The return of the ghost

Vilju Lilleleht weighs the real and unreal misdoings of the fishermen’s ghost – the Great Cormorant. He gives the overview of biological features and behavior of the species. The fate of the Great Cormorant has been rather tragic and extreme in Europe as well as in Estonia. However, after taking the species under strict nature protection, it has succeeded to extend its distribution everywhere in Europe to the extent that it is now considered the enemy of fishermen. Yet, the menu of the Cormorant doesn’t really overlap with the catch of fishermen. The main fish species in Cormorant’s menu are the eelpout, roach and burbot, roach being the only one that interests fishermen as well. Nonetheless, the author recognizes the need for some kind of management plan.

The Cormorant competes with fishermen

Redik Eschbaum convinces the reader of the negative impact of the Great Cormorant on fish and fishing, especially in the Väinameri Sea region. The author explains the reason why Cormorant threatens the fish resources: the main argument is that the Cormorant eats mostly young fish that are too small for fishermen to catch. The pike perch, a valuable species, is the best example here: while fishermen catch only 0.9 tons of pike perch, the Cormorants eat about 40 tons of young pike perch.

The tree of the year: Our everyday alder

Ülle Reier introduces the tree of the year 2004: alder – its biology, classification and timber. A table enabling to distinguish between the two native alder species – the gray alder and the black alder – is given, supplementing the detailed text and photos.

The hidden creation of glaciers

Maris Rattas and Volli Kalm take the reader thousands of years back and take a look at relief forms created by the continental ice sheet. The glaciotectonic deformations are created as a result of the glacier’s pressure on the earth. A detailed map of glaciotectonic deformations in Estonia complements the article.

Tihu landscape protection area

Uudo Timm describes a not much-known protected area in Hiiumaa Island – the Tihu landscape protection area. The area is characterized by diverse landscapes and biota. The protected area consists of four separate patches, each of which is rather unique: the Tihu zone for its lakes and Õngu zone for the habitat of rare yew trees, for example.

European rarities in Estonia: the Freshwater Pearl Mussel

Nikolai Laanetu writes about one of the most peculiar and threatened invertebrates in Estonian fauna – the freshwater pearl mussel. Although the mussel species is evolutionally very old, it has become extremely extent, inhabiting only a few rivers of West and Northern Europe. Currently there is only one habitat in Estonia: the Pudisoo River in North Estonia.

Eesti Loodus enquires

Kai Vellak speaks about bryologists’ activities in Estonia.

Peeter Ernits tells about the strategy of winning public for the TV-show “The environmental minutes of Peeter Ernits”.

Interview:

Toomas Jüriado has interviewed Peep Lassmann, the rector of Estonian Music Academy and the chairman of the Council of Estonian Ornithological Society.

Landscapes make sense

Hannes Palang and Helen Sooväli visited Australia and share their thoughts and feelings about the place of the aborigines in the modern world. While the white man considers climbing the Uluru Mountain (the Ayers Rock) a “must”, the Uluru is the most holy place for the anangu tribe – the local tribe of aborigines.

Essay

Marek Sammul writes about protection of humankind.

The frost-cracks are actually not frost cracks at all

Sulev Järve does not blame frosts for creating cracks into the barks of garden and park trees. However, most of these cracks are caused by rots within the tree. The frosts only work to extend these cracks.

Practical tips: Only very good photos from now on

Tiit Lepp gives advice about technical features that should characterize a photo suitable for the magazine “Eesti Loodus”.