Conservation of species is an important part of nature conservation
Species conservation is mainly based on the Nature Conservation Act. Rare and endangered species, the preservation of which is uncertain without the necessary protection, have been placed under state protection. A total of 570 species of plants, fungi and animals are under protection in Estonia. They are divided into three protected categories, the strictest of which is Category I and the least strict is Category III.
Nature conservation planning
The habitats of protected species shall be protected in protected areas, limited-conservation areas or species protection sites. In order to organise their protection, action plans for the protection of the species are drawn up, which in turn serve as the basis for the necessary species conservation work.
Categories of species conservation
- Protected category I includes species that are rare and at risk of destruction due to human activities and that occur in few and often isolated habitats.
- In total, 64 species belong to Category I, 10 of which are polypodiophyta, 19 are angiosperms, 4 are bryophytes, 9 are fungi, 1 lichen, 1 invertebrate and 20 are vertebrates.
- All known habitats of the species of the protected category I are placed under protection (as a protected area, limited-conservation area or species protection site).
- Examples of the species of the protected category I are our largest bird of prey - the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), one of the strangest mushrooms in our forests - witches cauldron (Sarcosoma globosum) and the Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans) living in the European Union only in very limited area in Estonia and in Finland.
- Protected category II includes species in very limited areas or in few habitats that may be at risk of being destroyed if the hazards continue.
- 267 species have been included in protected category II, 6 of which are polypodiophyta, 1 is gymnosperms, 119 are angiosperms, 25 are bryophytes, 27 are fungi, 32 are lichen, 6 are invertebrate and 51 are vertebrate.
- At least 50% of the known habitats of the species of the protected category II, registered in the environmental register, are placed under protection.
- Examples of the species of the protected category II are the largest grouse in Europe - western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), whose population is decreasing, a distinctive-looking fly orchid (Ophrys insectifera) that spreads mainly in Western Estonia, and the ringed seal of arctic origin (Phoca hispida), which is predominantly located in the northern part of the Baltic Sea.
- Protected category III includes species, which are still common, but their population may decline critically if the risk factors continue to exist.
- 237 species belong to the protected species of Category III, including 5 polypodiophyta, 53 angiosperms and 16 bryophytes, 10 fungi and 18 species of lichen. As to animal species, 45 invertebrates and 90 vertebrates belong to the protected category III.
- At least 10% of the known habitats of the species of the protected category III, registered in the environmental register, are placed under protection.
- Examples of the species of the protected category III are the European golden polver (Pluvalis apricaria), who builds its nests almost exclusively only in bogs, ramsons (Allium ursinum), known as a marvellous source of vitamins, and tree lungwort (Lobaria pulmonaria), which grows mostly in older forests as well as in wooded meadows and old parks.
Red list of species
The red list of species (the Red Data Book) is a framework for classifying species based on the level of risk to them.
Its aim is to provide an overview of the risks of extinction of different species in the region and the hazards that cause it.
The list is the basis for the organisation of protection of the species and for planning conservation measures, and it is intended as a tool primarily for scientists and conservationists.
The current system of categories and criteria for the red list was approved by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 1994.
Management of the data of the protected species and submission to the environmental register
The data on protected species, together with all other environmental data, are compiled in the national environmental register, which is managed by the Environment Agency. The purpose of the register is to collect all environmental data in one database, link them in time and space and give them legal meaning.
The database of the environmental register is managed in Estonian Nature Information System (EELIS).
In case of inventories of protected species, the data on the places of finding of the species have to be sent to the Environmental Board in a specific format, which greatly facilitates the transfer of data to the EELIS database.
The reports received by the Environmental Board, together with the places of finding of the species, are reviewed by the Environmental Board and sent to the Environment Agency after the work has been accepted.
What is a species protection site?
A species protection site is a protected area established to protect the habitats of the protected species. Therefore, restrictions necessary for the conservation of a particular species are applied in species protection sites in an area of optimal size.
Endangered species are also protected in protected areas and limited-conservation areas, but in addition to the species conservation objectives, there are wider goals – to protect endangered communities, to conserve, protect, restore, study or introduce nature. As a rule, the area of protected areas and limited-conservation areas is larger than that of species protection sites.
Who are species protection sites established for?
We have established species protection sites primarily for the preservation of the habitats of species of protected categories I and II.
In order to protect nesting sites of eagles, flying squirrel and black stork, species protection sites are automatically established after finding a nesting tree to the extent and pursuant to the protection regime provided for in the Nature Conservation Act. Other species protection sites are established, and their protection regime is approved by a regulation of the Minister of the Environment.
What are the compensations for landowners that come with species protection sites?
- Land tax incentive applies to a species protection site: no land tax is paid on the land of the conservation zone of a species protection site, the tax is 50% of the land tax rate in the limited management zone.
Read more about the land tax incentives in the currently valid Land Tax Act.
- In case of private forest land, located in the conservation zone of a species protection site, the compensation for compliance with nature conservation restrictions is EUR110 per hectare per year.
