and urban cows and urban cows

During the years 2012–2016,
COASTAL AREAS THROUGH TIME
a project called "Urbancows" or restoration and introduction
of coastal meadow in the city of Pärnu takes place in the nature
conservation area of the coastal meadow of Pärnu.
The aim is to improve the state of nature conservation area
and living conditions of protected species and to restore
the traditional maintenance of the area via herding.
Low coastal areas or coastal meadows
An additional aim is to develop a visiting infrastructure
of the nature conservation area, introduce its natural
heritage and promote environmental education.
People started using Pärnu beach as a health resort about
180 years ago and therefore the amenity value of this landscape
became important also.
by the Pärnu Bay have always been a place where local
fishermen and cattle farmers earn living.
URBAN COWS AND
NATURE PROTECTION
COASTAL MEADOWS
Cows in the city and almost at the beach? That is what the
vacationers and residents of the city have wondered.
Nowadays, the valuable wetlands have mostly been replaced
by sand beaches and artificial environments in the coastal
health resorts. It is rare that in Pärnu the high-valued
natural coastal area is preserved along with urban space.
COASTAL LAGOONS
Coastal lagoons of high
conservation value are created from
water areas separated from the sea via land
upheaval and accumulation of sediments.
The project is funded by the European Union, the Environmental Investments
Centre and partners. The project is carried out by the Environmental Board,
Pärnu City Government and Pärnu College of the University of Tartu.
COASTAL MEADOWS
AND URBAN COWS
IN PÄRNU
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: www.keskkonnaamet.ee/linnalehmad
This brochure was prepared in the framework of project URBANCOWS supported by the
EU LIFE+ program. Issued by: The Environmental Board | Text and photographs: Mati Kose |
Map: OÜ Salibar | Design: OÜ TYYP
Photo: Valdus-Peeter Vahi, 1961: Eesti Filmiarhiivi kogu
Coastal meadows are grasslands
flooded by seawater; the low-grass
vegetation thereof has been
developed by continuous herding.
www.visitparnu.com
Photo: Pärnu Muuseum
Nowadays, the coastal meadows are rare
and endangered communities.
In addition to the sand of the beach, the rest of
low-grass coast also offered vacation possibilities. Flooded coastal
meadows have been used as a common pasture for cattle for
centuries. It guaranteed maintenance of landscapes and suitable
living conditions for meadow species. The tradition of coastal
pastures of the city lasted through various times and public orders
until the beginning of restoration of independence. After the
herding was stopped the coast was completely covered with reeds
and the lagoons became sloughs that were silting up. The state of
protected species worsened progressively. Therefore, restoration
of coastal meadows and coastal lagoons of the city of Pärnu was
commenced for nature protection and recreational reasons.
Low grass of coastal meadows and open
water mirrors of lagoons preserve its value only
via continuous landscape maintenance. Traditional herding
is the most suitable way for it from the nature protection as
well as economical viewpoint. Corresponding studies confirm
that it is also safe for the bathers from the health protection
viewpoint, because no significant pollution reaches from the
meadow to the sea due to the great self-purifying capacity
of the area.
These are the only possible habitat for
several endangered plants, animals
and birds. Coastal meadows of Pärnu
are important nesting places for
birds such as lapwings, common
redshanks, black-tailed godwits,
yellow wagtails and meadow pipits.
This is where the largest population of citrine
wagtail of Estonia is located. With regard to
plants, this area is important for Baltic marsh
orchid, marsh angelica and shining meadow rue.
Several low-water lagoons or
bayous in local speech are
characteristic of the coastal meadow
of Pärnu. These are mainly created as a result
of accumulation of sand dunes and the effect of
separating sand sediments. With regard to
water vegetation, bayous of Pärnu are the
most important growth place of soft
hornwort of Estonia. Important birds
are Eurasian bitterns, water rails,
spotted crakes and garganeys. With
regard to amphibians, there are
numerous common water frogs.
›››
MAP
PÄRNU RANNANIIDU NATURE RESERVE
Sauga River
Pärnu b
Pärnu River
each
Pärnu Bay
Pärnu pier
Viewing towers
Education trail
Non-motorised
traffic route
Footpath
B ea
Border of the nature reserve
ch p
rom
ena
EDUCATION TRAIL PÄRNU CITY
e
na
p st
Si d
R an
de
Information board
BIRDS
Herring Gull
Citrine Wagtail
(Larus argentatus)
Grey Heron
(Ardea cinerea)
Yellow Wagtail
(Motacilla citreola)
Common Gull
(Larus canus)
Wood Sandpiper
(Motacilla flava flava)
Sedge Warbler
(Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)
Skylark
(Tringa glareola)
Shoveler
(Anas clypeata)
Garganey
(Alauda arvensis)
Black-headed Gull
(Larus ridibundus)
ANIMALS
Water Rail
(Anas querquedula)
Common Redshank
(Tringa totanus)
Meadow Pipit
(Rallus aquaticus)
Great Reed Warbler
(Acrocephalus arundinaceus)
(Anthus pratensis)
Mallard
(Anas platyrhynchos)
Ruff
(Gallinago gallinago)
PLANTS
Edible frog (Philomachus pugnax)
Common Snipe
AMPHIBIANS
Baltic orchid
(Rana esculenta)
Cattle
(Dactylorhiza baltica)
Shining Meadow-rue
(Thalictrum lucidum)
Early Marsh-orchid
(Dactylorhiza incarnata)
Wooly Butterbur
(Petasites spurius)