Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity

There are between 35,000 and 45,000 species of plant, fungi and animal in Estonia, as well as 66 protected bird sites, totalling 1,283,143 ha [ ] 101 Semi-natural communities and their maintenance The importance of semi-natural communities lies in the preservation of biological diversity. These commu- nities are important habitats for many types of organisms, making attractive feeding and resting areas for migra- tory birds. This reduces the economic damage caused by birds feeding on young crops. Coastal and floodplain meadows are very important to migratory birds. Semi-natural com- munities are also important feeding areas for pollinators such as bumble- bees, and the success of agricultural production relies heavily on the exist- ence and diversity of pollinators. Natural floodplains contribute directly to human wellbeing, helping to avoid flooding during high water periods and the resulting economic damage in residential areas. Most of the Estonian meadows are semi-nat- ural, that is, they have developed as a result of human activity such as haymaking and herding. Estonian semi-natural communities are some of the most diverse habitats in the world, and accommodate nearly 700 plant species. Biological diversity is typical to wooded meadows (the largest number of plant species found on one cubic metre is 74) but also to al- vars. In order to preserve semi-natural communities, approximately 60,000ha have been placed under protection. In 2013, 27,000ha of protected semi-nat- ural communities were being prop- erly maintained, and 3,000ha were being restored. The country is aiming to increase the volume of properly maintained semi-natural communities to 45,000ha by 2020; the protective measures of the remaining 15,000ha of protected semi-natural communi- ties need to be established by 2030. Thanks to restoration and mainte- nance measures, the status of coastal and alluvial meadows has improved in recent years. But more attention needs to be paid to the restoration and maintenance of wooded mead- ows and alvars. The vegetation of coastal meadows, alvars, wooded meadows and floodplain meadows is being monitored over the entire area of distribution within the framework of a national programme. There are also additional species monitoring programmes for semi-natural com- munities. These areas have a huge aesthetic and recreational value. The Estonian natural landscapes en- dowed with well-cared-for semi-nat- ural communities are attractive to tourists. By providing information about historical land use and ways of living, semi-natural communities have a high cultural value, and those bordering intensely cultivated agri- cultural land are important wildlife corridors for various species. Vixen returning from her hunting trip Estonia E stonia’s most important ecosystems in terms of species richness are forests, semi-natural communities, mires, inland bodies of water and the sea with its coastal areas. The semi-natural communities of grasslands form the natural habitat for nearly 700 plant species, creating some of the most species-rich habitats in the world. It is estimated that approximately 60,000ha of semi-natural communities are now under protection. The proportion of mires is 5.5 per cent (240,000ha), and 175,000ha of mire ecosystems, mainly bogs, are under protection. The ecological status of most of the small lakes and inland waters is good, and because of national and European agreements, pollution and over fishing in the sea and coastal areas of Estonia has been mitigated. Martin Arusalu on Unsplash