Storms wreck the sandy coasts of Estonia

Kaarel Orviku gives an exciting insight into the changes of Estonian sandy shores. Although sandy coasts, as accumulation shores should be widening, the reality is the opposite – everywhere in the world, the sandy coasts are diminishing. The author puts the main blame on storms that, mostly due to climate changes, are heavier and more frequent than ever before. Because of frequent heavy storms, the coasts develop in constant stress conditions. And, because the seacoast is a very rapidly developing environment, it is difficult to study.

Kaarel Orviku draws numerous illustrative examples of the changes on Estonian coasts, the Harilaid peninsula case being the most exciting of these. The article is illustrated with several expressive photos and graphics.

Laws are meant to protect the coasts as well as the people.

Urve Sinijärv introduces legislation related to coasts. The main law regarding coasts is the law of coasts’ and shores’ protection, according to which the extent of shores and limitations of use are established. The main limitation is the zone, where building is prohibited. This zone extends from 10 meters to 200 meters, depending on the size and location of the water body or drainage area.

A century in Lake Ülemiste: plants tell the truth

Tiiu Trei and Tiia Trei demonstrate changes in the water quality of Lake Ülemiste, based on the changes of the macrophyte flora. During the last century, the share of macrophytes in the Lake Ülemiste ecosystem has diminished. But even more, the relation between different species has changed. Today, the most characteristic species is reed, followed by lakeshore bulrush and water knotweed. All changes indicate that Lake Ülemiste is a strongly eutrophicated lake that needs constant attention.

Ordovician cystoids are fossilized into the Vasalemma “marble”

Linda Hints takes the reader to Vasalemma, where the relicts of tropical sea organisms fossilized into the Vasalemma “marble” can be seen. The most noteworthy rock type is limestone made up of the cystoid family Hemicosmitidae. These organisms lived in warm tropical coral seas.

Eesti Loodus enquires

Õie Arusoo tells about the strategy of winning public for the TV-show “Ozone”.

Riho Västrik tells about the strategy of winning public for the TV-show “Balance”.

Bird of the year. Man’s neighbor at table: magpie

Uudo Roosimaa takes a glance at the feeding habits of magpie, the bird of the year of 2003. The magpie is often considered to be a detrimental bird, since it tends to eat eggs and young birds. In fact, however, the menu of magpie is much wider and rather interesting and it can be said that it is just as useful as it is detrimental.

Essay

Toomas Tiivel writes about independence in us and around us.

Kasti landscape protection area

Roland Müür describes a protected area designed to safeguard the coastal landscapes of Saaremaa. The Kasti landscape protection area in the southern coast of Saaremaa has rich biodiversity hidden in small bays and islets. However, if cattle would disappear, the coastal meadows would become a reedbed.

Yellow marsh saxifrage

Toomas Kukk claims the yellow marsh saxifrage to be a real Natura miracle, since most of botanists younger than 40 years have never seen it. As the name indicates, it grows in wet marsh habitats, mostly in minerotrophic transitional mires. Today, there are about ten places in Estonia where this yellow-bloomed flower can be found.

Not all water is drinking water

Margus Korsjukov considers the issue of drinking water to be the most established environmental problem of the European Union. In Estonia, the drinking water is mostly naturally polluted, as the ground water contains relatively large amounts of iron and H2S. The money needed to update and reconstruct all necessary facilities is remarkably big as well.

Everyone’s right is based on good traditions

Andres Onemar describes everyone’s right that has evolved from ancient social understanding. Today, the right is included in a number of laws, and is different in each country.

Interview:

Jaan Remmel has interviewed Villem Voore, a nature protectionist and scientist. The interview took place 25 years ago and is issued in honor of Villem Voore’s 100th birthday.

Seeking Africa, with a tent

Indrek Rohtmets visited Namibia and had the chance to see true natural wonders, such as the Etosha salt lake (the Great Bright Plain), a strange plant called Welwitschia mirabilis, the magnificent Fish River canyon, and thousands of savanna animals. South Africa is place where every youngster’s childhood dream becomes a reality.

Practical tips: let’s feed the forest birds as well!

Jaanus Järva proposes to bring winter food to forest, on the contrary to the common habit. This would help especially the small songbirds to survive to harsh winter conditions. But, as a matter of fact, we could feed the birds all year through.

There are karst forms in South-East Estonia as well

Enn Pirrus writes about karst phenomena, that so far have been associated mostly with North-Estonian limestone areas. However, there are karst forms also in South-Estonia. The author writes about two of such examples near Vastseliina.

Booted warbler, a newcomer in Estonian bird fauna

Uku Paal introduces a modest small bird – the booted warbler – that was first found in Estonia in 2002, in South-East Estonia, near Obinitsa. This bird favors fallow lands as habitats.