urbanLIFEcircles

UrbanLIFEcircles (Tartu ROHEring) will increase the value of existing green areas and merge them into one system where urban nature can grow, live and move. The project includes three nature reserves as well as, for example, Emajõgi, cemeteries and private gardens. Every green area has a great value in creating the diversity of urban nature.

UrbanLIFEcircles (Tartu ROHEring) project areas are visible in this map.

Ülejõe, Barclay, Uueturu, Kaubahoovi, Vabaduse puiestik, Raadi park, Dendropark

We will reduce the frequency of mowing in selected areas and let the plants flower. We will sow seeds of native species in suitable places and plant trees and shrubs. We prefer to leave leaves in parks and shred them where possible.

Over the years, this park has developed conditions that are favorable for designing it with species typical of a grove forest*.

We are creating an urban grove here to introduce the habitat type of broadleaf-rich forest, which has become rare in Estonia, and to enhance biodiversity in the center of Tartu.

Before establishing the urban grove, preparatory and maintenance work was carried out. During this process, some trees in poor health or struggling in the shade were felled. This allows more sunlight to reach the grove. Increased light enables new plant communities to thrive, making the park more diverse and vibrant for both animals and people.

The log trunks in the park serve as biodiversity wood — they remain from the park’s maintenance work or have been brought in from other parts of the city after storm damage. These trunks provide excellent habitats for mosses, lichens, fungi, and insects. For the same reason, brush piles and branch heaps are created in the park, offering refuge for hedgehogs, mice, pollinators, and other representatives of biodiversity. In several springs, understory plants from clear-cut areas have been planted in the grove to add more color and blossoms to the park landscape. The shrub layer is also being thickened, providing habitats for many bird species.

The urban grove is not maintained regularly — mowing is done only in patches, and leaves are left to decompose naturally. This is a kind of experiment to observe how a broadleaf-rich forest-like community evolves and changes over time. The urban grove offers a chance to see how nature itself shapes the park and invites us to rethink what a park can be and what it can offer to both people and nature.

*Grove forest (salumets) has developed from former broadleaved forests (oak, ash, maple, linden, elm). Today, only a few remain. These forests have fertile soil and a diverse shrub layer (hazel, redcurrant, honeysuckle, bird cherry, rowan, etc.), along with a rich herbaceous layer (liverwort, anemones, star-of-Bethlehem, ferns, wood sorrel, etc.). Broadleaf-rich forests make up only 5% of Estonia’s forests.

In addition to being home to many species, the urban grove also hosts several elements of biodesign. 
These works by architects, landscape architects, and designers highlight the uniqueness and importance of nature and demonstrate how design and architecture can support biodiversity. 

 Woody Debris 

ALPS Landscape Architects (Latvia) 

Natural elements like logs and stones along riverbanks offer numerous benefits for both urban environments and natural ecosystems. They increase biodiversity, create habitats for various animal species from insects to birds, and contribute to the development of a healthier and more resilient ecosystem. Additionally, placing natural elements along the banks aligns with sustainable riverbank restoration methods, shaping a dynamic riverside landscape that offers opportunities to learn about flowing water bodies. 

Log Bundle 

LLRRLLRR Architects (Estonia) 

Logs of different diameters, heights, treatments, and stages of decay are tied together with a metal belt. The log bundle is a source of energy and a habitat for organisms—higher spots serve as bird perches, the logs provide food and shelter for various creatures, and the inaccessible debris and decaying matter between the logs serve as natural nourishment and refuge. 

Microhabitat "Bio-Spoon" 

TajuRuum Landscape Architects (Estonia) 

The so-called “spoon” cut into the path serves habitats to a variety of moisture-loving plant, insect, and animal species. 

The spoon was excavated below the surrounding ground level and lined with a layer of raw clay, which prevents rainwater from seeping into the soil and creates a wetter microenvironment. Riverside plants further divide the hollow into a more intimate space for moisture-loving life forms. 

As you walk over the spoon, take a look—what or whom do you notice moving in this "biosoup" underfoot and beside the path? 

Clay Habitats 

Ceramic Artist Lauri Kilusk (Estonia) 

3D-printed clay habitat-sculptures of various shapes and sizes are placed in tall grass, on stumps, attached to logs, and among branches. 
See if you can find all the microhabitats hidden in the urban grove. 

A Lush and Biodiverse Urban Grassland Grows Here 

This urban grassland is home to primarily native plant species and their cultivars, growing in all their beauty and richness to support both pollinators and plant biodiversity. The plant community growing here is a so-called new ecosystem—designed by humans but inspired by natural communities studied in the wild. When planning the urban grassland, special attention was given to ensuring that it offers visual interest throughout every season. This might come in the form of flowers, leaves with interesting textures, or standout colors. 

