The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Annotated Ramsar List: Estonia

The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

ESTONIA / ESTONIE

The Convention on Wetlands came into force for Estonia on 29 July 1994. Estonia presently has 12 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 225,960 hectares.

site; date of designation; region, province, state; surface area; coordinates
site; date de désignation; région, province, état; superficie; coordonnées
sitios; fecha de designación; región, provincia, estado; área; coordenadas

Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve. 17/06/97; Tartu, Jõgeva, & Viljandi Counties; 26,000 ha; 58º28’N 026º13’E. Nature Reserve. A large, mostly flat wilderness area with a complex of mires separated by unregulated rivers and associated floodplain meadows and surrounded by extensive forests, including swamp forest or carrs of special botanical value. The area consists of very important spawning sites for several fish species, is an important stop-over point for numerous species of migrating waterfowl, and supports a rich assemblage of mammals. It is an important area for traditional berry-picking. The site plays an important role in groundwater hydrology and maintenance of water quality. Other activities include small-scale hunting, fishing, extensive forestry, and research. Ramsar site no. 905. Most recent RIS information: [1997].

Emajõe Suursoo Mire and Piirissaar Island. 17/06/97; Tartu County; 32,600 ha; 58º23’N 027º18’E. Mire Reserve, Zoological-Botanical Reserve. A large wilderness area of various types of peatland, rivers, lakes, coasts, and islands. Vegetation consists of fens, swamps, swamp forests, peat bogs, mixed forests, reedbeds, and agricultural areas. The site is an important spawning area for various fish species. Numerous species of vulnerable waterbirds use the site for breeding, molting or staging. The site supports several amphibian, fish, plant and bird species that are vulnerable, endangered or endemic. Human activities include fishing, farming, hunting, seasonally intensive berry picking, and boating. An extremely important area for the hydrology of Lake Peipsi. Ramsar site no. 906. Most recent RIS information: 1997.

Endla Nature Reserve. 17/06/97; Jõgeva, Järva, Lääne-Viru Counties; 8,050 ha; 58º53’N 026º08’E. Nature Reserve. A freshwater ecosystem of peat bogs, swamp forests, freshwater lakes, and rivers. Vegetation includes dwarf pine shrub, reedbeds, and rare or endangered orchid species. Numerous species of vulnerable or endangered waterbirds use the area for breeding. The site is an important area for water supply, conservation education, and scientific research. Human activities include agriculture and sport fishing. Ramsar site no. 907. Most recent RIS information: 2005.

Hiiumaa Islets and Käina Bay. 17/06/97; Hiiu Country, Hiiumaa Island; 17,700 ha; 58º48’N 022º58’E. Landscape Reserve, Ornithological Reserve, Biosphere Reserve, IBA. Shallow watershelf sea with small islets, mudflats and bays. Vegetation includes coastal meadow, saltmarshes, reedbeds, juniper and Alnus glutinosa and Pinus sylvestris coppices. The site supports endangered orchid-rich communities and a unique and endangered broad-leaved forest (Quercus-Tilia-Acer community) and is an important spawning area for several fish species. Numerous species of waterbirds breed, and internationally important numbers of migrating birds stop over at the site. Human activities include tourism, environmental education, agriculture, fishing, and extensive cattle grazing. Ramsar site no. 908. Most recent RIS information: 1997.

Laidevahe Nature Reserve. 31/03/2003. Saaremaa County. 2,424 ha. 58o18'N 022o49'E. IBA, Nature Reserve, Biosphere Reserve. A mosaic wetland complex with broad diversity of lagoons, shallow coastal lakes, more than 40 islets, coastal saltmarshes, and extensive reedbeds, part of the core area of the West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve (1990). Among the wetlands occur patches of boreo-nemoral broadleaved forests, alvars and dry meadows. When water levels are low, mudflats are exposed and several islets connect with each other. The site preserves representative examples of several wetland types of the Boreal biogeographic region within one complex, and it is a refuge for many rare and endangered plant and bird species. Two migratory species - the Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis and the Dunlin Calidris alpina schinzii - are present with more than 1% of their biogeographic populations, and the site is an important foraging, spawning and nursery ground for a long list of fish. Among the main human uses are small-scale farming and forestry, livestock grazing, reed harvesting, subsistence fishing and hunting. Famous cultural monuments situated nearby are Püha Church and Valjala Castle. An Estonian traditional, but threatened, race of horses is bred nearby. Overgrowing of meadows due to a decrease in grazing and mowing rates is seen as a potential threat, as are intensification of commercial and recreational activities and privatization of land. A master "green" plan for local municipalities, including references to Laidevahe, has been adopted by the authorities, and a separate management plan for the reserve is to be drafted by June 2003. The Estonian Native Horse Conservation Society and the Society for the Protection of Seminatural Communities have initiated restoration of coastal meadows and pastures within the site. Ramsar site no. 1271. Most recent RIS information: 2003.

Matsalu Nature Reserve. 29/03/94; 48,610 ha; 58º45’N 023º40’E. A wetland consisting of Kasari delta, Matsalu Bay, coastal and alluvial flooded meadows, reedbeds, forests and the shallow Moonsund waters with islets. An important waterbird nesting and migration site for species such as Grus grus (15,000 counted one evening), Branta leucopsis, Cygnus cygnus and Anser anser (400 nesting pairs, about 5,000 migrating). The site is also important for raptors and carnivores. Rich in flora, there are 700 species of vascular plants with six species under protection, including Malus sylvestris, Prunus spinosa, Oxytropis pilosa. The Reserve is used primarily for fishing, traditional grazing, haymaking practices, and on a lower scale, for forestry and hunting. Originally designated by the former Soviet Union, 11 October 1976. Ramsar site no. 104. Most recent RIS information: 2003.

