The IUCN identifies and maps the world’s major environmental conservation challenges and develops measures to address or mitigate them The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is an international organisation established in 1948 to promote nature conservation and the ecologically sustainable use of natural resources. The union brings together national governments, non-governmental...

Mapping and assessment of the base levels of condition and services Countrywide mapping and assessment of the of the condition and services of the main natural and semi-natural terrestrial ecosystems was initiated at the end of 2018 and completed in 2020 in the course of the national MAES project ELME [1]. The consortium consisted of scientists (University of Tartu, Estonian University of Life...

Socioeconomic mapping and assessment of terrestrial ecosystems Countrywide mapping and assessment of the of the condition and services of the main natural and semi-natural terrestrial ecosystems was initiated at the end of 2018 and completed in 2020 in the course of the national MAES project ELME [1]. This first stage is also called ELME1. In 2021–2023 further methodological refinement and updates...

The preliminary methodology for MAES of marine and inland water ecosystems was worked out during the project “Development of methods for assessment and mapping of ecosystem services of marine and inland waters” that was conducted in 2014–2015 in Estonia and was co-funded by the EEA and Norway Grants. In the framework of the Estonian maritime spatial planning process, different ecosystem-services...

The preliminary methodology for MAES of marine and inland water ecosystems was worked out during the project “Development of methods for assessment and mapping of ecosystem services of marine and inland waters” that was conducted in 2014–2015 in Estonia and was co-funded by the EEA and Norway Grants. LIFE IP CleanEst (2019–2028) is developing and implementing the preliminary methodology of 2014...

Implementation, integration into decision-making In 2018, a preliminary spatial and juridical analysis of Estonian green infrastructure as it has been implemented so far in the county-wide spatial plans and comprehensive plans according to the Planning Act, was conducted in the course of the project ELME. The step-by-step guidelines for planners for enhancing green network and taking into account...

Indigenous domesticated animals or native breeds have evolved in a partnership between man and nature. Compared to purposefully developed production breeds, there is a large intrapopulation diversity in the conformation of native breeds. It is important to ensure that native breeds retain the traits that people have once valued as well as to uphold the practice of consuming their produce. The...

The Kihnu native sheep is a local landrace breed. Initially, the Kihnu native was a pan-Estonian breed that could be found everywhere in the country. However, by the beginning of the 21st century, the breed had only survived on Kihnu Island Descendent of the mouflon sheep, The Kihnu native sheep belongs to the group of Northern European short-tailed sheep who have been located in Northern Europe...

Main national activites regarding countrywide mapping and assessment of ecosystem services are described here. Last modified: 06.02.2023

In Estonia, mires currently cover about 6% and peatlands (former mires) cover about another 16% of the land area Types of mires: Minerotrophic fen is the first stage of mire development. In a minerotrophic fen, the peat layer is thin and the plants get their nutrients from groundwater. Minerotrophic fen vegetation is generally species-rich and lush, as the plants reach the groundwater. Today, most...