The grassland also includes trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, arranged in layered groupings. These structured plant groups alternate with park meadows and picnic lawns. All the trees and shrubs in the park are integrated into the fabric of the urban grassland. 

The first section of Tartu’s urban grassland was planted in Uueturu Park in 2022, with major works completed in the spring of 2023 and 2024. The grassland takes time to mature—it doesn’t grow overnight. Nature needs time to develop, both in the city and beyond. Some plants require several years to fully establish, meaning the grassland will look very different a few years after planting than it did at the beginning. With each passing year, Uueturu Park will become lusher and more colorful, offering a habitat for urban wildlife and a great opportunity for people to engage with local biodiversity. 

The creation of this urban grassland is part of both the LIFE Programme’s urbanLIFEcircles project and the Curated Biodiversity initiative within the Tartu 2024 program. 

Meadows are among the most diverse ecosystems in the world—on a small scale, such as per square meter, they can even surpass rainforests. In Estonia, semi-natural grasslands are important habitats for nearly 700 plant species. The abundance of meadow flowers also benefits pollinators, whose numbers are declining due to changes in land use. 

The creation of the Uueturu urban meadow began in the autumn of 2020, when the turf was removed and residents sowed a seed mix of native meadow plants. Since the very next summer, dozens of plant species have brought floral beauty to the urban meadow. A semi-natural community develops gradually and looks different in every season and at every time of year. The Uueturu meadow is mown once or twice a summer, ensuring that something is always in bloom and seeds have time to mature. 

The urban meadow supports both biodiversity and people’s mental well-being—the more diverse the environment, the better people feel in it. By valuing biodiversity and taking joy in it, everyone can become a protector of nature. 

Raadi and Pauluse

We will install nesting boxes and drinking places for birds and bats. We will create more composting places.

In addition to public green areas, private gardens, school and kindergarten yards also play an important role in supporting biodiversity. In the course of the project, we will develop various solutions and activities that favor biodiversity that everyone can try.

Raadi, Ropka-Ihaste and Anne 

Raadi, Ropka-Ihaste and Anne

We will support the maintenance of Tartu's nature reserves with project activities, give recommendations for supplementing conservation plans and carrying out restoration works, remove invasive alien species and improve the habitat conditions of protected species.

The green space of Maarjamõisa Meadow aims to explore the best ways to enhance biodiversity in an urban environment. A more nature-friendly city supports the mental and physical well-being of Tartu residents, reduces noise and dust, helps keep the city cool in summer, and absorbs more rainwater. Our distant ancestors relied entirely on natural resources, which is why spending time in a lush environment still brings us a deep sense of contentment.

In Estonia, species-rich semi-natural grasslands have developed and been preserved throughout history largely thanks to grazing livestock. That’s why peaceful and quiet sheep graze this demonstration area in summer. As an eco-friendly solution, they help keep the vegetation low, prevent overgrowth, and support the development of a diverse plant community. Their droppings attract various insects, which in turn serve as food for birds. Within a few years, a grazing area can turn into a biodiverse site with rich plant life.

The restoration of the meadow areas at Maarjamõisa Meadow is a gradual process. Test plots have been established to help University of Tartu researchers gather valuable information on how to create and restore meadows. For example, native plant species grown in Estonia are sown here, soil enriched with mycorrhiza from donor sites is brought in, and new meadow patches are created to help spread seeds. Since meadow restoration takes several years, we will only see the full results of these experiments after some time.

Various landscape-enriching elements seen throughout the area — stones, fallen logs, and branches — provide places for relaxation and play, but they are equally important habitats for fungi, insects, small mammals, and birds.

Maarjamõisa Meadow faces challenges from invasive alien plant species — goldenrod, knotweed, and lupine thrive here, having spread from gardens into the wild and crowding out Estonia’s native flora. We are working to remove them from the site. City residents can help by avoiding and eliminating invasive species in their own gardens.

You are always welcome to visit Maarjamõisa Meadow! Take care of what you see and feel free to try similar approaches in your own yard.

The Maarjamõisa model area was created as part of the LIFE programme project “Tartu ROHEring” through collaboration between the University of Tartu and the City of Tartu. The landscape architectural design was created by Merle Karro-Kalberg.

We will support the plant species already growing there and plant more bushes and trees to provide a more diverse habitat. We will install nature-friendly lighting that would disturb animals as little as possible and provide people with a sense of security.

