Out of protected areas with renewed protection rules, Varangu nature reserve is located in Lääne-Virumaa, Mustallika nature reserve is located in Jõgevamaa; Nõva landscape protection area and Lihula landscape protection area are within the boundaries of Läänemaa and Pärnumaa. Protection rules had to be renewed in connection with the placement of Natura sites under protection, as a result of which the former borders of protection areas were somewhat extended and the list of species, communities and habitats found in the protected areas was specified. The new Rubina nature reserve of 1923 hectares was established within the boundaries of Põdrala and Helme rural municipalities in Valgamaa and Karksi and Tarvastu rural municipalities in Viljandimaa with the purpose of protecting important species of fauna and flora as defined by Natura 2000 as well as the Rubina bog and Lake Veisjärv. In Rubina protected area there are the habitats of three protected species belonging to category I, two protected species of category II and staging posts of migratory birds. In addition to this, there are unique mire and forest landscapes. The land and water area of Rubina nature reserve is divided into two special management zones and two limited management zones. In Varangu nature reserve of 105 hectares with renewed protection rules there are rare habitats such as springs and spring fens, petrifying springs and the like. Besides this, there are sites of protected plant species belonging to category II and ten plant species of category III in this protected area, including the common spotted orchid (dactylorhiza fuchsii) and the early marsh-orchid (dactylorhiza incarnata ). Varangu nature reserve is divided into a special management zone and limited management zone. The aim of Nõva landscape protection area covering 1865 hectares is to preserve unique coastal landscapes of Northwest Estonia and safeguard local rare plant and animal species as well as natural forest communities. In this protected area, rare bird species of category I and II and various types of protected habitats can be found, including dunes, bogs, mires and virgin forests. Nõva landscape protection area is located in Nõva and Noarootsi rural municipalities. Mustallika nature reserve of 49 hectares was placed under protection in Jõgeva rural municipality in order to protect a springy fen rich in species, the forest communities surrounding it as well as valuable semi-natural biotic communities and protected species. There are also some rare types of habitat rich in species such as meadows on soil poor in lime, springs and spring fens. The entire Mustallika nature reserve is a special management zone. In Lihula landscape protection area of 6620 hectares located in Läänemaa, Lihula rural municipality and Pärnumaa, Koonga rural municipality, threatened and rare plant and animal species as well as types of habitat are under protection. In this protected area, mires, transition mires, quaking bogs, fens, western taiga and broad-leaved forests can be found, with birds such as grey shrike ( lanius excubitor), northern harrier (circus cyaneus) and European nightjar (caprimulgus europeaus). The landscape protection area is divided into a special management zone and limited management zone. A limited management zone is a land or water area within a protected area where economic activities are allowed, taking into consideration the restrictions established by the Nature Protection Act. A special management zone is a land or water area within a protected area meant for preserving the natural and semi-natural communities already established or to be established in this area. Further information: Kadri Möller Chief Specialist of the Nature Conservation Department Ministry of the Environment Phone (+372) 626 2876 Marika Erikson Specialist of the Nature Conservation Department Ministry of the Environment Phone (+372) 626 2880 Monika Kopti Press Representative, Ministry of the Environment Phone (+372) 626 2993; (+372) 521 2602 E-mail: |
