Alam-Pedja

River Emajõgi
River with flooded meadow
Flooded meadow
Transition bog

Alam-Pedja

  • Country: 
    Estonia
  • Site number: 
    905
  • Area: 
    34,220 ha
  • Designation date: 
    05-06-1997
  • Coordinates: 
    58°28'N 26°11'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

Alam-Pedja is a large flat wilderness in central Estonia. It is comprised of several mires separated by rivers, floodplain meadows and alluvial forests. Due to its flatness, the wetland is regularly flooded during rainy periods. It provides important spawning grounds for fish species such as Aral bream (Abramis brama), northern pike (Esox lucius) and Mesopotamian asp (Leuciscus aspius), and is the most important breeding Site in the Baltic states for great snipe (Gallinago media). In addition, several nationally threatened species can also be found breeding in the wetland. Until 1991 a part of the wetland was used as a bombing range, and remains the only area significantly affected by human activities. The main threats are the overgrowth of vegetation and uncontrolled leisure activities. As of 2020, two bog areas were being restored to their natural hydrological conditions. A management plan was being progressively implemented, with a visitor centre and two nature trails having opened in 2008.

Administrative region: 
Tartu,Jögeva,Viljandi Counties

  • National legal designation: 
    • nature reserve - Alam-Pedja
  • Regional (international) legal designations: 
    • EU Natura 2000
  • Last publication date: 
    13-07-2020

Downloads

Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS)

Additional reports and documents