Environmental Research & Sustainable Water Management in Latvia

Eco Forums is carrying out an extensive ecosystem services assessment within the LIFE GoodWater IP project, focusing on demonstration sites where various water management and wastewater treatment measures are being implemented. The evaluation examines both the direct and indirect impacts of these interventions on the capacity of ecosystems to provide essential services.

Special attention is given to wastewater management, one of the most significant anthropogenic pressures affecting the ecological quality of surface waters in Latvia. The ecosystem services assessment is methodologically linked to analysing the influence of wastewater treatment solutions introduced within the project. The inflow of biogenic substances into aquatic ecosystems—originating from both wastewater and diffuse agricultural runoff—directly affects the availability of key ecosystem services, including clean water provision, biodiversity maintenance and regulating functions.

The assessment goes beyond the evaluation of water quality parameters and examines the functional contribution of management measures to the preservation and restoration of ecosystem services.

In addition, Eco Forums contributes to reducing surface water pollution, including lake pollution, by conducting problem analyses, identifying priority risk waterbodies, and developing a logical structure for project actions and outcomes. The organisation ensures compliance of the application documentation with LIFE programme methodological and administrative requirements.

Within the scope of point-source pollution reduction, Eco Forums evaluates the impact of both centralised and decentralised wastewater systems on risk waterbodies. The team also develops innovative technological solutions for improving wastewater treatment performance and proposes measures for wastewater sludge management.

Eco Forums implemented a targeted set of educational activities for a broad audience, including students, municipal representatives of Cēsis, Ādaži and Sigulda, and the general public in these regions.

The conceptual core of the project focused on explaining the economic value of natural resources, with particular emphasis on the systemic importance of water and aquatic ecosystems in sustainable environmental management. Participants were introduced to the multifunctional role of aquatic ecosystems as providers of supply, regulating and supporting services. The project highlighted how ecological degradation of these systems leads to complex socio-economic consequences.

Through this approach, the project strengthened public understanding of how the monetary valuation of natural capital can be integrated into sustainable environmental governance and decision-making processes.

This project, implemented under the “Nature and Biodiversity Conservation and Protection” guidelines, focused on delivering informative and educational activities designed to increase public awareness of the value of biodiversity and the importance of nature conservation.

Eco Forums organised activities aimed at educating residents about the ecosystem values of nature parks, principles of biodiversity protection, and sustainable resource use. The project also emphasised the strong interconnection between human well-being and a healthy natural environment.

The implemented actions encouraged community engagement in nature protection and strengthened understanding of the need to integrate biodiversity conservation principles into everyday decision-making.

As part of the PLASTECO project “Support to EU regions in reducing and limiting plastic waste”, Eco Forums carried out an extensive information review and prepared a detailed analytical report.

The resulting publication, “Cleaning Plastic Waste from Aquatic Areas – Practices and Initiatives”, provided a structured overview of existing approaches and initiatives aimed at reducing plastic pollution in water environments. The report summarised technical solutions and good practices from various EU regions.

Its purpose was to support regional policymakers and management institutions by offering evidence-based recommendations for more efficient plastic waste management in waterbodies and riparian areas, while also facilitating interregional exchange of experience on plastic pollution reduction.

Within the LIFE Waste to Resources IP project, Eco Forums carried out a study on the implementation of a “Pay-As-You-Throw” (PAYT) system in Latvia.

Eco Forums carried out a study assessing the feasibility of introducing a PAYT system for household-level mixed waste reduction. The research integrated a technical-economic analysis with an assessment of social acceptability.

The technical-economic component evaluated infrastructure requirements, cost structures and possible tariff models for PAYT implementation. The social component examined public attitudes toward the system, identifying key barriers and supporting factors for its adoption.

The study’s conclusions provided an evidence-based foundation for policymakers considering integration of the PAYT principle into Latvia’s national waste management regulation.

Eco Forums developed a comprehensive nature management plan for the Pape Nature Park. The work included a full ecological assessment of the territory, covering biodiversity inventories, mapping of protected species and habitats, and analysis of anthropogenic pressures.

Based on collected field data, conservation objectives were defined and management measures were developed to ensure favourable conservation status of protected species and habitats. Zoning requirements were also established to guide sustainable land use.

The resulting management plan supports long-term protection and stewardship of the park’s unique ecosystems, including coastal habitats, wetlands and biologically valuable grasslands. All measures were aligned with the requirements of the EU Habitats and Birds Directives and balanced nature conservation needs with recreation and local socio-economic interests.

Eco Forums conducted a full ecological evaluation of the Laugas purvs Nature Reserve, including protected species inventories, mapping of EU priority habitats, and assessment of population status and anthropogenic impacts.

Special emphasis was placed on analysing the hydrological regime of the peatland, a critical factor in maintaining favourable conservation status of bog habitats. Based on scientific data, conservation objectives were defined and management measures were proposed, including hydrological stabilisation and control of invasive species.

The plan established necessary land-use requirements in line with the EU Habitats Directive and national legislation governing Latvia’s protected nature areas.