Challenges for the development of lowland rivers ecosystem services in the context of sustainable development goals

Inga  Grinfelde; Kristaps  Siltumens; Sindija  Liepa; Jovita  Pilecka-Ulcugaceva; Juris  Burlakovs

Authors

Inga Grinfelde Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Environment and Civil Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Management, Latvia; Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Scientific Laboratory of Forest and Water Resources, Latvia
Kristaps Siltumens Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Environment and Civil Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Management, Latvia; Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Scientific Laboratory of Forest and Water Resources, Latvia
Sindija Liepa Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Environment and Civil Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Management, Latvia; Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Scientific Laboratory of Forest and Water Resources, Latvia
Jovita Pilecka-Ulcugaceva Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Environment and Civil Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Management, Latvia; Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Scientific Laboratory of Forest and Water Resources, Latvia
Juris Burlakovs Estonia University of Life Sciences, Estonia

Keywords:

Ecosystem services, water quality, ecosystem health, freshwater, sustainable hydrology

Abstract

In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution transforming Our World: a 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It sets 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved in order to reduce global poverty and promote sustainable global development.
Governments around the world have adopted sustainable development goals to water quality improvement and the revitalisation of freshwater ecosystems. They have set ambitious targets to improve water quality by reducing pollution, removing landfills and reducing releases of hazardous chemicals and materials, and protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers and lakes. This is an opportunity to change the degradation of the environment for decades or even centuries and to focus seriously on the recovery of the environment.
The aim of this study is to analyse the opportunities provided by the ecosystem services of the Svete River at Jelgava municipal level in the context of the United Nations 17 sustainable development goals. The created matrix provides a deeper understanding of the role of ecosystem services at local authority level and provides a framework for the further development of ecosystem services. The results of this pilot study can be used as a basis for the development of ecosystem services in municipalities with lowlands.