The Jaamamõisa stream is nearly three kilometers long and begins at the Raadi nature reserve. It flows for two kilometers on the ground, while the last kilometer is underground in a concrete pipe. During the project, we will carry out preliminary studies to research the possibility of bringing the stream to the ground. We will also tidy up the banks of the part that flows on the ground and create a green corridor and recreation area.

We will make the banks of Emajõgi more diverse - we plant suitable vascular plants, bushes and trees and create habitats for amphibians.

After the spring thaw, water remains in the shallow depressions found along the Anne Canal, creating a seemingly favourable spawning ground for amphibians. A shallow depression of this type was also located here. In the spring of 2023, researchers from the University of Tartu found common frog spawn during fieldwork, which showed that amphibians have taken over the area between the Anne Canal and the health trail over the years. Unfortunately, the end of the summer was disappointing for the frogs – their pool dried up before the metamorphosis of the tadpole larvae into frogs, meaning they failed to reach adulthood.

With the support of the Tartu urbanLIFEcircles project, the pond was made a bit deeper in December 2023, to give amphibians a chance to breed successfully and grow up in the surrounding rarely mowed green space. In addition to the frogs, salamanders (smooth newts) also spawn in the pond. They have a fascinating adaptation of folding their eggs one by one between wide, soft plant leaves, such as those of water forget-me-nots. In addition, the created small watering hole, together with its adjacent green space, will support aquatic insects, whose increased numbers will, in turn, support birds and bats through the food web. The pool is home to diving beetles, dragonflies, water boatmen, water striders, and caddisflies, among others.

We allow the grass next to the frog pool to grow taller, with the area being mowed only once or twice a year, to prevent frog mortality and to provide a feeding area for frogs, pollinators, and many others. There are tree trunks located between the pool and Anne Canal, in the shade of which it is safer for wildlife to move between the pool and the canal, and hibernate. Recumbent trees are also a nice habitat for a variety of living organisms, and can be used for climbing and exploring.

We ask to not stock the frog pool with fish! This is because fish eat frogspawn, tadpoles, and larvae. Leave the Emajõgi River and the Anne Canal to the fish, and let the pool be home to frogs and other (semi-)aquatic small water biota.

Monitoring the state of biodiversity in the project areas

The goal of the project is to develop science-based solutions that would work for different species. For this, it is necessary to assess what their current condition is in the city of Tartu, and therefore researchers from the University of Tartu will monitor the species richness and abundance of vascular plants, insects, invertebrates and birds in the project areas in the spring and summer of 2023.

Cleaning the Supilinna pond and planting plants on the banks

Supilinna's pond is currently overgrown and unfit for many species. That's why we undertake the cleaning, dredging of the pond and improving habitat conditions for amphibians with riparian vegetation.

Changing the mowing regime

A heavy mowing regime is not suitable for many plant species and prevents existing ones from flowering. We try to mow less in some areas (for example, once or twice during the summer) and make the parks more diverse. There will certainly remain more frequently mowed areas for having a picnic and leisure time.

A change in the mowing regime, mostly reducing the frequency of mowing and choosing a suitable mowing height, also affects pollinators: the increase in the number of flowering plants attracts both more species and more individuals.

Removing invasive alien species

In the city of Tartu, invasive alien species have been found that displace local Estonian plants and take over the entire area. We will remove the Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) and the many-leaved lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus) growing in the project areas and test different methods to find the most effective of them.

Sowing seeds of native plant species

We will sow seeds of native plants on some lawns and flower beds to support native plant species as well as insects and animals that feed on them.

Installing nest boxes for birds

We install suitable nesting boxes for the bird species living in the city.

Installing shelter boxes for bats

In nature, bats find shelter in tree cavities, buildings, bridges and other structures, but in the city there can sometimes too few of these and far between. A shelter box is a good way to provide additional shelter for bats.

Installation of insect hotels

Installing insect hotels in urban green spaces provides habitat and shelter for many different insects that help pollinate plants, provide food for others and keep pests under control.

Providing habitat for insects in the dead wood

Dead wood and standing dead trees provide habitat for specific species that feed on dead wood and are good decomposers. If tree trunks are usually removed from parks, we would like to keep them in suitable places in some project areas and thereby create new habitats.

Supporting activities that increase the biodiversity in private gardens

In addition to the city's green areas, a large part of the city's greenery is also private gardens. We want to encourage various biodiversity-supporting activities in private gardens, so that species have diverse habitats.

Creating hiking trails in the city

We are creating a virtual hiking trail connecting the project areas, through which the citizens will gain new knowledge about green areas, different species and biodiversity. On some sections of the hiking trail, we are also developing physical infrastructure and additional recreation areas.

