How do plants and animals get an Estonian name? Although a name is not quite the same as a designation, they are usually not distinguished in colloquial language. A name is given to an actual being, such as calling a dog Max or an oak the Viiralt oak, while designation is a general term, such as a dog or an oak. Estonian names for beings are terms that are created or organised by terminology...

Environmental supervision is ensuring the procedure established in legislation is followed in the use of the natural environment and resources Environmental supervision is ensuring the procedure established in legislation is followed in the use of the natural environment and resources. This is often a preventive check to prevent infringements or to detect them at the earliest possible stage. The...

How much has the mammal fauna in Estonia changed? The number of known mammal species in Estonia has increased by 30% since the end of World War II, from 46 to 66 species. There are many reasons for this change. Firstly, some species have probably lived here for a long time, but they have not been discovered before. Secondly, some species have arrived in Estonia quite recently, either independently...

Spending time outdoors, climbing trees, playing with rocks, watching insects – all this makes a child notice the nature around them Getting to know nature begins with noticing and giving thought to the surroundings. Therefore, no one is ever too young or too old to discover for themselves the endless wonders of nature and the uniqueness of every moment. How do I make my children interested in...

The twenty-first century is a century of environment, climate, and nature protection – every purposeful activity that protects nature and contributes to preserving the living environment is worth following With simple actions, or occasionally lack of action, you can help preserve habitats and species. Both everyday nature-friendly behaviour as well as active participation in nature conservation...

Grow plants whose nectar or fruit is also suitable for mammals, birds, and insects There is nature all around us. In both the wild bushland and near people – in city parks, waste lands, home gardens. In human-inhabited areas, which until recently were important habitats and sites for many species, there is now mostly low grass where many plant species cannot grow and where insects cannot find...

The diversity and species richness of a landscape is not just a value in itself, but it also provides direct economic benefit for farmers. At first, it might seem that leaving a buffer strip between crop fields doesn’t have a direct effect on the crops. However, research has shown that the wildlife and vegetation of these buffer strips can migrate to the fields. According to an outdated belief...

How to mitigate the impact of climate change on the natural environment? Climate change in the natural environment is mainly manifested in extreme changes in air temperature and precipitation: changing weather conditions, such as floods, high temperatures, and droughts, are changing current ecosystems permanently. More adaptable species will survive (for example, the jackal will arrive in Estonia)...

It is easier to keep the ants away from houses and gardens than to get rid of an already established wood ant hill Ants that roam the garden can be a great scourge: their hills grow bigger every year, they sneak into buildings, and no plants will grow in a flower bed when the ants roam there. Wood ants definitely belong in the forest and, if possible, you should avoid letting them gain a foothold...

Natural genetic diversity is protected either in situ (in nature, in the species’ natural habitat) or ex situ (outside its natural habitat, under farm conditions) Genetic diversity is protected both as natural diversity and as agricultural genetic diversity or other genetic diversity necessary for humans (crops, pets, medicinal plants, etc.). Natural genetic diversity is protected either in situ...