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Klint forest below the escarpment at Aa shore

On  May 22, the International Day of Biodiversity is celebrated, with focus on forest biodiversity.

Forests are one of the major terrestrial sources of biodiversity. Globally forests cover about 31% of the land area and about 2/3 of all terrestrial species live in forests;  more than half of the species are found in tropical rain forests. However, forests are severely threatened by human activity – over the last century more than 45% of the world’s forests have been lost, and with it many of the species living there. Sadly, this loss continues.

The aim of this year’s Biodiversity Day is to draw attention to the importance of forests in our daily life, the values of forests and their sustainable use.

Compared to most of Western Europe Estonia is a forest-rich country: nearly half of Estonia is forested. Considering forestation in Europe Estonia is in 4th place after Finland, Sweden and Slovenia. Forests have a key role in the biodiversity of Estonian nature – nearly half of the species in Estonia live in forests (Estonia has a total of about 26 600 species). Forest elements with a particularly high degree of biodiversity are for instance dead trees where up to 5000 species can be found. Nearly 500 forest species are included in the red list of endangered species.

Estonia has 11 Natura 2000 forest habitat types of all-European significance;  particularly biologically rich but highly vulnerable are old natural forests, broadleaf forests and shore klint forests. To preserve biodiversity almost 1/5 of the forests are under protection. Thus the Lahemaa national park with its forested area is one of the largest protected forest areas in Europe.

This weekend the International Day of Biodiversity can be celebrated by a visit to a protection area. Excursions are arranged that also mark the European Day of Parks, aiming to draw attention to Europe’s protected areas, and the Nature Conservation Month; the excursions are guided by specialists from the Environmental Board.