been recognised as an essential tool for understanding and predicting water dynamics, particularly in regions where long-term observational data are limited. In Latvia, significant advancements have been made in the development of hydrological models, with the METQ model family becoming one of the most widely applied for the simulation of runoff and groundwater level regimes. Initially developed in the 1980s, METQ has been continuously refined to improve its predictive capabilities,...

The research was carried out to examine the influence of tributary inflows on the hydrochemical properties of the Svete River, which traverses intensive agricultural regions. Sixteen monitoring sites were selected along the main channel and at major tributary junctions. Water samples were collected monthly from surface layers (0 5 cm) over a one-year period, and concentrations of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and selected metals were evaluated. A multi-parameter probe and an inductively coupled plasma optical ...

Lake Liepaja, a shallow lagoon-type lake located in the temperate climate zone, is affected by persistent ecological pressures, including nutrient enrichment, sediment contamination, and climate variability. This study presents an overview of long-term water quality dynamics based on monitoring data from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (2001-2023), interpreting key physical and chemical indicators as evidence of broader ecological trends. Multi-year records of physicochemical parameters wer...

Peatlands are crucial carbon sinks, but their degradation through extraction and drainage results in substantial greenhouse gas emissions and ecosystem disruption. This study investigates groundwater level dynamics in a 16.4-hectare extracted peatland in Central Latvia to assess hydrological conditions relevant for restoration. Groundwater levels were monitored from May 2023 to May 2024 using TD-Diver loggers installed in six wells. The data reveal pronounced spatial and seasonal variability, with precipitation an...

The development of sustainable ecosystem services worldwide is one of the priority issues in the context of environmental protection. Sustainable use of ecosystem services ensures the conservation of natural resources for future generations. In the cold climate of the lowland river, there is a highly seasonal hydrological regime affecting the use of ecosystem services. Biodiversity in flood meadows depends directly on seasonal variations in water levels. Balanced hydro generation and water regulation can pose risk...

The oversupply of water during the floods and the low soil surface levels determine the difficult ecological, economic, and demographic conditions. It then leads to using agricultural land of different types and intensities and various methods of regulating the water regime: summer polders. Human activity has significantly impacted the ecological processes of the floodplains of the Svete floodplain with extensive amelioration works that have significantly altered the appearance of a natural park. The total area of...

The increasing world population demand for bioeconomy products intensify the nitrogen cycle and encourage eutrophication in water bodies. Global climate change and land use transformation have a significant impact on the hydrological cycle. Integrated water management in the catchment area is a sustainable solution for catchment area development and balancing economic and environmental interests. The aim of this study is to develop an optimization model for sustainable lake management. The case study is done in eu...

Land reclamation is an improvement of land, which reduces the adverse effects of climate conditions and ensures the sustainable use of natural resources. Latvia is in humid soil area, which means that soils are formed under wet conditions. During the spring and autumn, these soils are wetted and unsuitable for land treatment. The installation of drainage systems shall ensure the reception of excess humidity and its removal from agricultural land, which makes it possible to process the land and to carry out economi...

Balanced development of ecosystem services in regions is one way of achieving the UN's sustainable development goals. Ecosystem services are divided into three main groups: First delivery services. Nature supplies us food and drinking water, raw materials and alternative energy sources. Thanks to natural biodiversity, we can grow a variety of vegetables and fruit, gather berries and mushrooms in the woods, and fish in the sea, rivers and lakes. Nature also supplies drinking water, which is the source of life for e...

Changing climate variability and the type of land use are the main factors influencing the hydrological regime. The hydrological regime of the lake has a direct impact on biodiversity and has an impact on socio-economic processes in areas adjacent to the lake. The aim of the study is to predict and assess the impact of climate change and the change in the type of land use on the hydrological regime of Lake Usma. Two linear land-use change scenarios were used for modelling. Twelve climate scenarios were used to mod...

The river is the consequential landscape ? forming element as it is rinsing and transporting the weakest rocks, scraping the bed and accumulating the sediment. During these processes in the river, diverse ecosystems are forming in various areas that provide habitats for a wide range of plant and animal species. In almost every river there is occurring a natural process as erosion. River erosion assessment should be considered in river management and included in management measures, as erosion can be determining fa...

Anthropogenic activities disrupt hydrological regime (e.g. lake water level, river flow), and water quality changes due to pollution and affect ecosystems by disrupting the cycles of substances and water cycle. The composition of natural surface waters can be altered for a many reasons, for instance climatic, geographic as well as anthropogenic. Agriculture depends on a use of fertilizers, a use of pesticides, and a transport which turn agricultural land into a nonpoint source of surface water pollution. The agglo...

As a result of increasing concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus, surface water chemical pollution and eutrophication is a problem of raising concern worldwide. Chemical quality of surface water gives an impression about different geochemical, geological, hydrological and biological processes, as well as intensity of anthropogenic load in river catchment area. The total length of Svete River is 123 kilometres, of which 75 kilometres are in the territory of Latvia. Main part of river?s drainage basin...

One of the most investigated topics in hydrology, during last decades, is climate change impact on hydrological cycle. Changes in the use of land is additional factor influencing hydrological regime and watershed run-off. To understand urbanisation and climate change cumulative impact on watershed run-off, modelling of different climate change and land use scenarios would be essential. The aim of this study is to investigate how watershed run-off of the Usma Lake, located in Kurzeme region of Latvia, will respond ...

Lake Usma is unique with hundred years' old nature reserve and Natura 2000 territories in one part of the lake and developing the tourism industry in other part of the lake. During last ninety years, the water level of Lake Usma increased for approximately one meter, which caused coast erosion, changed soil ground water level in large territories around it and it is regarded to be a major factor for lake ecosystem functioning. To find sustainable management solution of Lake Usma, there is a necessity to understand...