Kõrvemaa after restoration

Kõrvemaa site viewed from the sky

Kõrvemaa Landscape Protection Area

Surface area (ha): 20543

NATURA 2000 Code: EE0060119

Kõrvemaa Landscape Protection Area (KLO1000265) was formed in 1971 (first nature objects in this region were taken under protection in 1957). According to national legislation (Nature conservation act) Kõrvemaa Landscape Protection Area is protected also according to the adopted protection rules (latest version May 2004). Management plan for the area has been composed for period of 2010-2019.

Kõrvemaa Landscape Protection Area is known for its unique landscapes, beautiful nature and versatile animal and plant kingdom. During recent years, 23 different species of orchids have been found here and many rare birds come here to breed, golden eagle, lesser spotted eagle and black stork among them. The protection area was formed in order to preserve natural processes, biological diversity of wild fauna and flora (incl. conservation of semi-natural habitats).

The aim of the Kõrvemaa Natura 2000 area as a whole is to preserve the diversity of landscapes and their ecological functions. There are represented many different biotopes and habitats: landscape structures from last ice-age, alkaline fens, plains, bog woodland, flood plains, valley flat forests, petrifying springs, spring streams and lakes. Most of the area is flat country, highest point is 106 m over sea-level.

The project is focusing to concrete site from the whole conservation area. Project site where concrete conservation activities are planned is located nearby to the river Jägala and Pandivere groundwater protection area. This is called as the area of petrifying springs and the total range of concrete project site is 325 ha. In the direct project areas following habitat types with conservation concern (Habitat Directive Annex I habitats) are represented: 7140 – transition mires and quaking bogs; *7220 – petrifying springs; *91D0 – bog woodland; *9080 – Fennoscandian deciduous swamp woods; 7160 – Fennoscandian mineral-rich springs and springfens; *7110 – active raised bogs; 6450 – northern boreal alluvial meadows; 3260 – water courses of plain to montane levels; 3160 – natural dystrophic lakes and ponds; *6270 – Fennoscandian lowland species-rich dry to mesic grasslands. The following species have been determined in the project area: Graphoderus bilineatus, Cypripedium calceolus, Saussurea esthonica, Saxifraga hirculus, Liparis loeselii, Leucorrhinia pectoralis, Lycaena dispar, Cobitis taenia, Lutra lutra.

The Kõrvemaa area was chosen as one project site because of the number of petrifying spring habitats that are in bad natural condition. In total, concrete conservation actions are planned in an area of 325 ha.  In the project area following valuable habitats are represented: 7140 – transition mires and quaking bogs; *7220 – petrifying springs with tufa formation; *91D0 – bog woodland; *9080 – Fennoscandian deciduous swamp woods; 7160 – Fennoscandian mineral-rich springs and springfens; *7110 – active raised bogs; 6450 – northern boreal alluvial meadows; 3260 – water courses of plain to montane levels; 3160 – natural dystrophic lakes and ponds; *6270 – Fennoscandian lowland species-rich dry to mesic grasslands. In order to maintain the favourable conservation status of petrifying springs and their close surrounding habitats in natural landscapes, it is essential to restore and improve the hydrological regime in this project site and take actions for improving the conditions of neighbouring habitats.

The project site is important for preservation of water resources at national level as the site is located nearby to the Pandivere groundwater protection area.