Protected areas of Estonia

Last updated

Protected areas of Estonia are regulated by the Nature Conservation Act (Estonian : Looduskaitseseadus), which was passed by the Estonian parliament on April 21, 2004 and entered into force May 10, 2004. [1] [2] Overall Estonia has 15403 protected areas covering 21% of the country land and 18% of it marine and coastal territory, [3] including 6 national parks: Lahemaa National Park, Karula National Park, Soomaa National Park,Vilsandi National Park, Matsalu National Park, and Alutaguse National Park

Contents

Protected areas

Endla Nature Reserve Mannikjarve raba tornist.jpg
Endla Nature Reserve

As stated in §10.1: An area shall be placed under protection as a protected area or a special conservation area by a regulation of the Government of the Republic. [1] According to the law, protected areas are areas maintained in a state unaltered by human activity or used subject to special requirements where the natural environment is preserved, protected, restored, researched or introduced. [1] Thre are 3 types of protected areas; National parks, Nature conservation areas and Landscape conservation areas (nature parks).

The law declares the following 3 special protection areas, which are designated for the conservation of habitats, for the preservation of which the impact of planned activities is estimated and activities liable to damage the favourable conservation status of the habitats are prohibited: [1] Strict nature reserve (§ 29), Special management zone (§ 30) and Limited management zone (§ 31)

In the time of the Estonian SSR, there were only five protected areas categorized as zapovedniks ("scientific nature reserve"): Vilsandi, Viidumäe, Endla, Nigula and Matsalu.

National parks

Keemu bird watching tower in Matsalu National Park Matsalu Keemu bird tower.jpg
Keemu bird watching tower in Matsalu National Park

A national park is a protected area prescribed for the preservation, protection, restoration, research and introduction of the natural environment, landscapes, cultural heritage and balanced use of the environment of the protected area. The following are national parks of Estonia: [4]

  1. Lahemaa National Park, intended for the protection of the natural and cultural heritage of the coastal landscapes of Northern Estonia;
  2. Karula National Park, intended for the protection of the natural and cultural heritage of the hilly moraine landscapes of Southern Estonia;
  3. Soomaa National Park, intended for the protection of the natural and cultural heritage of the mire landscapes and floodplain landscapes of transition zone of Estonia (Estonia intermedia);
  4. Vilsandi National Park, intended for the protection of the natural and cultural heritage of the coastal landscapes of the Western Estonian archipelago;
  5. Matsalu National Park, intended for the protection of the characteristic biotic communities of Western Estonia and of the natural and cultural heritage of the Väinameri Sea region.
  6. Alutaguse National Park, the most recently founded, in 2018
  7. A national park may include strict nature reserves, special management zones and limited management zones.

Nature conservation area

A nature conservation area is a protected area prescribed for the preservation, protection, restoration, research and introduction of the natural environment. The zones possible in a nature conservation area are the strict nature reserve, special management zone and limited management zone.


Panga cliff Panga-pank.jpg
Panga cliff

Landscape protection area (nature park)

A landscape protection area is an area prescribed for the preservation, protection, restoration, research, introduction and regulation of use of landscapes of the protected area. A park, arboretum and forest stand are special types of landscape protection area. The zones possible in a landscape protection area are the special management zone and limited management zone.

Strict nature reserve

A strict nature reserve is a land or water area of a protected area whose natural status is unaffected by direct human activity and where the preservation and development of natural biotic communities is ensured only through natural processes. All types of human activity is prohibited within a strict nature reserve, and persons are prohibited from staying in such reserves, except in cases specified in subsections (3) and (4) of this section. Persons may stay in a strict nature reserve only for the purposes of supervision, rescue work or administration of the natural object. People may stay in a strict nature reserve for the purpose of monitoring and assessment of the status of the natural object only with the consent of the administrator of the protected area.

Special management zone

North-west coast of Estonia near Nova, Laane County. Seascape.jpg
North-west coast of Estonia near Nõva, Lääne County.

A special management zone is a land or water area of a protected area prescribed for the preservation of natural and semi-natural biotic communities established or to be developed therein. Mineral resources present within a special management zone are not deemed to be resources intended for exploitation. Unless otherwise provided by the protection rules, the following shall be prohibited within a special management zone:

  1. economic activities;
  2. use of natural resources;
  3. erection of new construction works;
  4. staying of persons in the habitats of protected species and staging posts of migratory birds;
  5. driving motor vehicles, off-road vehicles or floating vessels;
  6. camping, building fires and organising public events.

