Strasbourg, 25 October 2001                                                           T-PVS/Emerald (2001) 15

[T-pvs Emerald 15e]                                                                                                                                        English only

CONVENTION ON THE conservation of EUROPEAN wildlife

and natural habitats

Group of Experts for the setting up

of the Emerald Network of Areas of Special Conservation Interest

---ooOoo---

Emerald Network Pilot Project in Estonia

- Report -

Document established by

Are Kaasik, Mart Külvik, Kadri Möller and Kristiina Liimand

Ministry of the Environment, Estonia

Contents

1. Background............................................................................................................................ 3

2. Framework of the pilot project............................................................................................. 3

3. Establishing national team..................................................................................................... 3

4. Technical workshop in Käsmu (16-17 November 2000)....................................................... 4

5. List of Natura 2000 and Emerald species in Estonia............................................................ 5

6. Comparative list of habitat types of Emerald and Natura habitats in Estonia.................... 8

7. Site designation categories in Estonia................................................................................. 10

8. NUTS in Estonia................................................................................................................... 11

9. Pilot project’s conclusions and suggestions......................................................................... 15

1. Background

Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural habitats, adopted in 1979, is focused on conservation of wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats, especially those species and habitats whose conservation requires the co-operation of several countries. Article 4 of the Convention is the key article, obliging all contracting parties to protect the habitats of wild flora and fauna species, especially those listed in Appendices I and II.

On the bases of the Convention’s Standing Committee Recommendation No. 16 (1998) and Resolution No. 3 (1996) it was possible to start setting up of the Emerald Network – a network of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) for Europe.

      In April 2000, Council of Europe invited Estonia to start Emerald Network pilot project.

Estonia is a member state of the Council of Europe and applicant country for EU membership. Estonia has signed and ratified the European Agreement and is currently associated members of the EU and applicant for full membership. Therefore, in Estonian context the development of national nature conservation policies and protected areas networks are closely related with accession to the EU that requires approximation of national nature conservation legislation with relevant EU regulations, particularly with the Habitat Directive (92/43/ECE) and the Bird Directive (79/409/ECE) as the main EU regulations in this field, and establishment of Natura 2000 network.

Also, Estonia has ratified the Bern Convention, but so far no Emerald sites have been identified nor designated. It is also questionable whether it is reasonable for Estonia to develop two completely coherent networks - the Emerald network and the Natura 2000 network. Formally, for the EU member states, the requirements of the Bern Convention Emerald network will be fully satisfied by establishment of the Natura 2000 network. It is also obvious that, as Estonia is not yet members of the EU and the directives are not yet binding for the country, the provisional work done for designation of the Emerald network, in the framework of the current pilot project, would assist to comply with EU requirements, i.e. the establishment of Natura 2000 network.

2. Framework of the pilot project

The activities leading to creation of the pilot database had to comprise the following activities:

1.   set up a national team of experts related to the development of the Emerald Network. This team should comprise technical, administrative and scientific persons;

2.   organise a workshop, during which the above-mentioned team will be initiated to the Emerald principles and technicalities by the staff and the expert of the Council of Europe. In this work the Emerald Network software will be installed and explained together with instructions concerning this scientific background of the data collection;

3.   evaluate the results on presence of species and habitats within each biogeographical region in the country;

4.   construct a pilot database on real sites, which will eventually become Emerald sites using the Emerald software.

Within the project the proposal for the designation of the first selected sites, representing a fair proportion of the final designation should be made, by depositing a standard Data Form in English to the Secretariat.

3. Establishing of the national team

In the project framework the initial coordinator Ms. Sirje Lillemets has been nominated. She has started up the project and organized the technical workshop in Käsmu in November 2000. In parallel the team in Environmental Protection Institute, Estonian Agricultural University, has carried through the practical exercises in establishing an EMERALD database. The team consisted of the following members:

Are Kaasik       database expert

Anneli Palo            vegetation and plant expert

Ülle Kukk        botanical expert

Jaan Luig               invertebrates expert

Jaak Tambets         fish expert

Riinu Rannap         amphibians and reptiles expert

Uudo Timm           mammals expert

Mart Külvik           team coordinator

Kadri Möller          contact person of the Ministry of the Environment

GIS know-how has been given by “Regio Ltd.”

4. Technical workshop in Käsmu (16-17 November 2000)

4.1. Background

As a part of the pilot project in setting/designating Emerald Network of Areas of Special Conservation Interest of the Bern Convention, a technical workshop was organised in Käsmu (Lahemaa National Park) on 16-17 November 2000.

The main aims of the workshop were:

–    discuss national nature conservation priorities;

–    reach better understanding of the EMERALD process;

–    discuss ongoing and future activities;

–    indicate problems and difficulties;

–    compare the requirements of EMERALD and Natura 2000 networks;

–    discuss technical details (e.g. data standards, country specific tables, software problems, transfer of CORINE Biotopes data to EMERALD, as well as EMERALD data to Natura 2000 software etc.

4.2. Participants

Katia Skripnichenko    Council of Europe

Marc Roekaerts                  Council of Europe, consultant

Kadri Möller                Estonian Ministry of the Environment

Sirje Lillemets              Estonian Ministry of the Environment

Mart Külvik                 Environmental Protection Institute

Are Kaasik                   Environmental Protection Institute

Anneli Palo                        Environmental Protection Institute

Uudo Timm                 Estonian Environment Information Centre

Lauri Klein                  Estonian Environment Information Centre

Piret Kiristaja               Estonian Environment Information Centre

4.3. Conclusions

National nature conservation priorities

Designation of Emerald sites (obligation coming from the Bern Convention) can be used for initial selection of Natura 2000 sites (precondition for the EU accession).

