Biobased hydrogels are three-dimensional polymeric matrices with a unique high water-holding capacity, which are mainly obtained from polysaccharides and proteins. Such a variety of natural polymer structures offers a range of hydrogel products with interesting physicochemical and biological properties. Nowadays, these matrices are already used in many industrial and environmental fields, which is considered extremely important. Moreover, the literature on the subject is constantly expanding, especially in areas of scientific research. The main purpose of this article is to briefly review the current development of matrices composition and properties of hydrogels of natural origin, considered as functional platforms in three application areas, primarily in biocatalysis, nutrition and medicine. The description of individual issues in the present article is supported by examples of case studies described in our previously published research papers, as well as considered in current projects of our research group.

Remote sensing technology and the Earth system data it can obtain can provide great support for the monitoring and management of protected areas. These data can provide the ecological indicators of a place. It is very important to understand the situation concerning the natural land elements of a pro-tected area and to stop unacceptable actions in time. This paper presents an analysis of the natural elements of the land use/land cover (LULC) in the landscapes of protected areas. Freely available Sentinel-2A (S2A) multispectral data were used to classify the LULC and monitor the situation of protected areas. The research object was Trakai Historical National Park, which is an authentic land-scape in Lithuania. First, the Sentinel-2A image was processed and classified using the random forest algorithm by the special Lithuanian remote monitoring data collection, processing, use and storage system of the Environmental Protection Agency Lithuania. Next, the LULC model was statistically analysed using Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) software. The authors recommend automating these processes. The results show that in the period from 2021–2022, the farmland areas (cultivated meadows, decay areas, winter cereals, intensive cultivated crops and natural meadows) in Trakai Historical National Park decreased by 9.2%. Meanwhile, the forest, water and wetland areas increased by 9.6%, which makes it possible to conclude that these changes are beneficial for the ecosystems in this area.