The prohibition established by clauses (2) 4) and 5) of this section does not extend to supervision and rescue work, activities related to the administration of the natural object, and to research carried out with the consent of the administrator of the protected area. The following may be permitted by the protection rules in the special management zone as activities necessary for the preservation of the object or activities which do not harm the object:

  1. maintenance work on existing land improvement systems and restoration of the water regime;
  2. development of biotic communities in adherence to the objective of protection;
  3. gathering of berries, fungi and other forest by-products;
  4. hunting;
  5. fishing;
  6. erection of roads, utility works or non-production construction works for servicing an immovable located within the protected area, or the protected area, and maintenance of existing construction works;
  7. activities necessary for guaranteeing the preservation of the characteristic features and species composition of semi-natural biotic communities, and activities for preservation of the living conditions of protected species;
  8. gathering reed and seaweed.


Viru raba in Lahemaa National Park Viru-raba-lahemaa-nature-park.jpg
Viru raba in Lahemaa National Park

Limited management zone

A limited management zone is a land or water area of a protected area where economic activities are permitted, taking account of the restrictions provided by this Act. Unless otherwise provided by the protection rules, the following shall be prohibited within a limited management zone:

  1. construction of new land improvement systems;
  2. altering the water levels and shorelines of bodies of water, and creation of new bodies of water,
  3. extraction of mineral resources and earth substances;
  4. design of pure stands and planting of energy forests;
  5. regeneration cutting;
  6. training of crowns of trees and bushes, and cutting of woody plants without the consent of the administrator of the protected area;
  7. use of biocides and plant protection products;
  8. erection of construction works, including temporary construction works, and altering the exterior structure of construction works located in a national park;
  9. hunting and fishing activities;
  10. driving motor vehicles, off-road vehicles or floating vessels, except for the performance of work necessary for the maintenance of line facilities, and for forestry work or agricultural work in profit yielding land;
  11. camping, building fires and organisation of public events in locations not intended for such purposes and unmarked by the administrator of the protected area;
  12. gathering of reed on unfrozen ground.

An obligation to preserve the species and age diversity within biotic communities and a prohibition on haulage and transportation of timber out of the zone if the ground is not frozen may be established by the protection rules. Restrictions different than those provided by the Forest Act may be established by the protection rules with regard to the size and form of cutting areas and the composition of a forest within a limited management zone necessary for the preservation of a biotic community or protected species within the zone.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protected areas of South Australia</span> Areas protected by legislation in South Australia

Protected areas of South Australia consists of protected areas located within South Australia and its immediate onshore waters and which are managed by South Australian Government agencies. As of March 2018, South Australia contains 359 separate protected areas declared under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, the Crown Land Management Act 2009 and the Wilderness Protection Act 1992 which have a total land area of 211,387.48 km2 (81,617.16 sq mi) or 21.5% of the state's area.

This is an index of conservation topics. It is an alphabetical index of articles relating to conservation biology and conservation of the natural environment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nature reserve</span> Protected area for flora, fauna or features of geological interest

A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, funga, or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for purposes of conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research. They may be designated by government institutions in some countries, or by private landowners, such as charities and research institutions. Nature reserves fall into different IUCN categories depending on the level of protection afforded by local laws. Normally it is more strictly protected than a nature park. Various jurisdictions may use other terminology, such as ecological protection area or private protected area in legislation and in official titles of the reserves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilderness</span> Undisturbed natural environment

Wilderness or wildlands are natural environments on Earth that have not been significantly modified by human activity, or any nonurbanized land not under extensive agricultural cultivation. The term has traditionally referred to terrestrial environments, though growing attention is being placed on marine wilderness. Recent maps of wilderness suggest it covers roughly one-quarter of Earth's terrestrial surface, but is being rapidly degraded by human activity. Even less wilderness remains in the ocean, with only 13.2% free from intense human activity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine protected area</span> Protected areas of seas, oceans, estuaries or large lakes

Marine protected areas (MPA) are protected areas of the world's seas, oceans, estuaries or in the US, the Great Lakes. These marine areas can come in many forms ranging from wildlife refuges to research facilities. MPAs restrict human activity for a conservation purpose, typically to protect natural or cultural resources. Such marine resources are protected by local, state, territorial, native, regional, national, or international authorities and differ substantially among and between nations. This variation includes different limitations on development, fishing practices, fishing seasons and catch limits, moorings and bans on removing or disrupting marine life. In some situations, MPAs also provide revenue for countries, potentially equal to the income that they would have if they were to grant companies permissions to fish. The value of MPA to mobile species is unknown.

There are four categories of protected areas in India, constituted under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Tiger reserves consist of areas under national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. There are 53 tiger reserves in India. As of January 2023, the protected areas of India cover 173,629.52 square kilometres (67,038.73 sq mi), roughly 5.28% of the total geographical area of the country.