Criteria for designation of the Emerald and Natura 2000 networks

The criteria for designation of the Emerald and Natura 2000 networks, as well as the used software, are similar but not the same. The main differences include: site type categories, and habitat information. The habitat types and codes, listed in Annex I of the Habitat Directive and used for designation of Natura 2000 sites, are not compatible and easily comparable with the habitat classification for Emerald sites (Resolution No 4 – 1996).

Emerald software can be used for initial assessment of potential Natura 2000 sites. For habitat information it is reasonable to use Excel or Access format.

Data sets – NUTS-codes

Contact with the National Statistical Office should be established in order to see how far the NUTS process has gone.

By now the new administrative territorial structure is officially adopted by Estonian Government (State Herald /RT I 2001, 36, 208). For detailed information see paragraph “NUTS (Nomenclature universelle des territoires statistiques) in Estonia”.

Data sets – National designation categories

The existing national designation categories and codings in the software are not adequate for Estonia. At the workshop a new list of national designation categories was prepared. For detailed information see paragraph “Designation Categories in Estonia”.

Emerald Software

In Estonia the Emerald software was successfully installed in several PC-s, but several bugs were discovered in using the software. There were no substantial problems in semi-automatic transfer of CORINE data to Emerald.

An option, to change the existing choice-list of habitats in Emerald software with this one used for Natura 2000 sites, was discussed, but it seems more reasonable to use an extra database for habitat information. There are no substantial differences concerning the species information (species’ lists and codes) for Emerald or Natura 2000 sites. The species’ list in Emerald software (Resolution No 6 – 1998) includes the species listed in Bird Directive and Annex II of the Habitat Directive. Therefore, concerning the species’ information, the Emerald software can be used straightforward for the further requirements of the Natura 2000 network.

5. List of Natura 2000 and Emerald species in Estonia

PLANTS

SPEC_NUM

SPECNAME

SPECNAME

IN ESTONIAN

HABITAT DIRECTIVE ANNEX II

RESOL 6

PROTECTION STATUS IN ESTONIA[1]

ESTONIAN RED BOOK[2]

1939

Agrimonia pilosa

karvane maarjalepp

*

*

1617

Angelica palustris

emaputk

*

*

4

1419

Botrychium simplex

liht-võtmehein

*

*

0

1386

Buxbaumia viridis

roheline hiidkupar

*

*

II

5

1951

Cinna latifolia

laialehine nestik

*

*

II

3

1902

Cypripedium calceolus

kaunis kuldking

*

*

II

4

1954

Dianthus arenarius ssp arenarius

nõmmnelk

*

*

1383

Dichelyma capillaceum

juus-kiilsirbik

*

*

1

1393

Drepanocladus vernicosus

läikiv kurdsirbik

*

*

1982

Encalypta mutica

könttanukas

*

*

3

1758

Ligularia sibirica

harilik kobarpea

*

*

I

2

1903

Liparis loeselii

soohiilakas

*

*

II

3

1389

Meesia longiseta

harjakas tahuksammal

*

*

5

1962

Moehringia lateriflora

ida-võsalill

*

*

II

1

1833

Najas flexilis

nõtke näkirohi

*

*

I

1

1477

Pulsatilla patens

palu-karukell

*

*

III

4

Rhinanthus osilensis

saaremaa robirohi

+?

II

3

Saussuera alpina ssp. Esthonica

eesti soojumikas

+?

II

4

1528

Saxifraga hirculus

kollane kivirik

*

*

II

2

1493

Sisymbrium supinum

madal unilook

*

*

4

1437

Thesium ebracteatum

püst-linalehik

*

*

2

1988

Tortella rigens

jäik keerdsammal

*

*

3

INVERTEBRATES

SPEC_NUM

SPECNAME

SPECNAME IN ESTONIAN

HABITAT DIRECTIVE ANNEX II

RESOL 6

PROTECTION STATUS IN ESTONIA

ESTONIAN RED BOOK

1920

Boros schneideri

-

*

*

5

1086

Cucujus cinnaberinus

väike-punalamesklane

*

*

1

1081

Dytiscus latissimus

laiujur

*

*

1065

Euphydryas aurinia

teelehe-mosaiikliblikas

*

*

3

1082

Graphoderus bilineatus

-

*

*

3

1052

Euphydryas maturna

suur-mosaiikliblikas

*

1042

Leucorrhinia pectoralis

suur rabakiil

*

*

1060

Lycaena dispar

suur-kuldtiib

*

*

2

1029

Margaritifera margaritifera

ebapärlikarp

*

*

I

1

1037

Ophiogomphus cecilia

rohe-vesihobu

*

*

1084

Osmoderma eremita

eremiitpõrnikas

*

*

1

1924

Oxyporus mannerheimii

-

*

*

1032

Unio crassus

paksuseinaline jõekarp

*

*

4

1014

Vertigo angustior

vasakkeermene pisitigu

*

*

4

1015

Vertigo genesii

väike pisitigu

*

*

4

1013

Vertigo geyerii

-

*

*

5

FISHES

SPEC_NUM

SPECNAME

SPECNAME                      IN ESTONIAN

HABITAT DIRECTIVE ANNEX *

RESOLUTION 6

PROTECTION STATUS                  IN ESTONIA

ESTONIAN     RED BOOK

1101

Acipenser sturio

atlandi tuur

*

*

II

0

1103

Alosa fallax

vinträim

*

*

1130

Aspius aspius

tõugjas

*

*

III

5

1149

Cobitis taenia

hink

*

*

5

1163

Cottus gobio

võldas

*

*

4

1099

Lampetra fluviatilis

jõesilm

*

*

1096

Lampetra planeri

ojasilm

-?

