The abbreviation VEP can be explained in several ways.
Above all, it is an abbreviation of the word key habitat, but for the sake of being able to remember it better, the term can also be formulated as a very special place in the forest. The key habitat adds its value to nature conservation, often it is forest plots of very high ecological value, remnants of a complete natural landscape.
Characteristic features of a key habitat are:
- There is a native or rare forest community (low human impact, naturally developed forest, etc.) in the area
- There are biological features (groups, trees of different ages, abundant deadwood, old or hollow trees, etc.) and landscape features (different water-affected areas, steep slopes, burnt woodland, etc.) indicating particular habitat conditions
- There are species characteristics of special living conditions (species that require special conditions for growing, which are not often present in managed forests).
If there are parts of the forest with the above-listed characteristics in your forest, it may be VEP.
Key habitats can only be determined by certified specialists, who are guided by the developed methodology.
Protection of key habitats in private forests
Protection of a key habitat is voluntary in a forest owned by a private owner.
A private forest owner can conclude a notarised contract with the state for the protection of a key habitat, on the basis of which the immovable is encumbered with a personal right of use in favour of the state for the term of 20 years. The owner is paid for this the amount of the value of the growing forest proportionally as annual payments over a period of 20 years.
The agreement prohibits the removal of deadwood from the forest, drainage of forests, construction of forest roads, reforestation, camping, making of a fire and cutting forest in a key habitat, except for extraordinary cutting with the consent of the Environmental Board.
The conclusion of contracts is regulated by § 23 of the Forest Act and Regulation No. 27 of the Minister of the Environment of 4 January 2007.
Protection of key habitats in state forest
Key habitats located in the state forest are protected by a directive of the Minister of the Environment.
The inventory of key habitats in state forests is carried out by the forest managers of the State Forest Management Centre (RMK), who have a corresponding licence.
Parts of the forest where the probability of the occurrence of VEP is higher, on the basis of the available inventory data, are examined.
If you have additional questions or you would like to conclude a contract, you can contact the office of the Environmental Board or a senior forest management specialist at the location of the key habitat.
Key habitats on map layers
- In order to determine whether there is a key habitat in your forest, the best assistant is the public forest register.
- Choose a tag "Layers" in the left column, and sub-menu "Nature conservation", turn on the "Key habitats" under it.
- After that, the key habitats of Estonia are visible on the map in light brown colour.
Last updated: 11.02.2025
