History

1950 – beginning of long term population studies of water birds of Lake Engure, a Ramsar site.
1976 – beginning of long term hydroecological studies of water reservoir after building of Riga Hydropower station.
1982 – regular hydroecological observations were started on the Salaca River, a medium salmon river of Northern Latvia.
1992 – beginning of long term studies of Scots pine forest ecosystems of North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve near the town Mazsalaca.
1995 – beginning of long term studies of Lake Engure aquatic ecosystems, surrounding wetlands and terrestrial ecosystems.
1996 – beginning of long-term studies of biodiversity of coastal meadow reserve ‘Randu meadows’ of the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve.
2003 – representatives of ILTER and Robert Wide visited Latvia and examined long term research performed in the country. Latvia receives financial support from US NSF for implementation of National LTER network. Support from the Council of Sciences of Latvia, long term research project grants.
2004 – on the annual ILTER Coordinating Committee meeting in Manaus (Brazil) Latvia was officially accepted as a member of ILTER network.
2007 – in Balatonfured (Hungary) Latvia was among founders of the European regional LTER network.

Research projects

Changes in species diversity on the background of fluctuations of climatic and anthropogenic factors (2009–2013).
Development of conceptual integrated model of socioeconomic biodiversity pressures, drivers and impacts for the long-term socioecological research platform of Latvia (2010–2014).
Variability of climate in Latvia and its impact on hydroecosystems (2005–2009).
Biota migration in the hemiboreal zone: current state, control and prognoses (2005–2009).
The impact of environmental changes on the development of freshwater communities and quality of hydroecosystems (2005–2009)
Dynamics of Latvian avifauna (2005–2009).
Biodiversity of the coastal zone of the Gulf of Riga under anthropogenic impact (2005–2009).
Effects of Climate Change on the Nature of Latvia (2005–2009).

Publications

Research sites