Diatom and microarthropod communities of three airfields in Estonia – Their differences and similarities and possible linkages to airfield properties

Even though airfields, which are often anthropologically modified natural areas, are continuously influenced by human activities, their soils are still dynamic ecosystems containing various habitats for microscopic groups of organisms which are often ignored. In this exploratory study, the microarthropod fauna, Collembola (Hexapoda) and oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida), and diatom (Bacillariophyta) flora were identified in three Estonian airfields, both runway sides and snow-melting sites were investigated. The communities of these airfields shared approximately 10–60% of the species belonging to each studied bioindicator group. The shared species were generally characteristic of a broad habitat spectrum. Communities were also characterized based on their species richness and diversity and in relation to location and the purpose of different airfield areas (e.g. snow-melting sites vs. runway sides). Also, species indicative of a specific airfield or purpose of the area within the airfield were identified using Indicator Species Analysis. Some possible linkages between airfield properties and communities,  e.g. airfield that had highest pollutant concentrations had also maintained high diversity and species richness, were noted. Despite the contamination levels the airfield soils had still maintained a functioning soil ecosystem

Ecosystem services of Tallinn city: achievements and challenges

Worldwide the process of urbanization is putting increased pressure on the ecosystems of cities. Serving as vital ecosystem service providers that benefit the ecological functioning and human well-being in cities, urban ecosystem are however highly dependent on socio-spatial developments taking place in these urban areas. The case is no different with Tallinn. Based on document analysis and activist research this article gives an interdisciplinary overview of the central ecosystem services offered by the capital of Estonia and discusses major achievements and challenges of the field of ecosystem service provision. As a result it shows that on one hand, the city’s ecological conditions are generally favorable to diverse biota and miscellaneous habitats and that numerous steps have been taken by Tallinn city, NGOs and other entities to improve ecosystem services. On the other hand, ecosystem service provision is challenged by the intense urbanization of Tallinn urban area over the last decades causing problems for the socio- spatial development – such as urban sprawl, densification, intense population growth, changed demographics and an inhibited environmental awareness (due to the estrangement from nature) – which affect not only the quantity but also the quality of Tallinn’s ecosystem services

Les services écosystémiques de la ville de Tallinn : les réussites et les défis

Dans le monde entier, le processus d’urbanisation met une pression grandissante sur l’écosystème des villes. Servant de fournisseur vital de service écosystémique qui aide au fonctionnement écologique et au bien-être humain dans les villes, les écosystèmes urbains sont cependant grandement dépendants des développements socio-spatiaux ayant lieu dans les zones urbaines. Cette situation n’est pas différente à Tallinn. S’appuyant sur des analyses de documents et les recherches d’activistes, cet article livre une vue d’ensemble des services écosystémiques centraux offerts par la capitale de l’Estonie, et discute des réussites et défis majeurs du domaine de l’approvisionnement de service écosystémique. Par conséquent, cela montre que, d’un côté, les conditions écologiques de la ville sont généralement favorables à divers biotes et habitats et que de nombreuses avancées ont été faites par la ville de Tallinn, les ONG et d’autres entités pour améliorer les services écosystémiques. De l’autre côté, le service écosystémique d’approvisionnement est perturbé par l’intense urbanisation des zones urbaines de Tallinn au cours des dix dernières années, ce qui cause des problèmes de développement socio-spatial – comme l’expansion urbaine, la densification, la croissance intense de population, des changements démographiques et le refus d’une prise de conscience concernant l’environnement (en raison de l’éloignement de la nature) – ce qui affecte non seulement la quantité mais aussi la qualité des services écosystémiques de Tallinn

Oribatid mite (Acari: Oribatida) communities of urban brownfields in Tallinn, Estonia, and their potential as bioindicators of wasteland successional stage

Vacht, Piret, Niglas, Helin, Kuu, Annely, Koff, Tiiu, Kutti, Sander, Raamets, Jane (2019): Oribatid mite (Acari: Oribatida) communities of urban brownfields in Tallinn, Estonia, and their potential as bioindicators of wasteland successional stage. Acarologia 59 (1): 26-32, DOI: 10.24349/acarologia/2019431

Diatom and microarthropod communities of three airfields in Estonia – their differences and similarities and possible linkages to airfield properties

Even though airfields, which are often anthropologically modified natural areas, are continuously influenced by human activities, their soils are still dynamic ecosystems containing various habitats for microscopic groups of organisms which are often ignored. In this exploratory study, the microarthropod fauna, Collembola (Hexapoda) and oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida), and diatom (Bacillariophyta) flora were identified in three Estonian airfields, both runway sides and snow-melting sites were investigated. The communities of these airfields shared approximately 10-60% of the species belonging to each studied bioindicator group. The shared species were generally characteristic of a broad habitat spectrum. Communities were also characterized based on their species richness and diversity and in relation to location and the purpose of different airfield areas (e.g. snow-melting sites vs. runway sides). Also, species indicative of a specific airfield or purpose of the area within the airfield were identified using Indicator Species Analysis. Some possible linkages between airfield properties and communities, e.g. airfield that had highest pollutant concentrations had also maintained high diversity and species richness, were noted. Despite the contamination levels the airfield soils had still maintained a functioning soil ecosystem

Du glint baltique au lac Peïpous

De la taille de l’ancienne région française Midi-Pyrénées, l’Estonie, petit pays mystérieux aux confins nord-est de l’Europe, est une inconnue au regard de ses voisins scandinaves, russes ou baltes, et ce malgré son appartenance depuis deux décennies à l’Union Européenne. Pourtant elle mérite mieux que cette relative ignorance. Le peuple Este, malgré des périodes de domination étrangère dont la dernière, soviétique, marque encore profondément les esprits, a su tracer sa propre voie, loin des circuits touristiques traditionnels. Sa très faible densité de population lui a permis de préserver coutumes ancestrales et espaces naturels et l’environnement estonien se targue d’abriter l’un des plus grands lacs d’Europe (le lac Peïpous), des curiosités géomorphologiques remarquables (cratère météoritique de Saaremaa, Glint Baltique) ou encore une langue exceptionnellement préservée, différente de toutes les racines européennes. C’est par le prisme environnemental que nous vous proposons de découvrir ou redécouvrir cet Etat particulier où natures et cultures s’imbriquent harmonieusement, offrant aux géographes un large éventail de milieux et donc d’objets géographiques à étudier. Estonia, a small mysterious country located on the north-eastern borders of Europe, as large as the former French region named Midi-Pyrénées, is a stranger to its Scandinavian, Russian or Baltic neighbours even though it has been a member of the European Union for two decades. And yet, it deserves better than this relative ignorance. Despite periods of foreign domination, the last one of which was a Soviet one, the Estonian people still makes a deep impression and has been able to chart its own course far from the traditional sightseeing tours. Its very low population density has allowed it to preserve ancestral customs and natural spaces. The Estonian environment prides itself of having one of the largest lakes in Europe (Lake Peipus), remarkable geomorphic curiosities (meteorite crater of Saaremaa, Baltic Glint) and an exceptionally well-preserved language, different from all European roots. We invite you, through the environmental prism, to discover or rediscover this special state where natures and cultures interlock in harmony, offering geographers a wide range of environments and therefore geographic subjects to study