*

4

1145

Misgurnus fossilis

vingerjas

*

*

5

1095

Petromyzon marinus

merisutt

*

*

1106

Salmo salar (magevees)

lõhi

*

*

1

AMPHIBIANS

SPEC_NUM

SPECNAME

SPECNAME                      IN ESTONIAN

HABITAT DIRECTIVE ANNEX *

RESOLUTION 6

PROTECTION STATUS                  IN ESTONIA

ESTONIAN     RED BOOK

1197

Pelobates fuscus

 mudakonn

*

*

II

4

1166

Triturus cristatus

 harivesilik

*

*

II

3

MAMMALS

SPEC_NUM

SPECNAME

SPECNAME                      IN ESTONIAN

HABITAT DIRECTIVE ANNEX *

RESOLUTION 6

PROTECTION STATUS                  IN ESTONIA

ESTONIAN     RED BOOK

1352

Canis lupus

 hunt

-?

*

1337

Castor fiber

 kobras

-?

*

1912

Gulo gulo

 ahm

*

*

III

1364

Halichoerus grypus

 hallhüljes

*

*

II

4

1355

Lutra lutra

 saarmas

*

*

III

4

1361

Lynx lynx

 ilves

-?

*

1356

Mustela lutreola

 euroopa naarits

*

*

I

1

1318

Myotis dasycneme

 tiigilendlane

*

*

II

3

1938

Phoca hispida bottnica

 viigerhüljes

*

*

II

2

1351

Phocaena phocaena

 pringel

*

*

III

1910

Pteromys volans

 lendorav

*

*

I

2

1354

Ursus arctos

 karu

-?

*

BIRDS

SPEC_NUM

SPECNAME

SPECNAME                      IN ESTONIAN

BIRDS DIRECTIVE ANNEX I

RESOLUTION 6

PROTECTION STATUS                  IN ESTONIA

ESTONIAN     RED BOOK

A085

Accipiter gentilis

kanakull

*

III

A086

Accipiter nisus

raudkull

*

III

A223

Aegolius funereus

 karvasjalg-kakk

*

*

III

4

A229

Alcedo atthis

 jäälind

*

*

II

3

A041

Anser albifrons

laukhani

*

A042

Anser erythropus

 väike-laukhani

*

*

II

A255

Anthus campestris

 nõmmekiur

*

*

II

3

A091

Aquila chrysaetos

 kaljukotkas

*

*

I

3

A090

Aquila clanga

 suur-konnakotkas

*

*

II

5

A089

Aquila pomarina

 väike-konnakotkas

*

*

II

3

A222

Asio flammeus

 sooräts

*

*

III

3

A104

Bonasa bonasia

 laanepüü

*

*

A021

Botaurus stellaris

 hüüp

*

*

II

A045

Branta leucopsis

 valgepõsk-lagle

*

*

III

A215

Bubo bubo

 kassikakk

*

*

II

3

A149

Calidris alpina schinzii (E)

balti risla

*?

II

2

A224

Caprimulgus europaeus

 öösorr

*

*

III

A198

Chlidonias leocopetrus

valgetiib-viires

*

III

A197

Chlidonias niger

 mustviires

*

*

III

A031

Ciconia ciconia

 valge-toonekurg

*

*

II

A030

Ciconia nigra

 must-toonekurg

*

*

I

2

A080

Circaetus gallicus

 madukotkas

*

*

I

1

A081

Circus aeruginosus

 roo-loorkull

*

*

III

A082

Circus cyaneus

 välja-loorkull

*

*

II

3

A084

Circus pygargus

 soo-loorkull

*

*

II

3

A231

Coracias garrulus

 siniraag

*

*

II

1

A122

Crex crex

 rukkirääk

*

*

II

4

A037

Cygnus columbianus bewickii

 väikeluik

*

*

II

A038

Cygnus cygnus

 laululuik

*

*

II

A239

Dendrocopos leucotos

 valgeselg-kirjurähn

*

*

II

3

A237

Dendrocopos major

suur-kirjurähn

*

III

A236

Dryocopus martius

 musträhn

*

*

III

A379

Emberiza hortulana

 pōldtsiitsitaja

*

*

III

A098

Falco columbarius

 väikepistrik

*

*

II

2

A103

Falco peregrinus

 rabapistrik

*

*

I

1

A097

Falco vespertinus

punajalg-pistrik

*

III

5

A320

Ficedula parva

 väike-kärbsenäpp

*

*

III

A154

Gallinago media

 rohunepp

*

*

II

1

A002

Gavia arctica

 järvekaur

*

*

II

1

A001

Gavia stellata

 punakurk-kaur

*

*

III

0

A217

Glaucidium passerinum

 värbkakk

*

*

III

A127

Grus grus

 sookurg

*

*

II

A075

Haliaeetus albicilla

 merikotkas

*

*

I

3

A338

Lanius collurio

 punaselg-ōgija

*

*

III

A177

Larus minutus (E)