Muraka Nature Reserve. 17/06/97; Ida-Viru County; 12,400 ha; 59º08’N 027º06’E. Nature Reserve, Botanical-Zoological Reserve. The site, one of the few extensive wilderness areas surviving in northeastern Estonia, consists of an integral complex of various bog types, fens, primeval forests, peat areas, bog-pools and temporary streams. The species diversity of fauna is one of the highest for mires in Estonia. Bog communities include continental as well as maritime vegetation types. The area is one of the few places in Estonia where the Falco peregrinus is regularly seen and where Lymnocryptes minimus breeds. The site plays an important role in groundwater hydrology and maintenance of water quality. Human activities include berry-picking, hiking, and hunting. Ramsar site no. 909. Most recent RIS information: 1997.

Nigula Nature Reserve. 17/06/97; Pärnu County; 6,398 ha; 58º00’N 024º40’E. Nature Reserve, Protected Area, IBA. Extensive bog complex of various types, fringed by deciduous forest. The site includes a relict lake, many pools and hollows. Ancient bog areas (9,000 years old) consist of a peat layer up to 8 m deep. The wetlands play an important role in groundwater hydrology and maintenance of water quality in southwestern Estonia. The site supports numerous species of summering waterbirds and acts as a stopover place for fall migrating birds, regularly supporting up to 40,000 Anser albifrons and Anser fabalis. The mammals Ursus arctos, Canis lupus, Alces alces, Lutra lutra, and Lynx lynx live in marginal parts of the mire. Principal human activities include research and small tourist excursions. Area significantly extended in 2007. Part of "North Livonian" Transboundary Ramsar site, with Sookuninga (Estonia) and Northern Bogs (Latvia). Ramsar site no. 910. Most recent RIS information: 2008.

Puhto-Laelatu-Nehatu Wetland Complex. 17/06/97; Läänemaa County; 4,640 ha; 58º34’N 023º33’E. Nature Reserve, Botanical-Zoological Reserve, IBA. A wetland consisting of a chain of lagoons, and a mire with shallow lakes and bogs, bordered by species-rich alvar, wooded meadow, and forest communities. The coastal area is a stopover for internationally important numbers of migrating waterfowl and provides roosting areas for geese and common crane. Human activities include scientific research, fishing, sheep and cattle grazing, agriculture, forestry, and limited tourism. Nutrient-enrichment is problematic. Ramsar site no. 911. Most recent RIS information: 1997.

Sookuninga Nature Reserve. 03/02/06; Pärnu County; 5,869 ha; 58°00'N 024°45'E; Nature Reserve; pSCI, SPA Natura 2000;IBA. A complex of six different raised bog massifs with hummock and hollow complexes as well with numerous pools. The site supports rare, vulnerable and endangered species of birds and plants, some of them occurring in great numbers or densities. Highly endangered and strongly protected are Black Stork, Golden Eagle, Lesser-Spotted Eagle, Great-Spotted Eagle and Lagopus lagopus Willow Grouse. The site also supports populations of large mammals including Canis lupus Wolf, Lynx lynx Lynx, Ursus arctos Brown Bear and Alces alces Elk. The site plays an important role in the recharge and discharge of groundwater as well maintenance of water quality in southwest Estonia and northwest Latvia. It also has a significant cultural and historical importance for its small scale battle grounds, burials, and war routes. Due to its remote location the area is sparsely inhabited, and the main uses are tied to forestry, berry and mushroom picking, and small-scale hunting - all at comparatively low intensities. Part of the North Livonian Transboundary Ramsar site with Latvia. Ramsar site no. 1748. Most recent RIS information: 2008.

Soomaa National Park. 17/06/97; Pärnu & Viljandi Counties; 37,169 ha; 58º25’N 025º05’E. National Park. A valuable wilderness area comprised of a bog complex, fens, rivers with floodplain and wooded meadows, surrounded by extensive forests and carrs. The site is subject to annual floods over a vast area and comprises some of the best preserved large bogs in Estonia, with very high species diversity. The flood regime has given rise to anthropological peculiarities. Human activities include berry-picking, research, extensive forestry, small-scale agriculture, hunting and tourism. Numerous species of waterbirds use the area for roosting and as a stopover point during autumn migration. 36 species of mammals occur at the site. Ramsar site no. 912. Most recent RIS information: 2005.

Vilsandi National Park. 17/06/97; Saare County, Saaremaa Island; 24,100 ha; 58º23’N 021º54’E. National Park, IBA. A large wilderness area comprised of a varied coastal landscape, archipelago, and brackish and freshwater relict lakes. Predominant vegetation consists of coastal meadows and includes, reedbeds, forests, and cropland. One third of the plant species present are rare for Estonia and include numerous endangered and vulnerable plants. Internationally important numbers of 249 species of waterbirds use the site for breeding, staging and wintering. Numerous species of mammals are present. Human activities include small-scale recreation and tourism, farming, forestry, and fishing. Ramsar site no. 913. Most recent RIS information: 1997.

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 23 January 2000, updated 6 March 2008, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.