Histosols cover about 8–10% of Lithuania’s territory and most of this area is covered with nutrient-rich organic soils (Terric Histosols). Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from drained Histosols contribute more than 25% of emissions from the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector. In this study, as the first step of examining the carbon dioxide (CO₂) fluxes in these soils, total soil CO₂ efflux and several environmental parameters (temperature of air and topsoil, soil chemical composition, soil moisture, and water table level) were measured in drained Terric Histosols under three native forest stands and perennial grasslands in the growing seasons of 2020 and 2021. The drained nutrient-rich organic soils differed in terms of concentrations of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen, as well as soil organic carbon and total nitrogen ratio. The highest rate of total soil CO₂ efflux was found in the summer months. Overall, the rate was statistically significant and strongly correlated only with soil and air temperature. A trend emerged that total soil CO₂ efflux was 30% higher in perennial grassland than in forested land. Additional work is still needed to estimate the net CO₂ balance of these soils.

Agriculture and forestry remain vital sources of rural employment; yet both sectors face challenges of low labour productivity, demographic change, and structural inefficiencies. Modernisation improves productivity but often reduces labour demand, creating a policy dilemma between innovation and job preservation. Therefore, this study aims to quantify labour input across different land use types related to agriculture and forestry in Latvia. This study develops a multi-stage framework to quantify labour inputs across agricultural and forestry land uses in Latvia. The research results indicate that labour intensity decreases with farm size but varies more strongly by production type. Perennial plantations, vegetable and potato cultivation, and dairy and pig farming show the highest labour demands, whereas energy crops and grass-based systems require the least. In forestry, establishment and tending dominate labour needs, while mechanised harvesting reduces input requirements. These findings highlight the strategic role of labour-intensive, high-value activities in sustaining rural employment. Policy should prioritise targeted support for labour-intensive, high-value farming and forestry activities to maximise rural jobs and income growth.

This study investigates the impact of crop type and soil characteristics on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Latvian agriculture, offering insights directly relevant to policymakers and practitioners focused on sustainable land management. From 2020 to 2023, emissions were monitored across four agricultural sites featuring different crop rotations: blueberry monoculture, continuous maize cropping, winter barley–winter rapeseed rotation, and spring barley–bean–winter wheat–fallow rotation. Results indicate that GHG emissions vary widely depending on crop and soil type. CO₂ emissions varied significantly based on both crop and soil type, with organic soils under maize cultivation in Mārupe averaging 184.91 kg CO₂ ha⁻¹ day⁻¹, while mineral soils in Bērze under spring barley emitted 60.98 kg CO₂ ha⁻¹ day⁻¹. Methane absorption was highest in well-aerated mineral soils, reaching 6.11 g CH₄ ha⁻¹ day⁻¹ in spring barley fields in Auce. Maize cultivation contributed the highest N₂O emissions, reaching 33.15 g N₂O ha⁻¹ day⁻¹. These findings underscore that targeted practices, like optimized crop rotation and fertilizer use, can substantially reduce GHG emissions. Climate variability across locations affects soil moisture and temperature, but these factors were statistically controlled to isolate the impacts of crop type and soil characteristics on emissions. This study provides valuable data to inform sustainable agricultural policies and help achieve EU climate goals.