Wiley online

This article examines the particularities of constitutional control models in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. On the thirtieth anniversary of regaining independence in 2020 for Latvia and Lithuania and in 2021 for Estonia, it is an opportune moment to consider the path taken by constitutional review institutions in each of the three Baltic States. Accordingly, the authors explore the establishment of the particular constitutional review model in each country and discuss the main features of constitutional adjudication: the status and the composition of the constitutional review bodies, the subjects entitled to file a petition, the main elements of their jurisdiction, and the legal effects of the constitutional judgements. The paper also looks briefly at the possible perspectives. The choice of a constitutional control model in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia results in differences in the place of a constitutional control institution in the judicial system, its special competence (other than constitutionality control of legal acts), and composition. However, regardless of which model of constitutional control was implemented, during the transitional period to a more democratic political regime, it has been vital to guarantee the fulfilment of the objectives of the constitutional control bodies without fear of legal or political obstacles and interference. These constitutional justice institutions in the respective country have step by step developed into authoritative bodies that have no peer, are irreplaceable, and are appreciated by state power institutions and the society.

The soil in conventional Mediterranean vineyards is an active and non-sustainable source of sediment and water. Lack of vegetation cover, small soil organic matter content and intense ploughing result in large rates of erosion in a millennia-old tillage system. There is a need for soil conservation strategies that enable sustainability of wine and grape production; therefore, it is essential to measure the rates and to investigate the processes and factors of soil erosion. This study evaluated factors that can reduce soil losses in traditional Mediterranean vineyards. The investigation was carried out with 96 rainfall simulation experiments at the pedon scale (0.24 m2) to measure soil detachment and runoff yield under low frequency–high magnitude rainfall events of 1 hour at 55 mm hour−1. On average, runoff was 40.6% of the rainfall, and the rate of soil erosion (i.e. amount of soil lost) was 71.5 g m−2. The key factor controlling erosion was the rock fragment cover. There was a clear decrease in soil losses with increased rock fragment cover on the soil surface, but an increase in surface runoff. The results of our study showed that rock fragments at the pedon scale reduced soil erosion in Mediterranean vineyards, but when a layer of embedded rock fragments developed, large rates of runoff were triggered.