PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Restoration of habitats of endangered species in Silma Nature Reserve (LIFE2003NAT/EE/000181)

Project code: LIFE2003NAT/EE/000181

Duration: 01.11.2003-31.10.2006

Project budget: 10,9 million EEK (71,6% from the budget finances EU, 17,6% as co-financing comes from Estonian Ministry of Environment, 7,9% as applicant’s share of the project from Silma Nature Reserve and 5,9% from project partners).

Three areas under the rule of Silma Nature Reserve Administration make together Silma LIFE-Nature project area: Silma Nature Reserve, Vormsi Landscape Reserve and Osmussaare Landscape Reserve. There areas differ a bit from each other by the goals of protection, but all of them have four similar important points: these three areas have many natural and semi-natural coastal habitats that are very valuable in the scale of Europe; these areas are on the migration route of endangered bird species; these three areas are a part of Natura 2000 network and are proposed to be potential areas of Ramsar conventsion;

the preservation of semi-natural habitats have been endangered because of decrease of agricultural use (hay making, grazing) during last 10-20 years.

These three protected areas make a unitary project area with seven most representative regions: middle part of Osmussaar with extensive meadows, three meadow areas on Silma Nature Reserve (Kudani, Kulani and meadows surround Tahu and Saunja bay) and three areas on Vormsi (Diby, Hosby and Rumpo). On these areas three following very important habitats in the scale of Europe are spread: coastal lagoons, coastal meadows and nordic alvars. These areas are very important among the others for three species: Bufo calamita, Anser erythropus and Crex crex. For these habitats and species this project have been written.