väikekajakas

*

III

A157

Limosa lapponica

  vöötsaba-vigle

*

*

III

A246

Lullula arborea

 nōmmelōoke

*

*

III

4

A272

Luscinia svecica

 sinirind

*

*

II

3

A068

Mergus albellus

 väikekoskel

*

*

III

A094

Pandion haliaetus

 kalakotkas

*

*

I

3

A112

Perdix perdix

nurmkana

*

A072

Pernis apivorus

 herilaseviu

*

*

III

A170

Phalaropus lobatus

 veetallaja

*

*

III

5

A151

Philomachus pugnax

 tutkas

*

*

III

2

A241

Picoides tridactylus

 kolmvarvas-rähn

*

*

II

3

A234

Picus canus

 hallpea-rähn

*

*

III

A140

Pluvialis apricaria

 rüüt

*

*

III

A007

Podiceps auritus

 sarvikpütt

*

*

II

4

A506

Polysticta stelleri  (E)

kirjuhahk

*

III

A120

Porzana parva

 väikehuik

*

*

II

5

A119

Porzana porzana

 täpikhuik

*

*

II

A132

Recurvirostra avosetta

 naaskelnokk

*

*

II

3

A195

Sterna albifrons

 väiketiir

*

*

III

3

A190

Sterna caspia

 räusktiir

*

*

II

2

A193

Sterna hirundo

 jōgitiir

*

*

III

A194

Sterna paradisaea

 randtiir

*

*

III

A191

Sterna sandvicensis

 tutt-tiir

*

*

II

A220

Strix uralensis

 händkakk

*

*

III

A307

Sylvia nisoria

 vööt-pōōsalind

*

*

III

A409

Tetrao tetrix tetrix

 teder

*

*

III

A108

Tetrao urogallus

 metsis

*

*

II

4

A166

Tringa glareola

 mudatilder

*

*

III

6. Comparative list of habitat types of Emerald and Natura Habitats in Estonia

59 habitat types listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive and 40 habitat types listed in Appendix 1 of the Standing Committee Resolution No 4 are presented in Estonia. Their correspondence is indicated in the following table. According to this table 13 habitat types correspond exactly to each other, 24 Natura habitat types and 5 Emerald habitat types do not have any corresponding habitat types from parallel lists, others correspond partly.

As Estonian endangered habitat types correspond more to the Natura 2000 habitat types and our forest types are practically missing in the Emerald habitat list (47.4% of Estonian territory is covered by forest), we decided to use the Natura habitat list instead of Emerald one for the Emerald pilot project database compilation. Therefore the habitat information about pilot sites is given in separate Access file.

Table: Comparison of list of annex 1 habitats types of the habitats directive and list of Berne convention habitat types (Resolution no 4) in Estonia

Habitats Directive Annex I habitat type

Emerald habitat type (Res. 6)

 code

type

Pal. class.

code

type

1.

COASTAL AND HALOPHYTIC HABITATS

11.

Open sea and tidal areas

1110

Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time

11.125

11.22

11.31

! 11.22

! 11.3

Sublittoral soft    seabeds

Sea‑grass meadows

1130

Estuaries

13.2

11.2

! 13.2

Estuaries

1140

Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide

14

! 14.

MUD FLATS AND SAND FLATS

1150

* Coastal lagoons

21

! 21.

COASTAL LAGOONS

1160

Large shallow inlets and bays      

12

1170

Reefs

11.24

11.25

! 11.24

! 11.25

Sublittoral rocky seabeds and kelp forests

Sublittoral organogenic concretions

-

! 11.27

Soft sediment littoral communities

-

! 11.42

Marine spike-rush beds

12.

Sea cliffs and shingle or stony beaches

1210

Annual vegetation of drift lines

17.2

1220

Perennial vegetation of stony banks

17.3

! 17.3

Sea kale communities

1230

Vegetated sea cliffs of the Atlantic and Baltic coasts

18.21

-

13.

Atlantic and continental salt marshes and salt meadows

1310

Salicornia and other annuals colonizing mud and sand

15.1

! 15.13

Sea‑pearlwort communities

16.

Boreal Baltic archipelago, coastal and landupheaval areas

1620

Boreal Baltic islets and small islands

11.23

11.28

11.29

18.14

18.2124

19

-

1630

* Boreal Baltic coastal meadows

15.32

15.33

15.34

! 15.32

! 15.33

! 15.34

Atlantic lower schorre communities

Atlantic upper schorre communities

Atlantic brackish saltmarsh communities

1640

Boreal Baltic sandy beaches with perennial vegetation

16.1222

16.132

16.133

16.2133

-

2.

COASTAL SAND DUNES AND INLAND DUNES

21.

Sea dunes of Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic coasts

! 16.2

Dunes

2110

Embryonic shifting dunes

16.211

2120

Shifting dunes along the shoreline with Ammophila arenaria (“white dunes”)

16.212

2130

* Fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation (“grey dunes”)

16.221 – 16.227

2140

* Decalcified fixed dunes with Empetrum nigrum

16.23

2170

Dunes with Salix repens ssp. argentea (Salicion arenariae)

16.251

2180

Wooded dunes of the Atlantic, Continental and Boreal region

16.29

2190

Humid dune slacks

16.3

! 16.3

Humid dune‑slacks

23.

Inland dunes, old and decalcified

! 64.

INLAND SAND DUNES

2320

Dry sand heaths with Calluna and Empetrum nigrum

64.1 x 31.227

2330

Inland dunes with open Corynephorus and Agrostis grasslands

(64.11 or 64.12)

x 35.2

3.

