This study explores the dynamics of publishing Earth sciences-related books and other original publications in Latvian over the last 30 years from experts’ point of view. Eight experts related to the Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences of the University of Latvia were interviewed about their motivation for writing monographs, competition from scientific articles, and how book publishing is influenced by cultural values in an age of information technology. Results suggest that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find practical reasons for creating scientific books in Earth sciences due to their pragmatic and cultural connotations. It is implied that publication in Latvian does not contribute to productive science on a global scale. However, many works are still produced with support from international funds and national institutions, often available in bilingually and in both digital and physical formats.

The paper investigates diaspora engagement in Latvia’s development, by analysing diaspora professionals’ multinational and multilevel networking and cooperation practices with Latvian public administration. The main questions addressed in this paper are: 1) what type of support is provided by diaspora professionals? 2) are there any links between geographical location, institutional affiliation, and networking and cooperation practices at the individual and organisational level? The study was carried out using parallel mixed methods research design. The main results show that Latvian diaspora professionals working at international organisations are willing to cooperate with representatives of Latvia. Even though respondents evaluate existing cooperation opportunities as being rather good, just 56% of respondents have had some cooperation with representatives of Latvia over the last five years. An important key finding on factors contributing to or hindering cooperation and networking at an institutional level was that it is not geographical location itself, but an institutional culture of cooperation and strategic vision on the part of the state or institution responsible for this cooperation that matters the most. Today, cooperation and networking take place primary at the individual level – as a result of pro-active searching for cooperation possibilities on the part of diaspora professionals, and as a result of specific interests, openness, motivation and strategic vision on the part of employees of Latvian public administration.

The research area, the Zebrus–Svēte depression, is located in the southern part of the Eastern Kursa Upland in western Latvia and is one of many glaciodepressions of similar size and shape characteristic of this upland. All the glaciodepressions are bounded by glacial marginal formations, with their characteristic glacigenic landforms and glaciotectonic structures, which are additionally complicated by the formation of glaciolacustrine sediments. To get an understanding of the geological development and developmental stages of this depression, this study also compiles and clarifies information on the positive landforms around the glaciodepression. Nowadays the largest part of the glaciodepression is occupied by two separate lakes: Lake Zebrus and Lake Svēte. Studies of the depression relief isolines, as well as Lidar data and sediment composition characteristics, it can be concluded that at the end of the Late Glacial, there was a large single lake of glacial origin in the depression, which gradually divided into two separate lakes due to a level decrease. On the elevated belt between the two lakes, sediments – gyttja, silt and carbonatic clay – were covered by the low decomposed peat, and Elku Mire developed.

Geography is an interdisciplinary field that explores human-nature interactions. Critical thinking and a knowledge of diverse interrelations are required for the study of geography. Geography graduates must be adaptable and quick learners in order to meet the needs of a continuously changing employment market. The aim of this paper is to investigate the nature of employment for geography graduates. The paper gives an overview of the field of geography and labour market demand for geography graduates. This study is based on the data of the 2021 census, labour market data from the Ministry of Economics, monitoring data from the Ministry of Education and Science on graduates in 2017–2020, and also State Revenue Service data on occupations. The findings demonstrate that higher levels of education lead to better job chances. Graduates of geography study programmes receive qualifications that allow them to work in science-intensive sectors of the economy, such as the professional, scientific, and technical services sector of the quaternary economy.

Rakstā sniegta informācija par Latvijas Universitātes ģeogrāfu darbību 20. gs. 60.-70. gados zinātniskajos institūtos Sibīrijā: Sibīrijas un Tālo Austrumu Ģeogrāfijas institūtā, Zemes Garozas, Arktikas Ģeoloģijas un Limnoloģijas institūtā. Īsi apkopotas ziņas par Sibīrijas pētījumu rezultātiem un ģeogrāfu sibīriešu tradīcijām mūsdienās.

