Exploring Lahemaa: Estonia’s enclave of bays & biodiversity

Located on the southern tip of the Gulf of Finland, Lahemaa National Park, just 70 kilometres east of Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, is a rich sanctuary of biodiversity and stunning landscapes. 

The oldest of Estonia’s national parks, Lahemaa is home to one of the largest collections of boulder formations in Europe—remnants of the last Ice Age. The park also features vast swathes of forests, ancient bogs such as the 7,000-year-old Laukasoo Reserve, and a wide variety of wildlife.

Read on as we uncover more about this ecological treasure.

Lahemaa National Park was created to safeguard and promote the natural and cultural heritage of northern Estonia. This includes ecosystems, biodiversity, landscapes, and sustainable resource use. 

The most spectacular terrain feature of Lahemaa is the clint, which separates the coastal lowlands from the limestone plains. Typically, the landscape of Lahemaa National Park has numerous large boulders and exceptionally dense piles of stones, which make it unique among other national parks.

Lahemaa is Estonia’s oldest and largest national park and belongs to the Natura 2000 network of protected habitat and bird sites. The park’s landscape is distinctive for its numerous peninsulas and bays, the most notable being Juminda, Pärispea, Käsmu, and Vergi. These areas are rich in submerged rocks and islands, with the marine environment supporting a diverse range of species. 

 Beneath Lahemaa’s coastal waters lies a rich mosaic of habitats, from rocky shores and underwater meadows to submerged rocks and islands. This diversity creates an intricate marine environment that supports a wide array of life, with sightings of ringed seals (Phoca hispida), grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and very rarely the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena).
 

The varied underwater landscapes foster both marine and brackish species due to the mix of freshwater and saline conditions. These ecosystems play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, offering spawning grounds for fish and shelter for various invertebrates. The park also serves as a vital resting and feeding area for wading and migratory birds, contributing to the region’s ecological richness. 

Coastal meadows and fields are inhabited by the red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) and Northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus). Large open areas host thousands of wading birds such as brent geese (Branta bernicla), and the national park’s riverways are also a breeding ground for the common sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos). 

Lahemaa’s vibrant marine environment is home to a variety of fish species that play integral roles in the ecosystem. The coastal waters teem with herring (Clupea harengus) and sprat (Sprattus sprattus), which form large schools that serve as vital prey for marine mammals such as grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and seabirds, including Great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) and common gulls (Larus canus). Their presence is essential for maintaining the food web and supporting the diverse wildlife that relies on these fish for sustenance.
 

In addition to the marine species, Lahemaa’s lakes and rivers host freshwater fish like perch (Perca fluviatilis) and roach (Rutilus rutilus). These species contribute to the park’s overall biodiversity and play important roles in local fishing traditions, attracting anglers and nature enthusiasts alike.
 

The rocky reefs and coastal habitats of Lahemaa are critical spawning grounds for economically and ecologically significant species such as cod (Gadus morhua) and flounder (Platichthys flesus). These habitats provide safe nurseries where juvenile fish can grow and develop, ensuring the future health and sustainability of fish populations. 

Lahemaa’s diverse fish population not only supports local ecosystems but also contributes to the region's cultural heritage, as fishing has long been a way of life for local communities. The intricate relationships among these fish species and their habitats underline the importance of preserving Lahemaa’s marine environments for future generations.

The coastal areas of Lahemaa are rich in biodiversity, hosting a diverse variety of macrophytes and invertebrates. Key seagrasses, such as eelgrass (Zostera marina) and bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus), thrive in the shallow waters. These aquatic plants play essential roles in the ecosystem by providing habitats for small fish, crustaceans, and molluscs. They are vital for stabilizing sediments, improving water quality, and providing food and shelter for various marine organisms.

Lahemaa is home to a diverse variety of invertebrates that are integral to the region's biodiversity. Among these are the Baltic glacial relict isopod (Saduria entomon), which thrives in the brackish waters. Another species is the Baltic tellin (Macoma balthica), a small bivalve that plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the marine ecosystem by filtering the water. Additionally, the sea slater (Idotea baltica), a marine isopod, is widespread throughout the region and serves as a key component in the food web, feeding on algae and detritus. 

The park’s rocky shores and tidal pools offer microhabitats where such marine invertebrates can thrive. These environments are teeming with biodiversity, providing shelter and resources for many species. The presence of these invertebrates is essential not only for supporting the marine food web but also for ensuring the overall health and resilience of the aquatic ecosystem.

Lahemaa National Park's ecosystems face several significant threats that jeopardize its future including climate change, overfishing, pollution, and the pressures of tourism. These challenges can contribute to habitat degradation and biodiversity loss, highlighting the urgent need for effective protection and conservation measures.
 

Climate change poses a serious risk, with rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns disrupting the delicate balance of the park’s ecosystems. These alterations can impact species survival and the integrity of their habitats.  Additionally, overfishing due to unsustainable practices also threatens fish populations, disrupting the marine food web and negatively affecting both aquatic and terrestrial wildlife.

Pollution from agricultural runoff, plastic waste, and industrial contaminants further endanger the water quality and overall ecosystem health. And the increasing number of visitors can also lead to habitat disturbance and waste management challenges, which places additional pressure on local wildlife and natural resources. 

The sustainability of Lahemaa National Park is guided by a variety of strategies aimed at preserving its natural beauty and biodiversity. The park’s key approach to sustainability includes efforts to balance environmental protection with tourism, alongside strengthening local community involvement in conservation activities.

Lahemaa is an important ecological area, with its vast forests, coastal ecosystems, and wildlife, all of which contribute significantly to local and regional biodiversity. To protect these areas, the park has implemented monitoring systems to track environmental conditions and adjust management practices based on changing climate patterns and human activity. These monitoring efforts are crucial for maintaining the park’s resilience to ecological threats such as climate change, pollution, and overfishing.

Public education is also a central component of sustainability strategies, helping visitors understand the importance of the park’s ecosystems and encouraging more responsible behaviours. Additionally, community engagement is pivotal, with local residents being actively involved in sustainable practices and decision-making processes, helping to preserve the cultural and natural heritage of the area. This collaboration extends beyond local efforts, as Lahemaa participates in regional initiatives for broader conservation, working alongside other protected areas in the Baltic region.

Finally, Lahemaa is committed to sustainable tourism practices, ensuring that visitor impact is minimized while promoting local, eco-friendly businesses. This includes carefully managing tourism flows, providing environmentally friendly accommodations, and reducing the overall carbon footprint associated with park visits. 

Among the species listed in this article, the following are identified in HELCOM’s Red List as they face the threat of extinction due to human activities or natural environmental variability. These species are in urgent need of special attention and protection efforts:
 

Mammals:

Ringed seal: Phoca hispida - Vulnerable

Grey seal: Halichoerus grypus – Least concern

Harbour porpoise: Phocoena Phocoena – Critically endangered/Vulnerable 

Birds:

Northern lapwing: Vanellus vanellus – Near threatened

Black goose: Branta bernicla (wintering population) – Near threatened 

Common sandpiper: Actitis hypoleucos – Near threatened
 

Fish and lampreys: 

Herring: Clupea harengus – Least concern

Cod: Gadus morhua - Vulnerable

Macrophytes:

Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) – Least concern

Invertebrates:

Baltic glacial relict isopod: Saduria entomon – Least concern