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.
Nigula Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated in South-West of Estonia, in Häädemeeste and Saarde parishes of Pärnu County. It has an area of 63.98 km². Nigula nature reserve is one of the oldest bog reserves in Estonia. It is established to protect the Nigula Bog and its surrounding forests in their natural state.
Protected areas of Estonia are regulated by the Nature Conservation Act, which was passed by the Estonian parliament on April 21, 2004 and entered into force May 10, 2004. Overall Estonia has 15403 protected areas covering 21% of the country land and 18% of it marine and coastal territory, including 6 national parks: Lahemaa National Park, Karula National Park, Soomaa National Park,Vilsandi National Park, Matsalu National Park, and Alutaguse National Park
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.
Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve is the largest nature reserve in Estonia. It is a vast wilderness area which covers 342 km2 and consists of a complex of 5 large bogs separated by unregulated rivers, their floodplains, and extensive forests. The nature reserve aims to protect diverse ecosystems and rare species, mainly through preserving the natural development of forests and bogs and securing the continuing management of semi-natural floodplain grasslands.
The Burnt Lands is an alvar between Almonte and Ottawa near Upper Huntley, Ontario, Canada. It probably obtained its name from one of the forest fires that swept the area during early European settlement.
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.
Viidumäe Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated on Saaremaa in western Estonia, in Saare County.
Muraka Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated in eastern Estonia, in Ida-Viru 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.
Kõpu Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated on Hiiumaa in western Estonia, in Hiiu County.
Puhtu-Laelatu Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated in western Estonia, in Lääne County. It is located in the territory of Pivarootsi, Rame and Hanila villages and in Virtsu small borough.
Avaste Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated in western Estonia, to largest extent in Pärnu County.
Vahenurme Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated in western Estonia, in Pärnu County.
Sirtsi Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated in western Estonia, and straddles the border between Lääne-Viru and Ida-Viru County.
Puhatu Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated eastern Estonia, in Ida-Viru County.
Mihkli Nature Reserve is a nature reserve situated in Mihkli village in south-western Estonia, in Pärnu County.
The West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Estonia, located in the West Estonian archipelago in the eastern Baltic Sea. The 15,600 square kilometres (6,000 sq mi) reserve comprises the islands of Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Vormsi and Muhu, as well as numerous islets and marine parts. The islands are in the transition zone between temperate needle-leaf and broadleaf forest.
