Are Kont

• Tallinn University

This study aims to reconstruct the changes in storminess during the past 7600 years in the northeastern Baltic Sea region. For storminess reconstructions, aeolian sand influx (ASI) in coastal peat bog deposits was applied as an indicator of the past storminess. We analyzed cores from four peat bogs in the western and northern coastal areas of Eston...

A diverse suite of erosional features along the shoreline of Lehtma (Hiiumaa Island, Estonia) is used to assess their morphodynamic context and preservation potential. The Holocene strandplain along the eastfacing (leeward) shoreline has experienced rapid retreat due to the anthropogenically induced sediment deficit. The study site is located just...

Coastal strandplains on Saaremaa Island, Estonia, contain a rich archive of past events, which are recorded as geomorphic and lithological indicators of reworking (erosional) and depositional (accretionary) phases. This study presents a new dataset of low-field bulk magnetic susceptibility (MS) values from coastal sands as a rapid means of characte...

Due to changes in atmospheric circulation and warmer winters, the frequency of strong westerly storms associated with high sea level in ice-free sea conditions has increased on the western coast of Estonia. This trend is especially dangerous for the sections of depositional seashores along the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea such as Pärnu Bay and i...

This study aims to evaluate a reconstruction method of past storminess using aeolian sand influx (ASI) in peat deposits. We use high-resolution records of ASI from four peat bogs along the Estonian coast and compare those with local instrumentally-recorded storminess data since 1920 AD and with historical climatic records around the Baltic Sea over...

Climate change in recent decades has been identified as a significant threat to natural environments and human wellbeing. This is because some of the contemporary changes to climate are abrupt and result in persistent changes in the state of natural systems; so called regime shifts (RS). This study aimed to detect and analyse the timing and strengt...

List of used time series, their original temporal resolution and spatial extent. Below potted history for each variable with identified regime shifts as broken lines. Number at the broken line reflects the statistical significance of the particular regime shift. (PDF)

A R script on how to depict a timing and relative strength of statistically significant RSs and the relatedness of time series within each system category (i.e. abiotic and biotic elements of atmospheric, terrestrial, bog, lake, river and marine systems) in terms of the timing of RSs. (PDF)

Palginõmm, V.; Orviku, K.; Suursaar, Ü.; Kont, A.; Tõnisson, H., and Rivis, R., 2018. Lessons Learned from Record-High Storm Surges and Associated Inundations in Pärnu, SW Estonia. In: Shim, J.-S.; Chun, I., and Lim, H.S. (eds.), Proceedings from the International Coastal Symposium (ICS) 2018 (Busan, Republic of Korea). Journal of Coastal Research,...

The coastal ridge–swale systems in the west Estonian archipelago (Röögu, Lõimastu) and on the northern coast (Juminda), where wave and wind-built ridges are separated from each other by wet depressions, contain the records on ancient shoreline positions, major storm events and forest fires. The results are based on cartographic analysis, ground-pen...

The structure of coastal land cover in Estonia is intricate and exhibits considerable differences from site to site. The diverse geomorphology of the seashores is one of the key factors affecting the speed and magnitude of land cover changes. Likewise, the history of human inhabitance on the coast has also shaped the character of land cover. The Es...

The postglacial uplift and transgressive-regressive phases of the Baltic Sea have affected the formation and displacement of sandy accumulation forms in the region. The dune-ridge complexes preserve a geological record of past sea-level fluctuations, coastal evolution, and extreme events, and offer insights into major driving mechanisms. This study...

Articles: - Introduction to BONUS - Approaches to ensure an effective coastal zone management in the Baltic and beyond - Re-evaluating best-practice ICZM case studies around the Baltic Sea - Best practice re-analysis: Denmark - Grains of sand, a sunken treasure? - Timmendorfer Strand/Scharbeutz - A successful Systems Approach Framework application...

Climate The formation of the heaths on the islands of N Estonia has been favoured by harsher climatic conditions compared to the mainland. The annual mean temperature in the region varies from 5.4 0 (in the west) to 4.6 0 C (in the east). Springs are cooler (3.0 0 C in April) but autumns are warmer (2.5 0 C in November) than on the mainland. The am...

The current study was focusing on the shore processes and the coastal sea fronting Sillamäe town. The shores near the Sillamäe starting west from the Voka settlement and ending at the top of Cape Kannuka were described as one litho dynamic system with a good natural balance in the recent past. The main aim of the paper was to analyse the impact of...

Many coastal sites are experiencing land uplift, so coastal formations can be found many kilometres inland from the present day shoreline. However, due to the relatively rapid, site specific and complicated development, their evolution is not very thoroughly studied yet. In this study, we analyse sediments and subsurface stratigraphy to explain the...

The coastal landscapes of Estonia are young (less than 10,000 years old). Their development is affected by the Baltic Sea, by pre-existing geomorphology and by regional tectonic uplift. Since emerging from the sea 5,000 years ago, the coastal landscapes have been evolving under regressive sea conditions. The landscape diversity is greatest on coast...

