Special permits are often required for activities in sensitive areas. Certain activities may be prohibited altogether The beaches and shores of water bodies and protected natural objects (national parks, nature reserves, landscape protection areas, limited-conservation areas [1] and habitats of protected species [2]) cover quite a large part of Estonia. The protection procedure of a protected...

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...

Indigenous breeds and varieties are grown less due to lower productivity and they are at risk of extinction Indigenous breeds (i.e. native breeds) and indigenous varieties are animal breeds or plant varieties created as a result of various factors, like local conditions, climate, and human breeding work. They are also called aboriginal breeds and varieties. Because they are bred and adapted for...

The North Estonian Klint is a symbol of Estonia Estonia is known for its geological sights. It could be said that the most beloved natural monuments are the North-Estonian Klint or North-Estonian limestone bank, the Taevaskoda with its Devonian sandstone cliffs, the erratic boulders, and the meteorite craters. In addition, there are other significant geological sights, such as the Silurian klint...

Most of the species that once existed on Earth are extinct The concept of extinct biodiversity includes species that have disappeared from the planet. Most of the species that at some point existed on Earth (99.9%) are extinct. Many of them have disappeared as a result of mass extinctions due to sudden global environmental changes. At the same time, the extinction of species for various...

Uplands and plateaus alternate with lowlands, depressions, and valleys The Estonian explanatory dictionary gives two definitions to the word ‘landscape’: the landscape as an area with a naturally uniform appearance, where certain landforms, vegetation units, manifestations of human activity, etc. are repeated; landscape as the nature of the appearance, colours, and shapes of a given area within...

The spiritual heritage associated with a place gives special significance to a sacred natural site Sacred natural sites are natural sites associated with folk ritual activities that can be carriers of local identity. The spiritual heritage associated with a place gives special significance and value to a sacred natural site. Although the sacred sites were created centuries ago, the values...

Everywhere in the Estonian state forest, a felling peace is in force from mid-April to mid-June Sustainable forest management means growing, using, managing, and protecting forests in such a way as to ensure biodiversity, forest productivity, regeneration and viability, and the possibility of diversified forest use that meets ecological, economic, social, and cultural needs. Biodiversity is one of...

The main framework document for Estonian hunting is the Hunting Act Hunting allows to regulate animal abundance, ensure species diversity, the viability of populations, and hunting productivity, and prevent extensive damage to forestry and other economic activities (e.g. agriculture). The main framework document for Estonian hunting is the Hunting Act, which provides for the creation and use of...

Fishing is an ancient practice: the diverse fish fauna of the world’s waters has been a valuable source of food for humans for thousands of years There are over 30,000 species of fish in the world. There are 91 fish species registered in Estonian waters, most of which are freshwater fish, semi-migratory fish (e.g. vimba, ide), or migratory fish (salmon, brown trout, eel). There are about 30...