Protected Area Network in Finland Barents Protected Area Network Conference: Road to a functional network of protected areas in the Barents Region Helsinki, Finland 19 March 2013 Sanna-Kaisa Juvonen & Mervi Heinonen Metsähallitus, Natural Heritage Services
Protected area system in Finland Based on Nature reserves established under the Nature Conservation Act Wilderness reserves established under the Wilderness Act Natura 2000 network, based on EU s Birds and Habitats Directives 2
Development of protected area network First legislation on nature conservation in 1923, new Nature Conservation Act in 1996 First NPs and SNRs established in the 1930's and 50's, also in the 80's and 90's Latest two NPs established in 2011 WRs established in 1991 Landscape ecological planning > second round 2004-2008, revisions 2008-2011 Natura 2000 network supplemented 2004-2012 3
Development of protected area network Implementation of national nature conservation programmes 2010 Source: Ministry of the Environment 4
Established protected area types in Finland Protected area type Number Area (ha) % Nature reserves 8 779 1 972 600 56,96 National parks 37 980 700 28,32 Strict nature reserves 19 153 600 4,44 Mire reserves 171 461 800 13,34 Herb-rich forest reserves 51 1 200 0,03 Old-growth forest reserves 91 9 800 0,28 Seal reserves 7 18 800 0,54 Protected areas established by Metsähallitus 24 800 0,02 Nature reserves on private land 8 289 262 500 7,58 Other protected areas 38 47 900 1,38 Protected areas on Åland 52 35 500 1,03 Wilderness reserves 12 1 490 300 43,04 Total 8 791 3 462 900 100,00 Source: Ministry of the Environment & Metsähallitus 1 January 2012 5
Protected areas in Finland Large PAs on state land in the north PAs on private land numerous but small, mostly in southern and central Finland 1700 pending nature reserves (total 766 500 ha) to be established by law in the next 5 years 77 % of the Natura 2000 network covered by established or pending nature and wilderness reserves, the rest of the Natura 2000 sites implemented partly or fully by other legislation Nature and wilderness reserves on state land (2010) Nature reserves on private land (2010) 6
Governance of protected areas in Finland Ministry of the Environment supervision and guidance Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services manages all stateowned PAs 93% of all PAs Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment responsible for private PAs (co-managed in practice) Forest land in managed forests Protected areas (NHS) Public water areas (NHS) 7
Protected areas managed by Metsähallitus NHS 37 national parks 19 strict nature reserves almost 500 other NRs 12 wilderness reserves 7 national hiking areas public water areas
National Parks in Finland a total of 37 national parks 9 790 km 2 2,1 million visits in 2012 9
Conservation of habitats and species 10
Protection of cultural heritage, 11 landscapes and traditions
Trails and facilities for outdoor recreation 12
Visitor facilities in numbers 3,000 campfire and picnic sites 2,300 outdoor dry toilets and waste collection points 13
Visitor facilities in numbers 6,700 km of maintained trails 14
Visitor centres, guidance, nature interpretation, environmental education, Outdoors.fi, Excursionmap.fi 15
Visitor facilities in numbers 24 Visitor Centres 16
Framework for development of PA network in Finland Updated National BD Strategy 2012-2020 approved in December 2012, National BD Action Plan in revision Saving Nature for People Finland aims to form a comprehensive, effectively managed, ecologically functional and representative protected area network that is part of the global protected area system and can buffer effects of climate change and adapt to it and maintains ecosystem services. CBD PoWPA Action Plan 17
Challenges of protected areas in Finland Completion and strengthening of the network of protected areas: legal establishment of areas already reserved for protection Further development of PA network Geographical distribution Representativeness Connectivity Implementation of actions that guarantee the fulfilment of Natura 2000 conservation goals Resources: monetary and human Development of PA network by voluntary protection Development of PA monitoring and planning systems Drafting, implementation and maintenance of management plans 18
Ongoing positive development processes The Forest Biodiversity Programme METSO 2008-2016 in Southern Finland National Strategy for Mires and Peatlands: protection of the most valuable mires and peatlands still in their natural states Attempts to put value on protected areas Local economic impact assessment Public health Ecosystem services More work needed 19