Installation of informative boards in project areas

We want those interested to be able to have information about the work being done in the project areas and to understand why our activities are necessary. For this, we will install temporary information boards while carrying out the works, and then permanent ones, so that information is available to everyone.

The Supilinna Pond formed in the 1950s, when land was taken from the right bank of the Emajõgi River for construction. Since then, the watering hole has become an important site for both the residents of Supilinn and many species. The Supilinna Pond covers an area of nearly 2.5 hectares and is home to a large number of frogs. Many of the locals instead refer to it as ‘frog lake’.

Unfortunately, in the early 21st century, the number of frogs and other species in the pond dwindled as the watering hole grew more and more clogged each year due to an overabundance of nutrients. Due to the excess nutrients too little light and heat reaches the body of water, with oxygen deficiency occurring at night. In winter, when large masses of plants decompose, all aquatic fauna is threatened by the lack of oxygen.

This is why clean-up works began on the Supilinna Pond at the end of summer 2023. Nearly 15,000 cubic metres of sediment, bank vegetation and underbrush surrounding the pond were removed. During the clean-up work, partially camouflaged areas were preserved, as amphibians need areas with shallow-water and vegetation exposed to the sun in order to breed. In addition, the slope of the banks was increased to make it easier for amphibians to enter the water and for people to see what is happening in the pond. Seed mixes of native plants suitable for the banks of the pond were sown on the shores of the Supilinna Pond to support biodiversity in the city.

The pond was cleaned in 2023 and 2024 by OÜ Nivoo. Funding was provided by the City of Tartu and the EU LIFE project Tartu ROHEring.

 
Amphibians 

Once known as ‘frog lake’ because of the abundance of amphibians, the biodiversity of Supilinna Pond has been relatively low in recent times. The biological, ecological and behavioural characteristics of amphibians make them highly sensitive to environmental change. As cold-blooded animals, the activeness of amphibians depends on the warmth of their surroundings, making a pond with sufficient light and balanced nutrients in the water the ideal habitat. In the spring of 2023, before the start of the clean-up works, six species of amphibians were found in Supilinna Pond: the common frog, moor frog, pool frog, edible frog, toad, and the smooth newt.
 
Fish

As the Supilinna Pond is man-made, it is not a natural habitat for fish. Fish can find their way into ponds with human help, but from the point of view of nature this should not be done. Fish introduced into a small, closed body of water quickly upset the balance of the ecosystem, consuming most of the larger aquatic invertebrates. This, in turn, takes food away from amphibians and birds.

Mammals

As more insects live near water bodies, they also attract larger animals. On summer nights, several species of bats can be seen flying over the pond, using echolocation to catch food. The area around the Supilinna Pond is a flight area and summer shelter for protected category II bat species. These protected species are the pond bat, Daubenton’s bat, the common noctule, the northern bat, the common pipistrelle, Nathusius’ pipistrelle, and the brown long-eared bat. During the 2023 census, Nathusius’ pipistrelles, northern bats and common noctules were seen flying along the Emajõgi River and the pond.

In addition to bats, a wide variety of animals live or forage in Supilinn – the most common visitors being the fox, the European hare, the European polecat, and the common raccoon dog, with the occasional young brown bear also appearing.

Plants

Following the restoration work, a seed mix of native plant species was sown on the banks of the pond, which includes, for example, the clustered bellflower, golden marguerite, galium, oregano, purple loosestrife, sneezewort, wood and water avens, and many others. The seed mix contains a total of 40 species of plants, many of which may take a few years to grow. So, in addition to the frogs, it’s worth coming every summer to see the plants growing on the banks of the pond.

Insects

Ponds are home to a fascinating food web, which also determines how clear the water in the pond remains. The water column is home to phytoplankton, which are able to use sunlight to live, and when there is a lot of phytoplankton, the water becomes cloudy. Phytoplankton, in turn, are fed on by zooplankton, which therefore play an important role in ensuring water transparency. However, if you introduce fish that eat zooplankton into a pond, the water becomes very cloudy.

Try to look for zooplankton in the sun, more specifically swarms of common water fleas, swarms of small red spots. This can be seen in the exciting situation where Dytiscus larvae attack a swarm of common water fleas. Just like big predatory fish in a nature film feed in schools on smaller fish.

Molluscs

All seven species of large freshwater molluscs living in Estonia need fish, living on their gills or fins as juveniles at the beginning of their lives. As there are no fish in this pond, it is unlikely that large carp molluscs would come here to live. However, small European fingernail clams and greater European peaclams, up to a centimetre in size, may come to live on the bottom and surface of the pond.