FRESHWATER HABITATS

31.

Standing water

3110

Oligotrophic waters containing very few minerals of sandy plains (Littorelletalia uniflorae)

22.11 x 22.31

! 22.11

! 22.31

Lime‑deficient oligotrophic waterbodies

Euro‑Siberian perennial amphibious communities

3130

Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the Isoeto-Nanojuncetea

22.12 x (22.31 and 22.32)

-

3140

Hard oligo-mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp.

(22.12 or 22.15) x 22.44

-

3150

Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition-tüüpe vegetation

22.13 x (22.41 or 22.421)

!22.412

Frogbit rafts (partly)

3160

Natural dystrophic lakes and ponds

22.14

-

-

!22.4321

Water crowfoot communities

-

!22.44

Chandalier algae submerged carpets

32.

Running water

3260

Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitans and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation

24.4

-

4.

TEMPERATE HEATH AND SCRUB

4030

European dry heaths

31.2

! 31.2

European dry heaths

5.

SCLEROPHYLLOUS SCRUB (MATORRAL)

51.

Sub-Mediterranean and temperate scrub

5130

Juniperus communis formations on heaths or calcareous grasslands

31.88

-

6.

NATURAL AND SEMI-NATURAL GRASSLAND FORMATIONS

62.

Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies

6210

Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (* important orchid sites)

34.31 -34.34

! 34.3

Dense perennial grasslands and middle European steppes

(more general)

6270

* Fennoscandian lowland species-rich dry to mesic grasslands

35.1212

35.1223

38.22

38.241

-

6280

* Nordic alvar and precambrian calcareous flatrocks

34.1151

34.3171

34.3173

-

64.

Semi-natural tall-herb humid meadows

6410

Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae)

37.31

! 37.3

Oligotrophic humid grasslands

(more general)

6430

Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels

37.7 and 37.8

-

-

!37.2

Eutrophic humid grasslands

6450

Northern boreal alluvial meadows

65.

Mesophile grasslands

6510

Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis)

38.2

-

6530

*Fennoscandian wooded meadows

-

-

7.

RAISED BOGS AND MIRES AND FENS

71.

Sphagnum acid bogs

7110

*Active raised bogs

51.1

! 51.1

Near‑natural raised bogs

7120

Degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration

51.2

-

7140

Transition mires and quaking bogs

54.5

! 54.5

Transition mires

7150

Depressions on peat substrates of the Rhynchosporion

54.6

! 54.6       

White beak‑sedge and mud bottom communities

7160

Fennoscandian mineral-rich springs and springfens

54.11

-

72.

Calcareous fens

7210

* Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus and species of the Caricion davallianae

53.3

! 53.3

Fen‑sedge beds

7220

* Petrifying springs with tufa formations (Crotoneurion)

54.12

! 54.12     

Hard water springs

7230

Alkaline fens

54.2

! 54.2

Rich fens

8.

ROCKY HABITATS AND CAVES

82.

Rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation

8210

Calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation

62.1

-

8220

 Silicicolous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation

62.2

-

8240

* Limestone pavements

62.3

-

83.

Other rocky habitats

8310

Caves not open to the public

65

! 65.

CAVES

(more general)

9.

FORESTS

90.

Forests of boreal Europe

9010

* Western taiga

41B8

41.C3

41.D5

42.C

-

9020

* Fennoscandian hemiboreal natural old broad-leaved deciduous forests (Quercus, Tilia, Acer, Fraxinus or Ulmus) rich in epiphytes      

41.4151

41.F2

-

9050

Fennoscandian herb-rich forests with Picea abies

42.C22

42.C4

42.C3

-

9060

Coniferous forests on, or connected to, glaciofluvial eskers

-

-

9070

Fennoscandian wooded pastures

-

-

9080

Fennoscandian deciduous swamp woods

44.9112

44.915

44.A14

-

91.

Forests of Temperate Europe

9180

* Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines

41.4

! 41.4       

Mixed ravine and slope forests

91D0

* Bog woodland

44.A1 – 44.A4

! 44.A

Birch and conifer mire woods

(more general)

91E0

* Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)

44.3

44.2

44.13

! 44.3

! 44.2

! 44.1

Middle European stream ash‑alder woods

Boreo‑alpine riparian galleries

Riparian willow formations

(more general)

91F0

Riparian mixed forests of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia, along the great rivers (Ulmenion minoris)

44.4

! 44.43

South‑east European ash‑oak‑alder forests

7. Site designation categories in Estonia

TYPE

CODE

TITLE ESTONIAN

ENGLISH

FRANCE

ACT

A

EE00

Kaitsmata

Unprotected

Aucun statut de protection

Act of Protected Nature Objects (State Herald /RT 1994, 46, 773)

A

EE01

Looduskaitseala

Nature reserve

Reserve naturelle

Act of Protected Nature Objects (State Herald /RT 1994, 46, 773)

A

EE02

Rahvuspark

National park

Parc National

Act of Protected Nature Objects (State Herald /RT 1994, 46, 773)

A

EE03

Maastikukaitseala 

Landscape reserve

Parc paysagére

Act of Protected Nature Objects (State Herald /RT 1994, 46, 773)

(Looduspark)

(Nature park)

(Parc naturel)

A

EE04

Programmiala

Program site

Aire des programme

Act of Protected Nature Objects (State Herald /RT 1994, 46, 773)

A

EE05

Kaitstav looduse üksikobjekt

Protected single nature object

Objet singulier de la protection naturel

Act of Protected Nature Objects (State Herald /RT 1994, 46, 773)

A

EE06

Teised kaitsealad

Other protected areas

Autres aires protégées

Act of Protected Nature Objects (State Herald /RT 1994, 46, 773)

8. NUTS (Nomenclature universelle des territoires statistiques)

The new Estonian administrative territorial structure is harmonised with the European Union NUTS system and officially adopted by Estonian Government (State Herald /RT I 2001, 36, 208). The new classification is forwarded to the Statistical Office of the European Commission (Eurostat) but not yet confirmed by them. Therefore, still now Eurostat has asked our national statistical office (Statistical Office of Estonia) to present their data according to the previous classification.

