Meadows and grasslands are located on Lower-Ruhnu and they were intensively used as crops and hay fields as well as pastures in the past. By the end of the 20^th century, much of the mire areas had been covered in tree and bush growth. At the moment, there is about 86 ha total of arable land on Ruhnu and the grasslands used as pastures and hayfields are located mostly in the middle- and west-part of the island. On the east coast behind the white dunes lay some unique heather grasslands – there are no woody plants but plenty of lichen.

Mostly in the south-western part there is a vast canebrake, its expansion is favored by the rising of the land mass as well as the jagged and sedimentary beach. Canebrake is also taking over the coastal salt grasslands. For the purpose of limiting the expansion of canebrake and to decrease the amount of tree and bush growth on the grasslands, 50 Scottish highland bulls and cows were brought to the island in May 2013.

There are 5 heritage cultural landscape sites on Lower-Ruhnu. Pärsi-Holma coastal meadow on the west coast of the island has great conservational value and is remarkable both for its landscape as well as the composition of species. Since 2007, these sites are conserved as a part of the Ruhnu conservation area.

Heather grasslands on the east coast

Meadows and grasslands are located on Lower-Ruhnu

Created in 2014