Restoring the Kuresoo bog, Estonia
Year of issue
2025
Summary
The restoration of the Kuresoo bog aimed to re-establish the natural water regime and typical bog vegetation in a severely drained area within Soomaa National Park, Estonia. Restoration was implemented on a pilot area of approximately 60 ha, where ditches were blocked with peat dams, brushwood and plastic piling. The area had been drained in the 1950s for peat extraction and forestry, resulting in significant degradation of the bog ecosystem.
Monitoring indicates that water levels have been successfully raised, resulting in the development of typical bog vegetation such as sparse pine cover and Sphagnum moss. These changes help reduce carbon emissions from the formerly degraded peat soil and support biodiversity conservation.
Recent sources confirm that over 1,000 dams were built across ~3,000 ha of degraded peatlands at Kuresoo as part of broader national efforts under the LIFE Mires Estonia project (2015–2021). Restoration planning employed drone-based LiDAR surveys and hydrological modelling, while fieldwork included local volunteers and national institutions. Long-term monitoring confirms a stable rise in water levels, recovery of bog vegetation, and return of protected bird species. Some initial restoration structures required corrective work to improve hydrological effectiveness.
As of 2023, the Kuresoo bog restoration is recognized as a national best practice example and has contributed significantly to Estonia’s peatland restoration targets, particularly within Natura 2000 habitats. The site continues to be managed by RMK, with ecological monitoring by the University of Tartu and ELF.
Photo Gallery
Location
58.4847, 25.1363
Project
NWRM
National ID
Estonia_02
Sector
Hydromorphology
Installation Date
2013-02
Implementation status
Completed
Contact
Sandra Oisalu, BEF Estonia
Overview
Location of the project
The Kuresoo bog is located in central-western Estonia, within Soomaa National Park, in Viljandi County. It lies in a remote, lowland forested area characterized by extensive wetlands and peatlands, forming part of one of the largest intact bog complexes in the country.
Country
Estonia
NUTS2 Code
Eesti
Sponge measures implemented in the case study
Wetland restoration and management
Peak flow control structures
Check dams
Involved partners
| Authority type | Authority name | Authority role | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other | State Forest Management Centre | Implementation | — |
| — | Universities | — | scientific reseach in the area |
| NGO | Estonian Fund for Nature | Initiation of the measure | bog restoration project in frame of which inital research about the area and restoration plan was developed |
Site Information
Climate Zone
Cool temperate moist
Temperature (°C)
5.00 °C
Elevation range
27
Slope range
0-1%
Vegetation class
Pleurozium schreberi, bog blueberry, Ledum palustre, S. angustifolium, S. magellanicum, S. fuscum, S, rubellum, pine
WFD Ecological status
Moderate
WFD Chemical status
Good
Design and Implementation
Project scale
Meso
Project scale specifications
The project covers an entire bog.
Project area
80
Area subject to Land use change or Management/Practice change (ha)
80.00 ha
Financing
Total cost
161900.00 €
Total cost information
Does not include the background studies - only construction works : construction of barrier dams and dykes and surveillance.
Application for practical work was financed by European Regional Development Fund. The background searches and restoration plan was made in frame of INTERREG IIIA programme.
Application for practical work was financed by European Regional Development Fund. The background searches and restoration plan was made in frame of INTERREG IIIA programme.
Costs operation maintenance information
No maintenance needed, one time activity
Policy and Governance
Policy description
Kuresoo bog is one of the largest and well conserved consistent bog complexes in Europe (main habitat types 7110*, 91D0*) with total area 11 000 ha. In the south-east part there is 80 ha area we forest drainage system was built in 1970s. Drained area impacts directly ca 300 ha bog area nad the drained area as been designated as 7120 area (restoration is possible). Restoration of the drained area water regime will help to reduce its impact to the main bog. Since 2009 Soomaa national park belongs to PAN Parks network and Kuresoo bog is its core area. Kuresoo bog has salso been noted as internationally important bird area (IBA - International Bird Area), internationally ipportant wetland (RAMSAR) and it is also part of Natura2000 network.