A nature park, or sometimes natural park, is a designation for a protected natural area by means of long-term land planning, sustainable resource management and limitation of agricultural and real estate developments. These valuable landscapes are preserved in their present ecological state and promoted for ecotourism purposes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protected areas of the Czech Republic</span>

There are several types of protected areas of the Czech Republic. The main form of landscape protection is delimitation of special protected areas. All the types of protected areas are determined by law.

Matsalu National Park is a nature reserve and national park situated in the Lääne and Pärnu counties of Estonia. Matsalu National Park spans an area of 486.1 km2 (187.7 sq mi), comprising Matsalu Bay, the Kasari River delta, the village of Matsalu and surrounding areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protected areas of Poland</span>

Protected areas of Poland include the following categories, as defined by the Act on Protection of Nature of 16 April 2004, by the Polish Parliament:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protected areas of Albania</span>

Despite being a relatively small country, Albania is exceedingly rich in biodiversity. Its ecosystems and habitats support over 5,550 species of vascular and non-vascular plants and more than 15,600 species of coniferous and non-coniferous evergreens, most of which are threatened at global and European levels. The country has made recent efforts to expand its network of protected areas which now include: 11 national parks, 1 marine park, 718 nature monuments, 23 managed nature reserves, 11 protected landscapes, 4 World Heritage Sites, 4 Ramsar sites and other protected areas of various categories, that when combined, account for 21.36% of the territory. Furthermore, a biosphere reserve, 45 important plant areas and 16 important bird areas are found in the country.

Protected areas of Ukraine are special areas of Ukraine established with the goal of protecting the natural and cultural heritage of the country from excessive changes as a result of human activity. The protection of the areas is the responsibility of the government of Ukraine, specifically the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

Categories of Natural Environment Protected Areas of Ukraine were reestablished (redefined) by the Verkhovna Rada after the fall of the Soviet Union. On 16 June 1992 the President of Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk signed the law on the Nature-Preservation Fund of Ukraine. The law redefined already the established system of environment protection management for Ukraine as a fully sovereign and independent country. National Parks in Ukraine and other protected areas of Ukraine include Ramsar sites in Ukraine, biosphere reserves of Ukraine, National Nature Parks of Ukraine, Nature Reserves of Ukraine, Regional landscape parks of Ukraine, Nature monuments of Ukraine, Protected tracts of Ukraine and Habitat/Species Managed Areas of Ukraine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IUCN protected area categories</span> International classification for protected areas

IUCN protected area categories, or IUCN protected area management categories, are categories used to classify protected areas in a system developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strict nature reserve</span> Highest category of protected area recognised by the WCPA

A strict nature reserve or wilderness area is the highest category of protected area recognised by the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), a body which is part of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). These category I areas are the most stringently protected natural landscapes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Protected areas of Scotland</span> Designated area for protection in Scotland

Many parts of Scotland are protected in accordance with a number of national and international designations because of their environmental, historical or cultural value. Protected areas can be divided according to the type of resource which each seeks to protect. NatureScot has various roles in the delivery of many environmental designations in Scotland, i.e. those aimed at protecting flora and fauna, scenic qualities and geological features. Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designations that protect sites of historic and cultural importance. Some international designations, such as World Heritage Sites, can cover both categories of site.

The national parks of Quebec are provincial parks created by the government of Quebec to protect territories representative of natural regions of the province or sites of exceptional character, while making them accessible to the public for education and/or recreation. As of 2023, there are 28 such parks in Quebec, which protect an area of 42,765.57 kilometres (26,573.29 mi), or about 2.8% of the territory of the province. All but four parks are administered by the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (Sépaq). Those four are administered by Nunavik Parks. In addition, Sépaq jointly administers a National Marine Conservation Area with Parks Canada as part of the country's national park system.

Protected Forests are areas of national forest in Japan so designated in an effort to conserve biodiversity. Japan's Protected Forest system includes three categories of protected forests: Forest Biosphere Reserves; Biotic Community Protection Forests; and Rare Population Protection Forests. Some of these national forests are linked by a network of Green Corridors that are also included in the system. Established in 1915, the system was overhauled in 2015 and expanded in 2019.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Nature Conservation Act". legaltext.ee. Archived from the original on 2013-01-06. Retrieved 2007-10-02.
  2. ↑ "Looduskaitseseadus". Elektrooniline Riigi Teataja (in Estonian). Retrieved 2007-10-02.
  3. ↑ Estonia Protected Planet
  4. ↑ Estonian Nature Conservation in 2007 (PDF). Tallinn: Estonian Environment Information Centre. 2008. p. 29. ISBN   978-9985-881-56-9.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.