Tiik

Tiik is the Estonian term for a small pond, a shallow, standing body of freshwater. It may be natural or human-made and is commonly found in rural and garden landscapes.

Tiigid can form where groundwater seeps into depressions or where excavation or damming has created a basin. They typically have emergent vegetation along the edges, such as reeds and rushes, and may host water lilies or other aquatic plants across the surface.

They provide breeding habitat for amphibians (frogs, newts) and support insects, crustaceans, and many waterfowl. They contribute to local biodiversity and can act as micro-reservoirs for groundwater recharge.

In Estonia, tiigid have been used for irrigation, drainage, and ornamental ponds on farms and in gardens. Management practices include monitoring water quality, controlling nutrient input to prevent eutrophication, dredging sediment, and protecting margins from agricultural runoff.

The word tiik is a standard term in the Estonian language and appears in place names and literature, reflecting the role of ponds in the rural landscape.