European fingernail clams and greater European peaclams are, among other things, food for waterfowl and they spread to new water bodies with the help of waterfowl and amphibians, e.g. by attaching themselves to their legs.

Birds 

In the past, the pond has been a favourable habitat for species that love dense aquatic vegetation – the Eurasian coot, the common moorhen, and even the water rail. The mute swan has also, on occasion, built its nest on a flattened reed. Black-headed gulls and mallards have also nested among the aquatic plants in the pond. The dense reeds and scrub along the edge of the pond have provided nesting sites for the common reed bunting, a variety of warblers, Eurasian penduline tits, thrush nightingales and other passerines. Newcomers to the fauna of Estonia, the great egret, and the mandarin duck and the ruddy shelduck have also been seen feeding here.

OBSERVE NATURE 
 
The biota of the cleaned pond will certainly change – species not seen before may be seen here in the future. We invite nature lovers to share their observations with others using the PlutoF Go observation app. https://elurikkus.ee/observations/add.

We often take the natural world around us for granted and only realise its importance when we have lost it. Unfortunately, wildlife and their habitats are disappearing all over the world, including Estonia. For example, the abundance of field and forest birds, insects and mosses in Estonia is in particularly steep decline, and many species associated with watercourses are in poor condition. In order to stem the wave of extinctions and help species to recover, we need to conserve nature and restore habitats wherever there is space. Urban environments play a very important role here. 

Urban sprawl is a factor in habitat loss, but it doesn’t have to be this way. By acting thoughtfully, we can share the urban space with a wide range of terrific native species, while creating a better living environment for ourselves. A species-rich ecosystem is in balance and species that are troublesome to humans cannot take over. In cities, we are used to encountering species that are not really part of our ecosystem, or there are too many of them in one place. However, the same species that live in our favourite forest or flower meadow can live in the city. By giving native plant species the chance to grow and flourish, we also create better conditions for pollinators and, through the food chain, for songbirds.

To improve the habitat here, we can give greater consideration to the local landscape in green spaces and connect isolated habitats into a single system where species can move about and live. 

The Supilinna Pond provides a habitat for amphibians, one of the world’s most endangered species. In Estonia, all amphibians are protected. Well-maintained bodies of water are hotspots for biodiversity in the city. Many birds, bats and insects find a home or feeding ground here. In addition to the good condition of the body of water itself, it is also important to look after the shore area. Shore areas with natural vegetation, gentle slopes and banks that are maintained to promote biodiversity provide a functional link between aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

Nature conservation for everyone in the city

• Sow and plant native species. Native plant species are best suited to provide habitat, pollination and food for native animal species.

• Mow less. By mowing less frequently, you give the opportunity for species-rich vegetation to develop and support biodiversity in the city.

• Create habitats. Piles of branches, fallen leaves, old stumps, deadwood, rock piles, woodpiles and native plant species help to transform the city into a natural and diverse habitat.

• Get involved in community activities. A natural urban space developed together connects people to each other and to nature.

• Learn to distinguish between native species and invasive alien species. Find out what species grow in and around your home. Tartu’s most important pest species are the Canada goldenrod and the large-leaved lupine.

• Drive less in your car Cars cause air and noise pollution, and take space away from nature.

The City of Tartu is committed to enhancing the city’s biodiversity and creating the best possible conditions for our beautiful native species. Flowering green areas and abundant watering holes benefit the butterflies and insects that feed there, and also attract birds, bats, squirrels and hedgehogs. Such a species-rich and green city is a good habitat for all urban wildlife, but above all for us – the people.

A more natural environment for people

Humans are one of the animal species and feel most at home when close to the natural environment.

A sense of home 

Natural elements shape regional specificity and help to make urban environments welcoming, friendly and safe.

Beauty 

An urban environment is made up of more than roads and houses. Nature adds beauty and conceals the unsightly. People often choose to live in an area where nature enriches the environment.

Fewer air pollution-related diseases 

Plants clean up the urban air and prevent the spread of pollution. Air pollution is one of the most serious environmental factors in premature death.

A stronger immune system 

An environment that is too clean fails to teach our immune system to distinguish between dangerous and harmless factors.

A diverse microbiome 

develops in the natural environment. The bacterial communities living inside and on top of us are our ‘old friends’, protecting us from disease.

Mental health 

Spending time in a natural environment reduces stress and helps to organise your thoughts. Working in a natural environment (for example gardening) offers people the experiences of self-expression and success.