Compensation for complying with restrictions
More information about the compensation and the applying procedure can be found on the website of the Estonian Private Forest Centre.
read more- The state may, in agreement with the landowner, acquire immovable property the intended use of which is significantly restricted by the protection regime of the site.
Sale of the protected land to the state
More information about selling the protected land to the state can be found on the page below.
Loe veelThe purpose of the action plans for conservation of species is to plan and prioritise the activities necessary for the preservation of the protected species.
Action plans for conservation of species are prepared for:
- The species of the protected category I
- The species for the conservation of which the activities implemented so far are not sufficient to achieve a favourable condition
- The species the conservation of which is required by international agreements.
The activities necessary for achieving the conservation goals are planned for 15 years and the budget for the next 5 years.
The action plans are approved upon completion by the Committee for the Organisation and Management of Species Conservation, which consists of specialists and species experts from the Environmental Board and the Ministry of the Environment. The action plan for the conservation of species is approved by the Deputy Director General of the Environmental Board in the field of wildlife.
The Environmental Board has approved the plans since 2017, previous action plans are available on the website of the Ministry of the Environment.
Action plans for conservation of species:
One of the tasks of the Species Protection Bureau of the Environmental Board is the organisation of various work related to species conservation. In most cases, the basis for planning the necessary work is an action plan for the conservation of particular species.
Examples of species conservation work ordered by the Environmental Board include:
- Different studies
- Inventories
- Preparation of draft action plans for the conservation of species.
Work accepted by the Species Protection Bureau since 2016
2021
- Inventory of meadow gladiolus and marsh angelica in Luitemaa nature conservation area together with management recommendations.
- Preparation of an action plan for the conservation of the Arctic raspberry. The plan is expected to be approved in Q3 2021.
- Preparation of an action plan for the conservation of polypodiophyta of the protected category I. The plan is expected to be approved in Q4 2021
- Inventory of woolly buttercup in selected places of finding with recommendations for conservation.
- Inventory of Saaremaa marsh orchid and burnt orchid in selected places of finding with recommendations for conservation.
- Inventory of the habitats of alpine mouse-ear and ascending saxifrage with recommendations for conservation.
2020
- Preparation of an action plan for the conservation of the alpine mouse-ear.
- Preparation of an action plan for the conservation of the ascending saxifrage.
- Inventory of the places of finding of early-purple orchid with recommendations for conservation.
2019
- Inventory of the protected plant species in species protection sites of a beautiful lady’s slipper and mapping of the necessary maintenance work.
- Preparation of an action plan for the conservation of Laserpitium prutenicum and Peucedanum oreoselinum, together with an analysis of the distribution and condition of species and mapping of the necessary maintenance work to improve the condition of the habitats in planned species protection sites.
- Inventory of the distribution of bluntleaf sandwort together with recommendations for conservation.
- Specification of the distribution of the subspecies of Dianthus arenarius.
2018
- Inventory of the places of finding of Najas flexilis with recommendations for conservation.
- Inventory of the places of finding of spring quillwort and lake quillwort with recommendations for conservation.
- Inventory of selected dry habitat plants with recommendations for conservation.
- Inventory of selected places of finding of lesser clubmoss and expert assessment of the condition of habitats.
- Inventory of selected places of finding of the protected Botrychium and expert assessment of the condition of habitats.
- Assessment of the efficiency of maintenance of the habitats of Saaremaa yellow rattle (3rd year after maintenance).
2017
- Inventory of the pyramidal orchid and mapping of the maintenance need of its habitats.
- Expert assessment of the distribution, condition and the status of conservation of felwort.
- Inventory of habitats of Taxus baccata and expert assessment of the proposal for species protection sites.
2021
- Inventory of the spread of Seligeria patula and Metzgeria conjugata with recommendations for conservation.
2018
- Inventory of the selected places of finding of green shield-moss and expert assessment of the condition of habitats.
2017
- Inventory of protected lichen with recommendations for conservation in nine species protection sites, in one place of finding of Micarea hedlundii and in Mustoja landscape conservation area and providing an expert assessment of the feasibility of Korela species protection site, its protection regime and borders.
2021
- Inventory of potential habitats of Sarcodon fuligineoviolaceus, Hapalopilus croceus, maitake and Haploporus tuberculosus in 2019-2020
2018
- Inventory of habitats of witches cauldron and expert assessment of the condition of habitats.
2021
- Inventory of the migration stop sites of the tundra swan.
- Veterinary diagnostics of black stork and assessment of the state of health.
2019
- Study of the causes of death of the Eurasian eagle-owl and the northern goshawk.
- Checking the potential habitats of the northern goshawk on the basis of a habitat model in Ida- and Lääne-Viru counties.
- Organisation of the data on places of finding of the bird species of protected category I in the environmental register.
- Analysis of the preservation of polders.
- Updating the action plan for ortolan.
- Updating the action plan for the greater spotted eagle.
- Preparation of an action plan for the conservation of the great snipe.
- Checking the potential habitats of the northern goshawk on the basis of a habitat model in Ida- and Lääne-Viru counties.
- Study of the usage of habitat of black-tailed godwit during the nesting period and size of the home area by means of GPS trackers.
