Looduskeskkond

Looduskeskkond is the Estonian term for the natural environment, referring to the non-human surroundings in which organisms live, including the physical space, resources and natural processes. It comprises abiotic components such as air, water, soil and climate, and biotic components such as plants, animals and microorganisms, together forming ecosystems and habitats.

It includes landscapes, biodiversity, and the flows of energy and nutrients that sustain life, such as photosynthesis, decomposition and pollination, as well as the ecological processes that connect organisms to their environment.

The concept emphasizes the relationships between living organisms and their environment and the ecosystem services they provide, including provisioning services like food and water, regulating services such as climate and flood control, supporting services like soil formation and pollination, and cultural or recreational values.

Human activities influence the looduskeskkond through land use, pollution, climate change, forestry and agriculture, and management aims to protect and restore natural processes. In policy and research, looduskeskkond is assessed in environmental impact assessments, conservation planning, and the design of protected areas, including Natura 2000 sites and national parks.

Challenges include habitat fragmentation, pollution, invasive species, and climate shifts, requiring integrated approaches and monitoring. The term is central in Estonian environmental education and discourse, linking science with planning and public awareness.