GURINIMAS

Estonia and Latvia have a common goal - to reduce the nitrogen input in the Gulf of Riga, due to its extensive pollution impact. The objective of the project was to develop close cooperation between Estonian and Latvian authorities and research institutions for the reduction of the nitrogen load into the Gulf of Riga. 

The cooperation within the project GURINIMAS addressed the following challenges: How to address the nitrogen pathways within and between air, soil, and water? What are the implications of the nitrogen cascade for developing practices that minimize pollution swapping and maximize co-benefits? Is nitrogen ‘pollution swapping’ still an issue when considering farming toward improving nitrogen use efficiency? What implications does the nitrogen cascade have for the development of effective policy instruments? Could strategies that seek win-win situations across the nitrogen cycle help overcome barriers-to-change?

One of the most anticipated results of the project is the GURINIMAS virtual tool, that will help entrepreneurs and farmers understand the nitrogen cycle and nitrogen that is generated on their farm. The tool is currently available for download here, but will soon be available as an online tool.

Another result of the project is the developed integrated nitrogen management system for Estonian and Latvian governmental institutions. The creation of the system involved an economy-wide inventory of the nitrogen cycle and identified economic sectors that have the greatest impact of the nitrogen flow to the Gulf of Riga. As well, it includes an integrated approach to reducing nitrogen pollution across sectors. 
 

Project materials

GURINIMAS: Integrated nitrogen management system for the Gulf of Riga

Comparative overview of reactive nitrogen (Nr) flows in Latvia and Estonia

Annex 1. Reactive nitrogen (Nr) flow by pools in Latvia

Annex 2. Reactive nitrogen (Nr) flow by pools in Estonia

ARUANNE: Bioloogiliselt omastatava lämmastiku bilanss Eestis

Project website (seminar and conference materials & presentations)

The project contributes to the implementation of the EUSBSR policy area "NUTRI - Reducing nutrient inputs to the sea to acceptable levels"  and the achievement of the EUSBSR objective "Save the Sea"