Technical tour 4

Otepää and Karula hilly areas with several protected sites and cultural features, an old forest study station

The Otepää and Karula uplands are hilly areas with complex relief generated by different glacial processes. The variable pattern of different landforms is combined with long term human activities that have shaped the picturesque mosaic landscapes. The areas are rich in lakes and small mires, forest patches located on kames and farms with small fields scattered between hills. Both areas are protected as Natura 2000 areas.

However, the landscapes have undergone major landscape changes since the end of 19^th century. Therefore, Otepää and Karula have become suitable areas to examine long-term human impacts to the natural environment. Due the hilly landscapes the slash and burn cultivation was still viable in this region 120 years ago and the features are still visible in landscape. Fens and wet forests have been used as hay meadows. Large portions of these former agricultural sites are protected as Natura 2000 habitats. During this excursion, we will visit different sites and the effects of land use on the landscapes and ecosystems will be discussed. 

The Sangaste castle, built in 1879–1881 is great example of historicistic architecture. The manor complex has a large forest park in style of the English landscape garden, and an arboretum. Sangaste is Estonia’s rye capital as here in 1875 Count Friedrich Magnus von Berg the landlord of Sangaste manor developed the Sangaste rye, a famous variety still used in Estonian agriculture.

The Soontaga forest station is located in a 200-year-old hemi-boreal pine forest, with a second layer of spruce, in Southern Estonia. The station has the instrumentation to assess the exchange of carbon dioxide (net ecosystem exchange, NEE), soil respiration, tree biomass (above- and below-ground biomass) and different environmental and meteorological parameters. You will be introduced to studies about the forest’s carbon and nitrogen budgets; in particular the role of fine-root research and data in ecosystem studies and in total carbon budgets. The bravest ones have the opportunity to climb up the eddy tower.

The excursion includes short walks; comfortable shoes and clothing appropriate for the weather are recommended.