niiskusandur
Niiskusandur is a term used in Estonian geology to describe a moist sandur, an outwash plain formed by meltwater from glaciers and composed mainly of sands and gravels. The name combines niiskus, meaning moisture, with sandur, reflecting the surface wetness commonly observed in these formations.
Niiskusandurs form in front of retreating glaciers or along palaeoglacial channels where meltwater streams deposit and
The moisture regime is controlled by groundwater recharge, seasonal melt, and local drainage patterns. Soils are
Distribution and ecological importance
In Estonia and the broader Baltic region, niiskusandurs are linked to postglacial landscapes and coastal plains.
Niiskusandurs are studied within glaciology and wetland ecology frameworks. Conservation efforts emphasize maintaining natural water regimes,