The night of ancient lights held in August is a common custom on all the beaches of the Baltic Sea The word ‘meri’ (‘sea’) has been used in Estonian for ten thousand years or more. The sea separates and the sea connects – regional differences in folk culture and lifestyle have developed along the water’s edge. Coastal people have been dependent on the changing sea, which has shaped their daily...

The Estonian coast, including the cliffed coast, is a flat coast in its entirety The coast is the zone between the shore region (the bottom and land of the sea or large lake, formed mainly by waves) and the bottom and mainland of the adjacent sea or large lake (Lake Võrtsjärv, Lake Peipsi). The coast is generally divided into steep coasts and flat coasts. The Estonian coast, including the cliffed...

About a quarter of the world’s biodiversity is located in the soil Soil consists of mineral and organic parts. The organic part of the soil consists of living organisms and organic residues at different stages of decomposition. It is estimated that only 1% of soil organisms are known and described to date. About a quarter of the world’s biodiversity is located in the soil [1]. The importance of...

The North Estonian Klint has also been presented as a geological monument worthy of global attention for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List The North Estonian Klint, often referred to simply as the cliffed coast, is one of Estonia’s greatest geological values and attractions. In Swedish and Danish, klint means a coastal terrace. By North Estonian Klint, we mean primarily the terraces of...

There are 60 habitat types in Estonia that we must protect and preserve on Estonian territory The pan-European Natura 2000 network of protected areas was established on the basis of the European Union (EU) Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive. Annex I of the Habitats Directive lists the natural habitat types in need of protection. Areas that occur in different locations but have similar...

After the oceans, soil is the next largest carbon sink on our planet Soil is one of the largest reservoirs of biodiversity: it is home to an estimated quarter of the world’s biota [1]. Soil has an important role to play in regulating climate change, floods, landslides, and droughts [2]. After the oceans, soil is the next largest carbon sink on our planet: it holds 75% of the land's carbon. The...

When people disappear, the landscapes change The landscape largely reflects the type of people living in it. Therefore, in order to protect the landscape, it is necessary to understand and respect people and to protect their interests, so that the landscape can be protected accordingly [1]. Landscape protection areas make up one of the types of protected areas in Estonia. The Nature Conservation...

Valuable landscapes were defined in Estonia in the early 2000s Valuable landscapes are areas with diverse land use and vegetation, which contain elements defining local identity as well as habitats for various species of animals and plants. The value of a landscape can be cultural-historical, recreational, aesthetic, identity-related, and natural. Cultural-historical value is attributed to the...

Whether it is natural or man-made, the landscape is constantly changing The natural landscape is formed by the influence of the four main closely related components – land, water, air mass, and wildlife (plants, animals, fungi) – while often including man-made components (utility poles, roads, buildings, fields). Human intervention is essential for the survival of semi-natural communities, as...

Landscapes of memory are place-lore collected in Estonian national parks The landscape of memory brings together place-lore, stories, and legends that can be associated with a specific place on the map. Residents of the immediate area have identified themselves through that legacy for centuries and shaped the so-called us-and-them feelings, which are important for the survival and self...