Table: Statistical classification of Estonian administrative territorial units (NUTS)

(State Herald /RT I 2001, 36, 208)

Code

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

EE

Eesti

Eesti

EE001

Põhja-Eesti

EE00101

Harju maakond

EE00101001

Aegviidu vald

EE00101002

Anija vald

EE00101003

Harku vald

EE00101004

Jõelähtme vald

EE00101005

Keila vald

EE00101006

Kernu vald

EE00101007

Kiili vald

EE00101008

Kose vald

EE00101009

Kuusalu vald

EE00101010

Kõue vald

EE00101011

Loksa vald

EE00101012

Nissi vald

EE00101013

Padise vald

EE00101014

Raasiku vald

EE00101015

Rae vald

EE00101016

Saku vald

EE00101017

Saue vald

EE00101018

Vasalemma vald

EE00101019

Viimsi vald

EE00101020

Kehra linn

EE00101021

Keila linn

EE00101022

Loksa linn

EE00101023

Maardu linn

EE00101024

Paldiski linn

EE00101025

Saue linn

EE00101026

Tallinna linn

EE002

Kesk-Eesti

EE00201

Järva maakond

EE00201001

Albu vald

EE00201002

Ambla vald

EE00201003

Imavere vald

EE00201004

Järva-Jaani vald

EE00201005

Kabala vald

EE00201006

Kareda vald

EE00201007

Koeru vald

EE00201008

Koigi vald

EE00201009

Lehtse vald

EE00201010

Oisu vald

EE00201011

Paide vald

EE00201012

Roosna-Alliku vald

EE00201013

Türi vald

EE00201014

Väätsa vald

EE00201015

Paide linn

EE00201016

Türi linn

EE00202

Lääne-Viru maakond

EE00202001

Avanduse vald

EE00202002

Haljala vald

EE00202003

Kadrina vald

EE00202004

Laekvere vald

EE00202005

Rakke vald

EE00202006

Rakvere vald

EE00202007

Rägavere vald

EE00202008

Saksi vald

EE00202009

Sõmeru vald

EE00202010

Tamsalu vald

EE00202011

Vihula vald

EE00202012

Vinni vald

EE00202013

Viru-Nigula vald

EE00202014

Väike-Maarja vald

EE00202015

Kunda linn

EE00202016

Rakvere linn

EE00202017

Tamsalu linn

EE00202018

Tapa linn

EE00203

Rapla maakond

EE00203001

Juuru vald

EE00203002

Järvakandi vald

EE00203003

Kaiu vald

EE00203004

Kehtna vald

EE00203005

Kohila vald

EE00203006

Kohila alevi vald

EE00203007

Käru vald

EE00203008

Loodna vald

EE00203009

Märjamaa vald

EE00203010

Märjamaa alevi vald

EE00203011

Raikküla vald

EE00203012

Rapla vald

EE00203013

Vigala vald

EE00203014

Rapla linn

EE003

Kirde-Eesti

EE00301

Ida-Viru maakond

EE00301001

Alajõe vald

EE00301002

Aseri vald

EE00301003

Avinurme vald

EE00301004

Iisaku vald

EE00301005

Illuka vald

EE00301006

Jõhvi vald

EE00301007

Kohtla vald

EE00301008

Kohtla-Nõmme vald

EE00301009

Lohusuu vald

EE00301010

Lüganuse vald

EE00301011

Maidla vald

EE00301012

Mäetaguse vald

EE00301013

Sonda vald

EE00301014

Toila vald

EE00301015

Tudulinna vald

EE00301016

Vaivara vald

EE00301017

Jõhvi linn

EE00301018

Kiviõli linn

EE00301019

Kohtla-Järve linn

EE00301020

Narva linn

EE00301021

Narva-Jõesuu linn

EE00301022

Püssi linn

EE00301023

Sillamäe linn

EE004

Lääne-Eesti

EE00401

Hiiu maakond

EE00401001

Emmaste vald

EE00401002

Kõrgessaare vald

EE00401003

Käina vald

EE00401004

Pühalepa vald

EE00401005

Kärdla linn

EE00402

Lääne maakond

EE00402001

Hanila vald

EE00402002

Kullamaa vald

EE00402003

Lihula vald

EE00402004

Martna vald

EE00402005

Noarootsi vald

EE00402006

Nõva vald

EE00402007

Oru vald

EE00402008

Ridala vald

EE00402009

Risti vald

EE00402010

Taebla vald

EE00402011

Vormsi vald

EE00402012

Haapsalu linn

EE00403

Pärnu maakond

EE00403001

Are vald

EE00403002

Audru vald

EE00403003

Halinga vald

EE00403004

Häädemeeste vald

EE00403005

Kaisma vald

EE00403006

Kihnu vald

EE00403007

Koonga vald

EE00403008

Lavassaare vald

EE00403009

Paikuse vald

EE00403010

Saarde vald

EE00403011

Sauga vald

EE00403012

Surju vald

EE00403013

Tahkuranna vald

EE00403014

Tali vald

EE00403015

Tootsi vald

EE00403016

Tori vald

EE00403017

Tõstamaa vald

EE00403018

Varbla vald

EE00403019

Vändra vald

EE00403020

Vändra alevi vald

EE00403021

Kilingi-Nõmme linn

EE00403022

Pärnu linn

EE00403023

Sindi linn

EE00404

Saare maakond

EE00404001

