Due to the young geological age of the Baltic Sea, no endemic animal species have emerged here The Baltic Sea mixes typical freshwater and marine conditions, so there are organisms of both marine and freshwater origin. Due to these special conditions, the number of species in the Baltic Sea is lower than in a sea with typical salinity. Many of the species here live under constant stress caused by...

Belonging to the global network of UNESCO is a great recognition for Estonia’s pure environment A biosphere reserve is an area that is internationally recognised by the UNESCO MAB (Man and Biosphere) programme. The sites are designated by national governments and each site must meet certain conditions to justify its inclusion in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Each site must include three...

The objective of the Biosafety Clearing-House is to exchange information related to biosafety The Estonian Biosafety Clearing-House is part of a larger infrastructure for exchanging biosafety-related information between all countries that have acceded to the Cartagena Protocol [1]. The infrastructure has been set up under the Cartagena Protocol and is helpful to the parties in meeting the...

Protecting biodiversity contributes to the preservation of the natural goods provided by the ecosystems that are necessary for human life Biodiversity is a common asset of all people and needs to be carefully preserved and protected to ensure our good living environment. Preserving healty and cohesive ecosystems and the sustainable use of natural resources help reduce the environmental pressure...

Biodiversity ensures the well-being of people One of the most important ideas of the Age of Enlightenment was that man stands outside nature, studies and rules it. Unfortunately, this idea is still present in Western civilization today and may also be the main cause of the modern ecological crisis. In ecological terms, man does not stand outside nature, but is critically dependent on it. The...

The berries are rich in vitamins and minerals and various bioactive compounds, while providing little energy Going berry-picking is a good reason to go to nature, breathe fresh air, and get to know the surroundings – it is a part of Estonian summers and autumns. Berry pickers keep alive a tradition of centuries, if not millennia old. The opportunity to pick vitamin-rich, useful, and tasty winter...

The purpose of the Bern Convention is to protect all species of wild flora and fauna, as well as their habitats The Bern Convention, which was concluded in Switzerland in 1979 and entered into force three years later, aims to protect all species of wild flora and fauna, as well as their habitats. Particular attention is paid to the protection of endangered species, including migratory species. The...

The diversity of our food depends largely on the existence of pollinators Pollinators are insects or other animals that, by carrying pollen from the anthers to the stigma, pollinate the plant, and thus allow the plants to bear fruit. Pollinators include bees, bumblebees, butterflies, flies, and beetles, as well as birds, rodents, and bats. It is estimated that there are more than 20,000 different...

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...