[2] It is a vast wilderness area which covers 342 km2 (85,000 acres)[2] and consists of a complex of 5 large bogs separated by unregulated rivers, their floodplains, and extensive forests.

[3] The name Alam-Pedja, translating as Lower-Pedja, comes from the nature reserve's location on the lower reaches of the Pedja River.

[4] Human activities influenced the area most in the 19th century, when interest in using its natural resources (mainly wood and fish) grew significantly.

The main driver behind exploiting the large forests of the area was glass industry, which needed huge amounts of firewood.

In the beginning of 19th century the Võisiku or Rõika-Meleski glass and mirror manufacture on the banks of Põltsamaa River near the western border of the current nature reserve was the largest industrial enterprise in Estonia, employing around 540 people in 1820.

[citation needed][6] In 1997 it was included in the Ramsar list of wetlands of international importance and since 2004 it is part of the European Union Natura 2000 network.

However, in recent decades the extent of floodplains mowed has greatly decreased, threatening species associated with such valuable semi-natural landscapes.