Kaarma vald

EE00404002

Kihelkonna vald

EE00404003

Kärla vald

EE00404004

Laimjala vald

EE00404005

Leisi vald

EE00404006

Lümanda vald

EE00404007

Muhu vald

EE00404008

Mustjala vald

EE00404009

Orissaare vald

EE00404010

Pihtla vald

EE00404011

Pöide vald

EE00404012

Ruhnu vald

EE00404013

Salme vald

EE00404014

Torgu vald

EE00404015

Valjala vald

EE00404016

Kuressaare linn

EE005

Lõuna-Eesti

EE00501

Jõgeva maakond

EE00501001

Jõgeva vald

EE00501002

Kasepää vald

EE00501003

Pajusi vald

EE00501004

Pala vald

EE00501005

Palamuse vald

EE00501006

Puurmani vald

EE00501007

Põltsamaa vald

EE00501008

Saare vald

EE00501009

Tabivere vald

EE00501010

Torma vald

EE00501011

Jõgeva linn

EE00501012

Mustvee linn

EE00501013

Põltsamaa linn

EE00502

Põlva maakond

EE00502001

Ahja vald

EE00502002

Kanepi vald

EE00502003

Kõlleste vald

EE00502004

Laheda vald

EE00502005

Mikitamäe vald

EE00502006

Mooste vald

EE00502007

Orava vald

EE00502008

Põlva vald

EE00502009

Räpina vald

EE00502010

Valgjärve vald

EE00502011

Vastse-Kuuste vald

EE00502012

Veriora vald

EE00502013

Värska vald

EE00502014

Põlva linn

EE00502015

Räpina linn

EE00503

Tartu maakond

EE00503001

Alatskivi vald

EE00503002

Haaslava vald

EE00503003

Kambja vald

EE00503004

Konguta vald

EE00503005

Laeva vald

EE00503006

Luunja vald

EE00503007

Meeksi vald

EE00503008

Mäksa vald

EE00503009

Nõo vald

EE00503010

Peipsiääre vald

EE00503011

Piirissaare vald

EE00503012

Puhja vald

EE00503013

Rannu vald

EE00503014

Rõngu vald

EE00503015

Tartu vald

EE00503016

Tähtvere vald

EE00503017

Vara vald

EE00503018

Võnnu vald

EE00503019

Ülenurme vald

EE00503020

Elva linn

EE00503021

Kallaste linn

EE00503022

Tartu linn

EE00504

Valga maakond

EE00504001

Helme vald

EE00504002

Hummuli vald

EE00504003

Karula vald

EE00504004

Otepää vald

EE00504005

Palupera vald

EE00504006

Puka vald

EE00504007

Põdrala vald

EE00504008

Sangaste vald

EE00504009

Taheva vald

EE00504010

Tõlliste vald

EE00504011

Õru vald

EE00504012

Tõrva linn

EE00504013

Valga linn

EE00505

Viljandi maakond

EE00505001

Abja vald

EE00505002

Halliste vald

EE00505003

Karksi vald

EE00505004

Kolga-Jaani vald

EE00505005

Kõo vald

EE00505006

Kõpu vald

EE00505007

Olustvere vald

EE00505008

Paistu vald

EE00505009

Pärsti vald

EE00505010

Saarepeedi vald

EE00505011

Suure-Jaani vald

EE00505012

Tarvastu vald

EE00505013

Vastemõisa vald

EE00505014

Viiratsi vald

EE00505015

Mõisaküla linn

EE00505016

Suure-Jaani linn

EE00505017

Viljandi linn

EE00505018

Võhma linn

EE00506

Võru maakond

EE00506001

Antsla vald

EE00506002

Haanja vald

EE00506003

Lasva vald

EE00506004

Meremäe vald

EE00505005

Misso vald

EE00506006

Mõniste vald

EE00506007

Rõuge vald

EE00506008

Sõmerpalu vald

EE00506009

Urvaste vald

EE00506010

Varstu vald

EE00506011

Vastseliina vald

EE00506012

Võru vald

EE00506013

Võru linn

9. Pilot projects’ conclusions and suggestions

9.1. Relation to the Natura 2000 network

European Commission calls the Candidate Countries to establish the Natura 2000 network upon accession, which means that the following items should be compiled:

–    a list of Special Protection Areas (SPA),

–    a national list of proposed Sites of Community Interest (pSCI),

–    Natura 2000 database of above mentioned sites,

–    and to assure the protection of these sites within about two years.

The Emerald network is supposed to be a complementary exercise to Natura 2000 network for the European countries outside EU. However, the Emerald areas in accession countries should become incorporated into Natura 2000 network in the near future. Regarding above mentioned ideology, and the biogeographical characteristics of the “Emerald-countries” the network process could have been more successful, if the natural conditions (lists of endangered species and habitat types) of these countries have been more taken into account to whom it was directed.

