How do agri-environmental measures affect the number of bumblebees? In Estonian, bumblebees (genus Bombus) are called rural bees or forest bees. These insects are an essential link for the normal functioning of the living environment and the economy, including agriculture. We look at the benefits of environmental measures, which should, among other things, help save pollinators. Bumblebees belong...

Trade in wild animal and plant species poses a major threat to the survival of the species CITES regulates international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora. The purpose of the convention is to protect species that are endangered because of trade from extinction. CITES was signed in Washington in 1973 and entered into force two years later. Estonia acceded to the convention in 1992...

Citizen science is the contribution of volunteer citizens to science by carrying out observations, helping to compile databases, or engaging in other assisting activities. Although the lion’s share of citizen science today takes place in the field of natural sciences, the help of amateur scientists is also used in one way or another in medical research, linguistics, anthropology, etc. The Estonian...

Moderate felling increases the diversity of open field community species in the short term In the case of clearcutting, a large part of the tree layer is removed and a clearcut area is formed. A clearcut area is a temporary habitat with very different living conditions (such as microclimate and the moisture and nutrient regime of soil) than in the forest. Changes in living conditions are...