2018
- Updating the action plan for the Eurasian eagle-owl.
- Assessing the impact of dams on the nesting success and spread of black storks.
- Implementation of the action plan for conservation of the golden eagle: nutrition study
- Study of causes of death of the protected birds’ species (the golden eagles and the white-tailed eagles) who belong to protected category I.
- Monitoring the effectiveness of the targeted restoration of the habitats of western capercaillie in Soomaa research area.
- Inventory of Calidris alpina schinzii in selected habitats.
- Collecting information on eagles and black storks equipped with satellite and GSM-based transmitters and removing non-working transmitters from birds.
- Count of spring migration of the wild birds in Kabli.
- Inventory of the wild birds of Emajõgi flood-meadow in Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve.
- Input needed for updating the action plan for the conservation of osprey.
- Input needed for updating the action plan for tundra swan.
- Input needed for updating the action plan for the conservation of the golden eagle.
- Input needed for updating the action plan for the conservation of white-tailed eagle.
- Obtaining information on eagles and black storks equipped with satellite and GSM-based transmitters and removing non-working transmitters from birds.
- Analysis of bird hunting in areas with nature conservation restrictions.
- Aerial survey of seabirds in Estonian coastal waters.
- Documentation of changes in the test areas of the western capercaillie in Soomaa at photo-secure points.
- Specification of the spread of ortolan in 2017-2018.
- Specification of the spread of jack snipe in 2017-2018.
2017
- Study of the usage of habitat of black-tailed godwit during the nesting period and the size of the home area.
- Inventory of the habitats of the Eurasian eagle-owl.
- Experimental study of the targeted restoration of the habitats of western capercaillie in Soomaa research area, stage II
- Inventory of the migration stop sites and study of feeding areas of the tundra swan.
- Identifying new nesting territories for eagles and black storks and mapping the nesting sites.
- Study of the effects of black storks as umbrella species, stage II.
- Genetic studies of the greater spotted eagle
- Population survey of the golden eagle and the lesser spotted eagle.
- Study of the duration of use of the nests of the lesser spotted eagle and the reasons for abandonment of the nests and the distance to new nests.
- Obtaining information on eagles and black storks equipped with satellite transmitters and removing satellite transmitters from birds.
2016
- International midwinter count of waterbirds in Estonian waters.
2021
- A study of the habitat use of ringed seals.
- Identifying marine areas important to bats.
2019
- Renewing the action plan for the European mink.
2018
- Identifying marine areas important to bats, stage I.
- Preparation of a forest design plan for the species protection site of Pärnamäe flying squirrel.
- Implementation of the action plan for conservation of the flying squirrel in 2018.
- Preparation of GIS map layers for the use of habitat of ringed seal.
- Implementation of the action plan for conservation of bats: inventory in structured parks.
- Study of wintering and autumn flocking of bats in Astangu hibernation caves and in the surrounding area and expert opinion on placing the area under protection.
- Providing the inventory data on flying squirrel.
- Specification of the range of small bats in 2016-2017.
- Specification of the range of the northern birch mouse in 2016-2017.
2017
- Study of the need for improving the genetic diversity of the natural population of the European mink and preparation of methodology.
2016
- Implementation of the action plan for conservation of the flying squirrel in 2016.
- Implementation of the action plan for conservation of the European mink in 2016.
2021
- Updating the action plan for the conservation of the Pelobates fuscus. The plan is expected to be approved in Q4 2021
- Support to and reintroduction of reproduction of small population of natterjack toad in 2021.
2020
- Inventory of the habitats of the sand lizard.
- Inventory of natterjack toad in the planned Saku-Männiku species protection site.
- Updating the action plan for sand lizard.
2018
- Support to and reintroduction of reproduction of small population of natterjack toad with the support of Penijõe breeding centre.
2016
- Support to and reintroduction of reproduction of small population of natterjack toad in 2016.
2019
- Specification of the range of spined loach, the European bullhead and the weatherfish in 2017-2018.
2018
- Specification of the range of the brook lamprey and the European river lamprey in 2016-2017.
2020
- Inventory of the result of the hermit beetle and potential habitats.
2018
- Inventory of the habitats of the Hirudo medicinalis.
- Specification of the range of woodland beetles in the Habitats Directive 2016-2017
- Specification of the range of freshwater macroinvertebrates in the Habitats Directive 2016-2017
- Specification of the range of Xylomoia strix in 2016-2017
2017
- Inventory of hermit beetle.
2021
- Analysis of water parameters of the Pudisoo River, part 1.
2020
- Update of the action plan for the freshwater pearl mussel and creation of the water quality database of the Pudisoo River and analysis of the parameters.
2018
- Specification of the range of small snails in 2016-2017
How to get acquainted with the reports?
In order to protect the exact habitat data of the species of the protected categories I and II, the reports of the work have not been made public.
In order to examine the reports, contact the Species Protection Bureau of the Environmental Board at marju.erit@keskkonnaamet.ee. The results of the inventories of the protected species have been sent to the environmental register.
Last updated: 15.04.2024