Nevertheless, it has given to Estonian team a good experience, how to deal with Natura 2000 database in future and what kind of technical problems can arise (e.g. installation, export of data, other errors). During the pilot project there was a lot of discussions about site assessment, which seems to be a quite subjective matter; about possibilities to assess different life cycle of the bird species inside of same site (it is possible to insert the bird species only once); about site assessment of habitat type, which is partly in very good conditions (should the representatively be marked excellent or good or...); about possible meanings of isolation; and last not least, on guessing which will be alike the Natura 2000 software, to be compared with the Emerald software currently in use.

9.2. CORINE biotopes data transfer

Estonian CORINE Biotopes database was compiled in 1994 – 1998 (financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers and Phare) and it consists of data about 212 Estonian CORINE Biotopes sites. The data can be transformed from CORINE Biotopes Database to the EMERALD database semi-automatically, which means that most of data can be transformed automatically and manually (copy-paste method). Small problem arose because there was no possibility to use all the CORINE Biotopes data, since EMERALD database Biotopes Viewer do not display the data fields, which do not correspond totally with EMERALD data fields (habitat types, human activities, designation types) and there is no possibility to use CORINE Biotopes database at the same time (because it is used by EMERALD). But quite a lot of Biotopes data can be transformed automatically and it would be very helpful also in future, when we start the compilation of Natura 2000 database.

9.3. Emerald software

Emerald software was found as user-friendly and useful as it is supported with an exhaustive species lists and good input controls. However, there were initial problems using it regarding national version of Microsoft Windows. Also, specific errors occurred concerning export-import fails, therefore the Estonian database will be presented in the form of database fail: CNTRYEE.MDB.

In the framework of the current pilot project the Emerald software was tested as a tool for initial assessment of potential Natura 2000 sites, because the establishment of Natura 2000 network is stated as our main national nature conservation priority and precondition for accession to the EU. For site identification, site location and species’ information it (the Emerald database) can be used straightforward, while for habitat information it is reasonable to use an extra database in Excel or Access format.

9.4. Data availability

Data availability was one of the shortcomings of the pilot project. Neither special fieldwork nor inventories were carried out in the framework of the pilot project. Data was gathered ad hoc, it is scattered, often without proper geographical reference, some sites or species groups are better known as others etc. Emerald pilot project showed these problems very clearly and there is a strong need for additional inventories and monitoring in order to select potential Natura 2000 sites as well as to contribute to their management decisions. 

9.5. Implementation structure

The National Emerald Database established in the pilot project will be developed further as be an initial data-set for building up the Natura 2000 database. The Emerald software and data format are only available Natura-compatible systems available for Estonian experts so far. As far as the current Emerald policies for accession countries foresee merging the Natura and Emerald databases through accession process to EU, Estonia can not anticipate the building up a special and complete Emerald
database in the future. The database formed through the project process will be part of the Estonian Nature Information System (EELIS programme), and as well as of Nature Conservation Register. The data collected within the pilot project will have an extensive use in the process of Natura 2000 site selection and other undergoing nature conservation programmes and activities.

9.6. Data management

Data management on national level will be organised together with data management for protected areas (EELIS-database) by the Estonian Environment Information Centre of the Ministry of the Environment.

9.7. List of selected Emerald sites

The following fifteen sites have been presented as potential Emerald/Natura 2000 sites in the framework of the current pilot project. The Emerald database file (CNTRYEE.MDB) contains information on 15 protected sites. The Emerald software was used in order to insert available data and assess the sites as potential Emerald/Natura 2000 sites. Habitat information for the fifteen pilot project sites is presented in Access format (esthabit.mdb).

The file "Pilotest.zip" includes digitised site boundaries in MapInfo Format, whereas the boundaries are digitised on 1:10 000 cadastrial (raster) map in a Lambert, Estonian Conformal Conic 1992 projection ("Pohikaart m (Lambert, Euref EST 92)", 3, 33, 7, 24, 57.51755393056, 58, 59.33333333, 500000, 6375000). Separate "MapInfow..." is MapInfo projection file, which contains also projections used in Estonia (three last descriptions).

The site maps, based on Estonian Nature Conservation Information System (EELIS) and digitised on Land Cadaster Maps (1:10,000), are presented in the form of MapInfo 6.0 layer: Pilot2.rar.

Table: List of Emerald pilot project sites in Estonia

TYPE

CODE

SITE_NAME

C

EE0002400

Endla Nature Reserve

C

EE0000100

Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve

C

EE0000400

Soomaa National Park

B

EE0008400

Türisalu Landscape Reserve

B

EE0000600

Viidumäe Nature Reserve

C

EE0006600

Mustoja Landscape Reserve

C

EE0007400

Meelva Landscape Reserve

C

EE0008000

Meenikunno Landscape Reserve

C

EE0007600

Kolga lahe Landscape Reserve

B

EE0001800

Järvevälja Landscape Reserve

C

EE0001100

Vilsandi National Park

C

EE0004700

Käina-Kassari Landscape Reserve

B

EE0008300

Panga Landscape Reserve

C

EE0007500

Puhatu Nature Reserve

B

EE0000800

Ohessaare Landscape Reserve


[1]  The protection status, according to the Act on Protected Natural Objects (1994), is performed in three successive protection categories with subsequent legal restrictions.

[2]  The categories of the Estonian Red Data Book are the following:  0 – Extinct of probably extinct (Ex), 1 – Endangered (E), 2 – Vulnerable (V), 3 – Rare (R), 4 – Care demanding, 5 – Indeterminate (I).