Profesors Reinholds Putniņš pirms vairāk nekā simts gadiem (1920) Latvijā sāka akadēmiski izglītotu ģeogrāfijas speciālistu sagatavošanu, izveidoja Fiziskās ģeogrāfijas institūtu (1922) un nodibināja Latvijas Ģeogrāfijas biedrību (1923). R. Putniņš ir skolojies Krievijā, devies pārrobežu ekspedīcijās, strādājis pie nozīmīgiem fiziskās ģeogrāfijas pētījumiem, Latvijā viņš ir radījis stabilus pamatus, uz kuriem tālāk attīstījusies daudzu spožu ģeogrāfu karjera un akadēmiskā darbība. Latvijas Universitātē R. Putniņš strādājis teju 15 gadus, sarakstījis desmitiem zinātnisku un populārzinātnisku publikāciju, kā arī radījis emocionālus dzejas un prozas darbus daiļliteratūrā. Rakstā aplūkota R. Putniņa akadēmiskā darbība un karjera, kā arī viņa laika biedru ieguldījums akadēmiskajā ģeogrāfijā Latvijā. Tāpat rakstā hronoloģiski apkopotas Putniņa publikācijas gan ģeogrāfijā, gan citās zinātņu nozarēs, papildinot publicēto darbu sarakstus ar līdz šim vienuviet neapkopotām publikācijām.

Klimata pārmaiņas ir veicinājušas to mazinošu aktivitāšu ieviešanu. Latvijā plaši izplatītas gan kūdraugsnes, gan purvi, kuru veidošanos ietekmējuši ģeogrāfiskie un ģeoloģiskie apstākļi. Šīs teritorijas nu jau tiks ietvertas arī oficiālajos nacionālās siltumnīcefektu izraisošo gāzu inventarizāciju ziņojumos Eiropas Savienībai. Viena no klimata pārmaiņu mazinošām aktivitātēm ir piedāvājums atjaunot purvu un kūdrāju hidroloģisko režīmu. Mitros kūdrāju apstākļos samazinās CO2 emisijas, augošā veģetācija no atmosfēras uztver CO2 un nodrošina ilgtermiņa oglekļa noglabāšanu kūdras slāņos. Virszemes augošā biomasa var tikt novākta un izmantota dažādu produktu ražošanā, ko plašāk pazīst kā paludikultūru, kas ir lauksaimniecība un mežsaimniecība – uz mitriem un pārmitriem kūdrājiem un kūdraugsnēm, kas nodrošina kūdras uzkrāšanos un ilgtermiņa saglabāšanos. Šajā pētījumā apskatīta pašreizējā situācija paludikultūru audzēšanas un izmantošanas jomā Latvijā un izvērtēti plašāki paludikultūras ieviešanas aspekti. Kaut arī atsevišķi uzņēmumi un projektu īstenotāji jau audzē paludikultūras un veic izmēģinājumus, pašreizējā likumdošana un valsts politika neatbalsta pilnvērtīgu paludikultūru ieviešanu.

The paper sheds light on the active involvement of Latvian geographers and maritime geologists in exploring coastal regions and maritime geology throughout the 20th century. It highlights the establishment of the All-Union Marine Geology and Geophysics Scientific Research Institute in 1967, which played a pivotal role in advancing geological research in Latvia. Key researchers such as R. Knaps, V. Ulsts, E. Grinbergs, and I. Veinbergs are mentioned for their significant contributions to studying coastal erosion, sediment flow, and the relief of the Baltic Sea. These experts embarked on expeditions, gathering valuable data and sediment samples, often using specialised ships for geodetic measurements. The text underscores the interdisciplinary nature of the research, involving collaboration between geographers, geologists, cartographers and other professionals. Their efforts led to the creation of detailed profiles, maps, and geological charts, contributing to a deeper understanding of Baltic Sea geology and coastal erosion patterns. The narrative also touches on the challenges and risks encountered during maritime expeditions, including unfortunate fatalities. The author concludes by highlighting ongoing engagement with the Latvian Geographical Society and collaboration with fellow researchers and educators in the field of geography. In essence, the text offers insights into the enduring contributions of Latvian geographers and maritime geologists in advancing the understanding of coastal dynamics, maritime geology, and larger endeavours of scientific exploration in the Baltic Sea region.

Raksts sniedz īsu ieskatu lauka pētījumos Latvijā un ārpus tās, kas papildināts ar fotostāstu par Latvijas dažādu paaudžu ģeogrāfu lauka pētījumiem un mācību praksi. Lauka pētījumi ir savstarpēji cieši saistīti ar ģeogrāfijas mācīšanu augstskolās. Ņemot par pamatu literatūras apskatu, raksts sniedz ieskatu prasmēs, ko ģeogrāfi iegūst, piedaloties lauka pētījumos. Tie kā daļa no ģeogrāfijas mācību procesa mūsdienās ir apdraudēti finansiālu apsvērumu dēļ. Toties vēsturiskā pieredze un materiālais mantojums, kas saistīts ar lauka pētījumiem un mācību lauka praksi Latvijas ģeogrāfijas ilgajā pastāvēšanas laikā, līdz šim nav pietiekami pētīts.