The 1,869 hectare Tahkuna nature reserve has been created in order to protect areas of forest which have remained largely unaffected by human activity.

The nature reserve also incorporates Estonia's largest single habitat of yew, dune forests and mires.

[1] The fauna is varied and the reserve is home to several nesting birds, e.g. spotted crake and white-tailed eagle.

The flora contains several species of orchids; Corallorhiza trifida and Goodyera repens are common.

[4] On 6 November 1936, the Government of the Republic of Estonia decided to protect 4 forest quarters of the Kärdla Forest District, totalling 74.2 hectares, where felling of yew trees and grazing of animals were prohibited.