Frontpage » Departments & activities » Nature conservation
National Parks – the Greatest Pearls of Estonian Nature
The richness of Estonian nature owes to our favourable geographical location and the preservation of terrain untouched or barely disturbed by human activity. We consider it important to protect our nature and have acted accordingly – 2010 signalled the passing of one hundred years since the establishment of our first protected area. Today, designated protected areas cover 18 per cent of Estonian territory. Of special merit among these are the national parks, which have been established to preserve, protect, study, and introduce our nature, landscape, cultural heritage, and balanced environmental use. Estonia has five national parks: Lahemaa, Karula, Soomaa, Vilsandi and Matsalu.
Lahemaa National Park (total area 72,504 ha, of which 25,090 ha is the sea) is the largest protected area in Estonia and was established to protect eco-systems characteristic of North-Estonian forests, mires, and coasts as well as semi-natural biotic communities and cultural heritage. The Baltic Klint runs through this national park, and though it is mostly hidden from view it is highest at Muuksi (47 m). The rivers and streams descending from the klint have four waterfalls: Joaveski, Nõmmeveski, Vasaristi and Turjekeldri. Lahemaa is the richest boulder area in the entire, once frozen area of Northern Europe. Here one finds the remarkable Majakivi boulder (584 m³) and Käsmu Stone Field. As to the historical and architectural monuments, Lahemaa National Park includes captain’s village of Käsmu, Altja fishing village, the manor complexes of Palmse, Sagadi, Vihula and Kolga, the fortress hills of Muuksi and Vihula, and several stone burial sites.
Karula National Park (total area 12,300 ha) was created to preserve the typical Southern Estonian forest covered hilly terrain and lakes as well as local protected species and cultural heritage. 70% of the territory of this park is covered by forests. There are plenty of small lakes and mires between the hills covered in woods and meadows. The Kaika hillocks and the area south from Lake Ähijärv are especially stunning. This national park is also home to the rare Botrychium matricariifolium, Cypripedium calceolus (lady’s-slipper orchid), Dactylorhiza cruenta, and Dactylorhiza russowii and several other protected plants. The heraldic bird of the national park is the osprey, whose population in Estonia is one of the most viable. Karula is one of the few places in Estonia where one can still experience true country life and hear the Võro language being spoken.
Soomaa National Park (total area 39,640 ha) was created to protect large mires, flooded meadows, and floodplain forests. As an area of large mires, Soomaa National Park also comprises five bogs: Kuresoo, Kikepera, Öördi, Riisi, and Valgeraba. A considerable share of forests stuck between the bogs is affected by deluges several times every year. Soomaa National Park is especially proud of its floodplain forests with hops. The forests and bogs are also home to all large native carnivorous animals. The extremely rare flying squirrel inhabits old floodplain forests in the park. More than 160 bird species have been observed in the national park. The flooding rivers have shaped a lifestyle unique to Soomaa. To this day, traditions of carving dugouts of aspen trees have survived. Since 2009, Soomaa National Park has also been a part of the international PAN Parks tourism network.
Matsalu National Park (total area 48,610 ha, of which 28,480 ha is covered with water) was founded to protect the internationally important migrating, nesting, feeding, and moulting places for birds of Matsalu Bay, reed thickets, and the Väinameri area, which includes plenty of little islands. Furthermore, this park also protects endangered and semi-natural communities: the floodplain meadows of the lower course of the River Kasari and the marshes overgrown with reeds in the estuarine area thereof as well as coastal and wooded meadows typical of the area. Matsalu Wetland is one of the most important bird areas in Europe with a total of 275 registered bird species, of which permanent nesting birds number 162. In spring, more than 2 million waterfowl and coastal birds fly over Matsalu. The Matsalu Wetland is also very rich in plants, with 772 vascular plant species.
Vilsandi National Park (total area 23,760 ha) protects the Western Estonian coastal terrain and the sea, small islands rich in bird species, local flora, seabirds, and the habitats of Baltic Sea seals. The sea forms the majority of the park area. Vilsandi is, first and foremost, known as a bird sanctuary with 247 recorded bird species, from which 114 birds nest here in spring. Lots of seals, who come to give birth on the nearby islands, live in the waters of the protected area. The national park is a territory with old and valuable marine traditions. Vilsandi National Park is the oldest nature protection area in the Baltic States. In 1906, a supervisor of Vilsandi lighthouse, Artur Toom, began protecting birds in the six small islands of Vaika, and in 1910, a protected area was established in these islands. This year also marks the birth of Estonian nature protection and the 100th anniversary of Estonian nature conservation celebrates.
All Estonian national parks are open to visitors who can enjoy their biodiversity. Visit www.eelis.ee or www.keskkonnainfo.ee or the information points in the centres of national parks to get more information on Estonian national parks. Visits to national parks are administered by the State Forest Management Centre, and relevant information is also available on their website www.rmk.ee.
In addition to the five national parks, there are also 131 ecological reserves, 148 landscape protection areas and nature parks, 118 protected areas with non-renewed protection rules, 544 protected parks and forest stands, 343 special conservation areas, 1,038 species protection sites, and 1,203 protected natural objects in Estonia. The total area of protected land in Estonia is 782,000 ha and the protected waters cover over 738,000 ha. |
