GEOSPATIAL DATA ANALYSIS OF THE DEGRADED AREAS OF KURZEME AND ZEMGALE REGIONS OF LATVIA

Abstract

The use of degraded areas reduces the burden on the use of agricultural land for industrial purposes. After the restoration of the country's independence in 1991, the area of agricultural land in Latvia has decreased by 21.7%. Taking into account climate change and the current geopolitical situation, it is necessary to look for suitable territories for the production of electricity with renewable energy sources in order to ensure the country's energy independence. In the study, 158 pcs.geospatial analysis of land units containing contaminated or potentially contaminated territory. The goal was to find out which of the land units, on which the municipal waste collection and storage sites of rural areas were historically located, would be suitable for the possible construction of solar and wind power plants. Measurements were made from the geometric center of the land unit to electrical networks, settlements, access roads, nature protection objects. It was determined that the state and the municipality own 71% of the land units with degraded territory. Of the land units included in the study, up to 10% have potential for electricity generation with renewable energy resources.