NATURE AS INDICATOR OF PLACE ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY

This article analyses the role of nature as an ecosystem in economic sustainable development of rural environment. The analysis is carried out using direct face-to-face interviews and focus groups with active people in rural areas who during the period 2009-2013 have developed or participated in the preparation of project applications in the EU LEADER programme in the territory of Madona Region Community Foundation including 5 local municipalities in Latvia. The operation strategy of the Foundation aims at developing a quality living environment in the area. The following secondary source was used for the analysis of interrelationships on the importance of nature in place economic development - Latvian Country Tourism Association survey of tourists about the factors that affect the choice of destination for the holiday in a rural area in Latvia. Primary and secondary results of the study showed that in general the nature has an important role in place economic sustainable development, because that is why people choose these places for living, working and leisure.