The Social-Ecological Systems Research Centre

The Social-Ecological Systems Research Centre conducts research and provides teaching in environmental and physical geography, grounded in an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary perspective on the historical, current and future interactions between humans and the environment, and human-nature relationships.

Research areas

At SESPC, we study changes in human-environment systems in the indivisibility of natural and social systems. Our research focuses on the functioning, planning, and management of these systems, promoting understanding of natural capital frameworks and developing innovative solutions for the preservation of biodiversity, socio-cultural diversity and the environment. We participate in both fundamental scientific research projects and applied projects in nature conservation and spatial planning.

Topics for Bachelor’s and Master’s Theses

Anita Zariņa (Room 337, anita.zarina@lu.lv)

Various topics addressing current issues in human–nature interactions from an environmental geography perspective. At present, her particular interests include:

Research on rivers and other water bodies in the context of historical change, landscape transformations, governance, everyday practices, and cultural values.
Human–wildlife relationships (including conflicts and coexistence practices in both urban and rural environments).
Green infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and ecological restoration projects – their implementation practices, public attitudes, and ecological significance.

Ivo Vinogradovs (Room 205, ivo.vinogradovs@lu.lv)

Assessment of ecosystem services in specific territories, spatial structure, and conflict zones between different types of services.
Green infrastructure planning in various contexts (urban planning, nature conservation, forestry, agriculture) across diverse landscapes.
Decision-support systems and their analysis in land use (urban planning, nature conservation, forestry, agriculture).

Solvita Rūsiņa (Room 337, solvita.rusina@lu.lv)

Resilience of natural and semi-natural ecosystems and the drivers of their change within socio‑ecological systems.
Farmers’ involvement in biodiversity result assessment in results-based agri-environmental schemes: the example of species-rich meadows.
The impact of grazing intensity on the distribution of rare plant species in floodplain grasslands.
Mapping of expansive species using multispectral imagery.

Marks Arnolds Župerka (Room 306, marks_arnolds.zuperka@lu.lv)

Soil diagnostics, modelling, digital and manual soil mapping, use of 3D data for soil characterisation, species distribution modelling.
Comparison of modelling methods for spatial variability of soil chemical properties in complex landscapes.
Influence of ecogeographical factors on species distribution in Latvia

Kristīne Estere Lūse (Room 321, kristine_estere.luse@lu.lv)

Farmers’ practices in using semi-natural grasslands for fodder.
Ecological restoration of ecosystems and its impact on the provision of ecosystem services.
Ecosystem provisioning services – the influence of vegetation composition on vitamin E content in semi-natural grasslands.
Assessment of rare and medicinal plant resources in semi-natural grasslands and their potential for use.

Previously completed bachelor’s and master’s theses can be searched by supervisor or keywords in the University of Latvia e-resource repository: https://dspace.lu.lv/home

Researchers

Anita Zariņa, assoc. prof., Dr. geogr.

Ivo Vinogradovs, leading researcher, PhD

Raimonds Kasparinskis, leading researcher, Dr. geogr.

Solvita Rūsiņa, assoc. prof., Dr. geogr.

Edijs Breijers, researcher

Karīna Ješkina, researcher, PhD candidate

Kristīne Estere Lūse, doctoral student

Marks Arnolds Župerka, doctoral student

Projects

https://watercultures.lu.lv/en/

Water Cultures: A transformative approach for sustainable human-water relationships

https://sisu.ut.ee/create-project/

Cross-REalm modelling and assessment of Aquatic ecosystem services – Towards a science-based design of nature-based solutions to tackle Eutrophication