It is estimated that there are more than 40,000 species in Estonia The systematics of nature is based on the assumption that living beings form more or less different units – taxons. The central taxon, or the basic unit of systematics, is a species. A species is a set of organisms that are similar in some way. Members of a species are able to produce offspring with each other, but are generally...

Due to its location, Estonia is on the border of the range of many species, which is why we have more species compared to the northern, western, and eastern areas According to data from the eElurikkus portal, more than 30,000 species are known in Estonia, but it is estimated that there are more than 40,000 species. The constantly updated information about them is gathered in the single database...

In the course of Estonia’s fifth regional endangerment assessment (2017–2019), more than 13,500 species were assessed The Red List is a database that compiles assessments of the endangerment and extinction risk of species. The Red List (formerly known in Estonian as the Red Book) helps scientists and conservationists better plan species conservation activities and assess their effectiveness...

Estonian protected species are divided into three categories according to their endangerment and the strictness of their protection It is estimated that there are almost 40,000 species of biota in Estonia. So far, just over 30,000, or about 75%, have been found. The other nearly 10,000 species, or more than 25% of the biota, are undiscovered so far, although they are mostly known to science. The...

The economic damage caused by alien species in the European Union is estimated at 12 billion euros a year An alien species is a species that humans have intentionally (for ornamental purposes, for fur) or accidentally (with the bilge water of ships) removed from its normal range. The species would not have reached the new range on its own (due to changes of the climate or by currents). While in...

Estonian national species: the barn swallow, the cornflower, the wolf, the Baltic herring, and the common yellow swallowtail Many countries have symbolic national species – birds, animals, or plants – which are used as national symbols, for example on flags, coats of arms, banknotes, and stamps. Perhaps one of the most famous national species is the bald eagle of the United States. When the...

The species of the year receives more attention throughout the year Every year, natural scientists and environmentalists select new species to be introduced during the year. The animal of the year is selected (so far, only mammals have been selected), but also the bird, tree, fish, butterfly, orchid, moss, and fungus, as well as soil of the year. By being named the species of the year, the species...