Tihu Nature Reserve | |
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Location | Estonia |
Nearest city | Kärdla |
Coordinates | 58°52′16″N22°31′02″E / 58.87111°N 22.51722°E |
Area | 1,399 ha (3,460 acres) |
Tihu Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated on Hiiumaa in western Estonia, in Hiiu County.
The nature reserve encompasses two lakes, Tihu and Vanajõe, Õngu mire, and an area of old-growth forest. The lakes form an important habitat for sea trout; the fish spawn in fresh water. The area is also a habitat for several unusual or threatened plants and insects, such as bog orchid, coralroot orchid, large white-faced darter and lilypad whiteface. The nature reserve is also an important habitat for the endangered European mink. [1]
An alvar is a biological environment based on a limestone plain with thin or no soil and, as a result, sparse grassland vegetation. Often flooded in the spring, and affected by drought in midsummer, alvars support a distinctive group of prairie-like plants. Most alvars occur either in northern Europe or around the Great Lakes in North America. This stressed habitat supports a community of rare plants and animals, including species more commonly found on prairie grasslands. Lichen and mosses are common species. Trees and bushes are absent or severely stunted.
Hiiu County is one of 15 counties of Estonia, being the smallest county both in terms of area and population. It consists of Hiiumaa, the second largest island of Estonia, and several smaller islands near it. The county borders Lääne County to the east and Saare County to the south.
Kõverlaid is a small, moraine-based Baltic Sea island belonging to the country of Estonia. Its coordinates are 58°49′01″N23°04′46″E.
Hülgerahu is a small, uninhabited, moraine-based Baltic Sea island belonging to the country of Estonia.
Põhja-Kõrvemaa Nature Reserve is a protected area in Harju County, Northern Estonia, some 50 km east of Tallinn. With an area of 130.9 km2, it is the third largest nature reserve in Estonia. Dominated by forests and bogs, it aims to protect rare and endangered species, their habitats, and valuable natural landscapes.
Ooslamaa is a small islet in the Baltic Sea belonging to the country of Estonia.
Pihla-Kaibaldi Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated on Hiiumaa in western Estonia, in Hiiu County.
Tahkuna Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated on Hiiumaa in western Estonia, in Hiiu County.
Rubina Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in Viljandi County in southern Estonia.
Laidevahe Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated on Saaremaa in western Estonia, in Saare County.
Parika Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in Viljandi County in southern Estonia.
Silma Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated in south-western Estonia, in Lääne County.
Kõpu Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated on Hiiumaa in western Estonia, in Hiiu County.
Leigri Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated in western Estonia, on Hiiumaa island.
Raudna Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated in southern Estonia, in Viljandi County.
Keeri-Karijärve Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated in south-eastern Estonia, in Tartu County.
Kõrgessaare Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated on Hiiumaa island in western Estonia, in Hiiu County.
Paope Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated on Hiiumaa island in western Estonia, in Hiiu County.
Järvselja Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated in south-eastern Estonia, in Tartu County.
Käina Bay is almost isolated and very shallow approximately 9 km2 (3.5 sq mi) marine area between the Estonian islands Hiiumaa and Kassari, which is connected to the surrounding Väinameri and adjacent Vaemla Bay via three tiny channels - Orjaku channel, Orjaku sill and Vaemla channel. The maximum depth of Käina Bay is about 1 meter. Käina Bay is separated from the Väinameri Sea by Kassari Island, Õunaku Bay and Jausa Bay by a dyke road. There are many thickets of reeds and islets (23). In the southern part of the bay there is mineral curative mud.