The University of Latvia (UL) team in the Europe-LAND project brings together experts of environmental science, geoinformatics, and socio-economy. The UL team performs GIS and spatial data analysis, focusing on sustainable land use and land cover changes. Its work, integral to the project’s objectives, includes mapping future land use patterns to address climate change and biodiversity. The UL team’s interdisciplinary approach enhances understanding of land-use dynamics, contributing significantly to developing sustainable land-use strategies in Europe.
Team Members
Māris Kļaviņš, Dr. habil. chem., a distinguished Professor and Head of the Department of Environmental Science at the University of Latvia, has a wealth of experience in environmental science, bioeconomy, and sustainable management. With an impressive track record of supervising Ph.D. students and authoring scientific articles, his expertise significantly enhances the Europe-LAND project’s research capabilities. Prof. Kļaviņš’ leadership in various interdisciplinary projects showcases his ability to integrate circular economy and bioeconomy approaches into environmental research, making substantial contributions towards sustainable land-use strategies.
Karina Stankeviča, Ph.D., a leading researcher at the Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences of the University of Latvia, has a robust academic and research background in environmental science. With a Ph.D. in Earth Sciences, her expertise spans landscape architecture to digital visualization. Stankeviča has contributed significantly to projects on sustainable land use and peat-free soil amendments, reflecting her dedication to environmental sustainability. Her role in the Europe-LAND project underscores her commitment to tackling climate change and biodiversity challenges through innovative research and scientific leadership.
Zane Vincēviča-Gaile, Dr. chem., an esteemed environmental scientist at the University of Latvia, is pivotal in the Europe-LAND project. Her expertise in environmental quality, sustainable land management, resource recovery, and circular economy brings insight into the project’s focus on sustainable land-use strategies. Her research is related to developing innovative solutions for sustainable land management and valuably contributes to the project’s objectives.
Māris Nartišs (not pictured), Dr. geogr., a leading researcher at the Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences of the University of Latvia, plays a crucial role in the Europe-LAND project with his deep expertise in GIS, spatial data analysis, and environmental geoinformatics. His work spans a broad range of applications, from paleohydrographical modelling using open-source GIS to contributing to developing GIS tools and web-based solutions. His interdisciplinary approach, combining geography, IT skills, and environmental science, significantly advances the project’s sustainable land use and climate change mitigation objectives.
Jānis Krūmiņš, Dr. geogr., a leading researcher at the Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences of the University of Latvia, brings to the Europe-LAND project his profound expertise in environmental sciences, particularly in the studies of peat properties and wetland ecosystems. With a strong background in geography and environmental protection, his research has significantly contributed to understanding sustainable land use and climate change mitigation. His work, especially on the characterization of humic substances and their application in environmental technologies, underscores the interdisciplinary nature of the project’s efforts to model future land use and land cover patterns.