Restoring the integrity of freshwater habitats in Alam-Pedja Natura 2000 area – bringing the River Laeva back to life.

LIFE12 NAT/EE/000871 LIFE HAPPYRIVER

The Alam-Pedja Natura 2000 Area is rich in different landscape types, including different wetland ecosystems: large and small rivers, oxbow meanders, and mires with their typical water characteristics. However, the core of Alam-Pedja Natura 2000 area is complex of riverine habitats with meadows which offer good habitats for many species of European importance. It is critical to guarantee the functioning of these ecosystems in order to meet the goals set for the Alam-Pedja Natura 2000 area. The River Emajõgi is connecting the two biggest lakes of Estonia – Lake Peipsi (the fourth largest lake of Europe) and Lake Võrtsjärv. Tributaries of the Emajõgi River (Pedja, Põltsamaa Laeva, Elva and Ilmatsalu Rivers ) form an integral hydrological system. Unfortunately lower course of the Laeva River is the one important part of the ecosystem, which have been affected heavily by human activities as the water is lead away from the natural course and the running water in the natural riverbed is missing.  The habitat type 3260 could not achieve the favorable protection status in the area as long as the River Laeva remains destroyed. The project aims to restore the lower course (5 km) of the River Laeva. There are diverse and abundant fish communities in the river and its good quality tributaries. There is still a missing part in diversity of fish and other species, there is no contribution from the River Laeva. The project results in restoring populations of three EU targeted fish species in the River Laeva.

The lower course of the Laeva River from sky

Restored river section at Aiu floodplain

Lower course of River Laeva before restoration, Aiu floodplain 

Restored river section at Älevi floodplain

Lower course of River Laeva before restoration, Älevi floodplain