Our current understanding of the morphodynamics in swash and surf zones is limited due to their turbulent and irregular nature. The importance of this zone to sediment transport led us to perform a sophisticated field experiment using painted sediments. Sediments collected locally from beach ridges were sorted into the following diameters: 1-2.5 cm...

Analysis of relationships between near-shore hydrodynamics and sediment movement on Osmussaar Island, western Estonia Based on field studies, hydro-meteorological data and wave hindcasts, coastal developments and their hydrodynamic forcing conditions are studied on the limestone relict island of Osmussaar. Areal growth of Osmussaar Island, which em...

Recently reported increased water depths and greater wave heights, perhaps associated with increased storminess, are likely to lead to more active changes, such as increased beach erosion, faster shoreline migration and sediment redistribution. A coastal environment particularly sensitive to the impact of sea-level rise is that of highly erodible c...

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) profiling has been performed in the study sites in west Estonian archipelago (Roogu, Loimastu) and on the northern coast of the mainland (Juminda). The west Estonian study sites have emerged during regressive phases of the Limnea Sea. The coastal landforms there are younger and smaller than the landforms in northern E...

The structure of coastal land cover in Estonia is variable and shows considerable differences from site to site. The diverse geomorphology of the seashores is one of the key factors causing different velocity and magnitude of changes while the country's history of settling the coast has also shaped the character of land cover. The main objectives o...

The study analyzes the meteorological parameters, hydrodynamic conditions and coastal changes at three practically tideless locations on Saaremaa Island caused by storm Ulli (sustained wind speed 20 m/s, gusts 28 m/s) which struck the Estonian coast on 4 January 2012. It was the last and the most influential storm of a series of storms which began...

The study is analyzing the meteorological parameters, hydrodynamic conditions and coastal changes caused by extreme storm known as Berit, which travelled across the Baltic Sea from 27th to 29th of November in 2011. Wind speed on West Estonian islands reached to 19,7 m/s (gusts 29 m/s), 20,4 m/s on the northern coast (gusts 27 m/s) and 15 m/s (gusts...

This case study presents the results of a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) profiling in Hiiumaa, west Estonian archipelago. Most of the coast of Hiiumaa has emerged from the Baltic Sea during Limnea Sea stage. The study sites are located on Tahkuna Peninsula, northern Hiiumaa where the coastal plain is characterized by a series of beach ridges. The b...

The study is focused on a gravel-pebble spit in Kelba. It is a dynamic region in the magnitude and velocity of hydrodynamic and shore processes, where historical changes in shoreline position reflect the changes in wind and wave climate. The region has probably the roughest wave climate along the Estonian coast. In order to assess the changes in sh...

Osmussaar is a 5 km long relict island of the Baltic Clint, overlain by Quaternary deposits, which emerged from the Baltic Sea 3000 years ago as a result of postglacial rebound. An Ordovician limestone cliff 7m high is the most characteristic feature on the northern part of the island, whereas 2-3m high gravel-pebble ridges cover the southern part...

The coastal zone is a crucial environment that is experiencing pressure from a wide variety of different agents and interests. Many sandy beaches high in recreation value are suffering from increasing erosion, and the shoreline is receding in these areas despite of tectonic land uplift. Sediment deficit is evident in many places. One key problem in...

Estonia is sensitive to climate change manifestations such as an increase in cyclonic activity, westerly circulation and a northward shift of the Atlantic storm track over the last decades. Changes in meteorological conditions have changed wave climate and sea-level conditions as well the rate at which shore processes occur. The current study analy...

As a result of rapid coastal zone urbanization, many sand dunes in Europe are currently at risk of degradation by their overuse, misuse or poor management. In this context, using examples from the coastal zones in Bulgaria and Estonia, the present paper is designed to illustrate and analyze critical problems of dune destruction caused by expanding...

Prior to the founding of the town of Sillamäe in 1946 when a waste depository facility was constructed across the sediment path moving along the shore on Cape Päite, the shores nearby were one litho dynamic system with good natural balance. The shores there today are no longer in a state of dynamic equilibrium. This study analyzes how construction...

IntroductionThe coastline of Estonia is about 3,790 km long, including Hiumaa, Saaremaa and over 1,500 smaller islands of the Estonian Archipelago. It includes the sectors of the coast exposed to waves generated by the prevailing westerly winds, with NW waves dominant along the north-facing segment beside the Gulf of Finland, and the sectors that a...

As a result of an increase in cyclonic activity above NW Europe, trends toward higher storm surge levels and intensification of coastal processes has been reported along the Eastern section of the Baltic Sea. Four extreme storms in 1999-2007 caused significant changes to the depositional shores in the West Estonian Archipelago. The main objective o...

Investigations of multi-layer current regime, variations in sea level and wave parameters using a bottom-mounted RDCP (Recording Doppler Current Profiler) during 20 December 2006–23 May 2007 were integrated with surveys on changes of shorelines and contours of beach ridges at nearby Harilaid Peninsula (Saaremaa Island). A W-storm with a maximum ave...

A 5-month long record on currents, waves and other hydrological variables was obtained by means of Recording Doppler Current Profilers (RDCP) 1.5 km off the Kelba spit of Saaremaa Island over a period from December 2006 to May 2007. A parallel study of coastal changes was based on orthophotos and the measurements of beach ridges, as well as on the...