Land ownership
State-owned land
Policy targets
Improved Biodiversity
Part of a wider plan
No
Public consultation
Yes
Consultation activities
| Activity stage | Activity type | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Implementation phase | Volunteering | Local volunteers were involved in dam building and outreach activities, fostering public support and awareness of peatland values. |
Has contractual arrangements
No
Impacts and Monitoring
Monitoring System
Monitoring parameters
Hydrological monitoring - piesometric levels, ground pH and electrical conductivity, chemical copmposition of ground andand water od ditches, hydraulic conductivity of peat.
Vegetation cover(1,2,4,6 and 10th year). Topographic surveying after 10 years.
Vegetation cover(1,2,4,6 and 10th year). Topographic surveying after 10 years.
Impact Assessment Methodology
Performance impact assessment method
Catchment outlet
Performance impact estimation information
Monitoring will show if the priority habitat types (7110* and 91D0*) have improved
Biophysical impacts: Hydrology
Information on increased groundwater level
Raised water table: Restoration successfully raised and stabilized groundwater levels across the siteIn some restored zones, the water table rose by 30–50 cm during wet seasons
Information on increased landscape storage capacity
Seasonal water retention: Enhanced capacity to buffer seasonal rainfall and flooding within Soomaa's “fifth season” (spring floods).
Information on Restoring hydraulic connection
Wetland area expanded: Rewetting reconnected isolated patches into a more continuous mire system over ~3,000 ha.
Biophysical impacts: Biodiversity
Improved biodiversity
Yes
Information on improved biodiversity
Bog vegetation recovery: Recolonisation by Sphagnum mosses, sedges, and scattered Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) observed across restored plots.
Notably, golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria) and wood sandpiper (Tringa glareola), both EU-protected, have been observed breeding again at the site.
Habitat restoration: Enhanced connectivity of habitat for mire-specific fauna and flora, contributing to the favourable conservation status of EU habitat type “active raised bogs”.
Notably, golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria) and wood sandpiper (Tringa glareola), both EU-protected, have been observed breeding again at the site.
Habitat restoration: Enhanced connectivity of habitat for mire-specific fauna and flora, contributing to the favourable conservation status of EU habitat type “active raised bogs”.
Information on increased permanent biomass
Rehydration of peat: Moisture levels in the upper peat layers increased, reducing peat decomposition and oxidation.
Reduced subsidence: Restoring waterlogged conditions limited further peat shrinkage and subsidence in formerly drained sections.
Reduced subsidence: Restoring waterlogged conditions limited further peat shrinkage and subsidence in formerly drained sections.
Biophysical impacts: Water & Soil Quality
Water quality overall improvements
Not relevant for this application
Information on water quality overall
Water quality is in good status. Problems were with hydrological regime.
Biophysical impacts: Others
Ecosystem impact climate regulation
Impact on GHGs (net emissions and storage) including soil carbon
Information on ecosystem impact climate regulation
Reduction of CO2 emissions and
Information on ecosystem impact GHG soil carbon
Restoration thus contributes to carbon sequestration in the long term by restoring Sphagnum growth.
Lessons Learned
Key lessons
Kuresoo will be definitely bog restoration example area in Estonia where it will be possible to assess the impact of hydrological regime restoration to Sphagnum mossgroth and effectiveness of different damming technologies. Even though there were studies made for the area and restoration then in practice it turned out that additionally to wooden dams also peat dykes were built as wooden dams did not rise the water lever equally.
Large-scale restoration is feasible with proper planning and coordination
High-resolution planning tools improve restoration design
Restoration effectiveness varies and may require adaptive management.
Monitoring and post-project adjustments were crucial for long-term success.
Public engagement adds value.
Large-scale restoration is feasible with proper planning and coordination
High-resolution planning tools improve restoration design
Restoration effectiveness varies and may require adaptive management.
Monitoring and post-project adjustments were crucial for long-term success.
Public engagement adds value.
Success factors
| Success factor type | Success factor role | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Financing possibilities | — | — |
| Available support tools | Main factor | The use of LiDAR drone imagery and 3D hydrological modelling before implementation allowed precise identification of drainage impacts and optimal locations for ditch blocking. |
| Successful coordination between authorities | Main factor | Success was enabled by strong collaboration between state actors (RMK), NGOs (ELF), researchers (University of Tartu), and EU funding (LIFE). |
Flexibility / Adaptability
Some early restoration structures (dams) were found to be hydrologically insufficient and had to be corrected or reinforced later.
Sources
Sources