A cyclone known as Gudrun in the Nordic countries developed above the North Atlantic and traveled over the British Isles, Scandinavia, and Finland on January 7-9, 2005. As a result of high initial levels of the Baltic Sea, the fast-traveling cyclone with a favorable trajectory and strong SW-W winds created a record high storm surge (275 cm) in Parn...

Calciphilous plant communities, soil and geomorphology along the gradient of elevation in land uplift area in the coast of western Estonia were described. In grazed areas, species rich alvar grassland is a final stage in successional sere. The differences in site history in various points of the transect were reflected by the variability of underly...

Estonia is a coastal country with a long coastline (3800 km) for which climate change and accelerated sea-level rise are key problems that need to be considered in any future impact assessment. Due to its flat, low-lying coastal zone, any rise in sea level places many coastal ecosystems and recreationally valuable sandy beaches at risk. Milder wint...

The natural environment of Estonia is sensitive to climate change due to its location in a transitional zone between areas with different bioclimatic conditions. We studied the NAO index and data on temperature, moisture, wind, and sea level regimes in Estonia and the Baltic Sea region. We also looked at the relationships between meteorological for...

TÕNISSON, H., ORVIKU, K., KONT, A., SUURSAAR, Ü., JAAGUS, J., and RIVIS, R., 2007. Gravel-pebble Shores on Saaremaa Island, Estonia, and the Relationship with Formation Conditions. Journal of Coastal Research, SI 50 (Proceedings of the 9th International Coastal Symposium), 810 - 815. Gold Coast, Australia, ISSN 0749.0208 The Estonian seacoasts in g...

PALGINÕMM, V., RATAS, U. and KONT, A., 2007. Increasing human impact on coastal areas of Estonia in recent decades. Journal of Coastal Research, SI 50 (Proceedings of the 9th International Coastal Symposium), 114 - 119. Gold Coast, Australia, ISSN 0749.0208 The costal zone is a crucial environment that is experiencing pressure from a wide variety o...

The aim of the paper is to analyze relationships between hydrodynamic and geomorphic processes in a small bay in the West-Estonian Archipelago. The area consists of a Silurian limestone cliff exposed to storm activity, and a dependent accumulative distal spit consisting of gravel and pebble. Changes in shoreline position have been investigated on t...

Due to the low-lying land, the gently sloping coasts and the virtual absence of tides, the flooding generated both by local storm surges and the climatologically induced global sea level rise will increasingly affect the Estonian coastal zone. Both the static as well as the dynamic aspects of the sea level rise are studied and their consequences ar...

Climate warming due to the enhanced greenhouse effect is expected to have a significant impact on natural environment and human activity in high latitudes. Mostly, it should have a positive effect on human activity. The main threats in Estonia that could be connected with sea-level rise are the flooding of coastal areas, erosion of sandy beaches an...

Estonia has a long (3,800 km) coastline due to numerous peninsulas, bays and islands (over 1,500). Owing to its flat and low-lying coastal zone, which is experiencing isostatic and tectonic uplift, the development of the coast should be stable, although activation of coastal processes, which are presumed to be associated with global climate change,...

Climate warming due to the enhanced greenhouse effect is expected to have a significant impact on the natural environment and human activity in high latitudes. Because of its geography, wide coastal areas, water resources, forests, and wetlands, the environment of Estonia is sensitive to climate change and sea level rise. Climate change scenarios f...

Due to long coastline (3,794 km in total) and extensive low-lying coastal areas, global climate change through sea-level rise will strongly affect the territory of Estonia. A number of valuable natural ecosystems (both, marine and terrestrial) containing rare plant communities often rich in species, but also suitable breeding places for birds will...

Because of its geography, wide coastal areas, water resources, forests, and wetlands, the environment of Estonia is sensitive to climate change and sea level rise. Therefore, the vulnerability and adaptation assessment focused on these sectors GCM-based and incremental climate change scenarios are used for V and A assessment in Estonia. The results...

Because of its geography, wide coastal areas, water resources, forests, and wetlands, the environment of Estonia is sensitive to climate change and sea level rise. Therefore, the vulnerability and adaptation assessments focused on these sectors. This chapter gives preliminary results of our study. The CERES-Barley and SPUR2 models were used to asse...

This section describes long-term observed climatic changes in atmospheric parameters. The focus is on surface climate conditions, but changes in atmospheric circulation are discussed as they often are behind climatic variability seen on regional and local scales. For a summary introduction on mean atmospheric states and conditions in the Baltic Sea...

Warmer winters, increased cyclonic activity and frequent occurrence of extremely strong storms in northern Europe seem to be closely related phenomena caused by climate change. Climatic changes in moderate and high latitudes have led to critical changes in the dynamics and development of coastal areas. In Estonia, the greatest destruction occurs on...

Like the Baltic Sea region in general, the Estonian coastal land use has historically been rather intensive. The situation changed dramatically during the 20 th century. At the end of WWII, the coastal zone of Estonia was declared a border zone of the Soviet Union, leading to restrictions on settlement and socio-economic activity. The most severe r...