
	Hydrology LIFE - Restoring the hydrological integrity of wetland habitats in Finland LIFE16 NAT/FI/000583

Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more Print PDF version

Contact details:

Contact person: Tuomas HAAPALEHTO
Email: tuomas.haapalehto@metsa.fi

Project description:

Background

During the last few decades, more than 60% of Finland’s original peatland area has been drained for forestry. This serious habitat degradation has been most intensive in southern and central Finland, where only 25% of the original peatlands remains. Drainage also decreases the quality of undrained peatlands, by lowering the water table level of the entire mire complex. The result is loss of peatland species, most often caused by alterations in hydrology and increased tree cover. Ditches are often located on the edges of Natura 2000 network sites. Finland is the most lake-rich country in the EU. In many lakes, natural water level has been lowered because ditches and rivulets have been turned into straight channels, which has negative effects for ecosystems. Lakes have the ability to store water and thus to reduce water level fluctuations downstream, especially during floods. Drainage as a result of large-scale forestry since 1960 has lowered water levels upstream of a vast number of lakes. The loss of open water areas is the main concern for managers of many bird wetland lakes. Open water areas in vegetated areas are important features of the bird wetlands and necessary for the sites to remain a suitable nesting and feeding habitat.

Objectives

The Hydrology LIFE project aims to:

Improve the quality of peatland habitats listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive, by restoring peatlands and small water (headwater) systems in 103 Natura 2000 network sites;
Improve water quality and flood control by filling in ditches and removing trees on peatlands, raising the water table on lakes, and restoring streams;
Improve the quality of bird wetland habitats by increasing mosaic structure, with more open areas suitable for nesting and feeding; and
Increase the awareness of wetlands and the Natura 2000 network by disseminating information through diverse media and by developing cooperation between restoration activities and forestry ditch network maintenance.

Expected results:

Restoration plans (87) elaborated for 5 345 ha within 87 Natura 2000 network sites;
Supplementary species inventories at 55 sites (500 ha), supplementary biotope inventories at 24 sites (2 214 ha), inventories for 13 streams, and cultural heritage inventories at five sites (5 ha);
Five pilot sites and radar data used in ditch network maintenance for improving water quality in the catchment areas of Natura 2000 network sites;
Preparatory training in bird wetland and stream restoration for nature conservation officers, and 10 training sessions for forestry planners and landowners on water management for improving Natura 2000 sites;
161 ha of new nature conservation areas at two sites;
Peatland restored at 95 sites (5 239 ha), including in commercial forests (246 ha);
Five volunteer camps organised;
Trees removed from 1 321.5 ha to enable peatland restoration;
Streams restored at 15 sites (34 km), water table on lakes raised at 14 sites (479 ha);
Dredging done in four bird lakes increasing mosaic structure on 21 ha;
Improved guidelines for peatland restoration and utilisation of new monitoring methods;
Reports on water quality and vegetation 10-15 years after restoration, on effects of peatland restoration on protected bats, on bird lake restoration monitoring, and on socio-economic impacts and ecosystem functions after restoration;
Training for journalists on wetland issues; and
‘Wetland venture learning’ concept produced for nature centres.

Results

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Environmental issues addressed:

Themes

Habitats - Freshwater
Habitats - Forests
Habitats - Bogs and Mires

Keywords

wetland‚ nature conservation‚ voluntary work‚ management plan‚ restoration measure‚ flood control‚ monitoring

Target EU Legislation

Nature protection and Biodiversity
Directive 92/43 - Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora- Habitats Directiv ...
COM(95) 189 - "Communication on the judicious use and conservation of wetlands" (12.12.1995)

Target Habitat types

7110 - Active raised bogs
7140 - Transition mires and quaking bogs
7160 - Fennoscandian mineral-rich springs and springfens
7230 - Alkaline fens
7310 - Aapa mires
9050 - Fennoscandian herb-rich forests with Picea abies
9110 - Luzulo-Fagetum beech forests
91D0 - Bog woodland
3160 - Natural dystrophic lakes and ponds
3210 - Fennoscandian natural rivers
3260 - Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation

Natura 2000 sites

SPA FI0600052 Riistaveden lintujärvet

SPA FI0700003 Päätyeenlahti

SPA FI1001014 Heikinjärvenneva

SCI FI1101405 Rimpijärvi-Uusijärvi

SCI FI1101645 Oulanka

SCI FI1103816 Sammalharju

SCI FI1103829 Olvassuo

SCI FI1104402 Kansanneva-Kurkineva-Muurainsuo

SCI FI0100022 Finnträskin vanhat metsät

SCI FI0100040 Nuuksio

SCI FI0100056 Kalkkilammi-Sääksjärvi

SCI FI0100066 Sipoonkorpi

SCI FI0200003 Stormossen

SCI FI0200009 Lastensuo

SCI FI0200010 Hyyppärän harjualue

SCI FI0200014 Rimpisuo-Siikelisuo

SCI FI0200018 Mankaneva

SCI FI0200021 Haapakeidas

SCI FI0200024 Hämeenkangas

SCI FI0200078 Pinkjärvi

SCI FI0200084 Kurjenrahka

SCI FI0200086 Teijon ylänkö

SCI FI0200109 Maisaarensuo

SCI FI0200163 Porsmusan suo

SCI FI0311002 Seitseminen

SCI FI0336004 Häädetkeidas

SCI FI0336006 Puurokeidas-Hannankeidas

SCI FI0341003 Helvetinjärvi

SCI FI0341008 Siikaneva

SCI FI0355007 Närhineva-Koroluoma

SCI FI0401005 Enäsuo

SCI FI0416001 Valkmusa

SCI FI0500074 Savonsuo

SCI FI0600010 Vaikkojoki, Vaikon vanhat metsät ja Aitalamminsuo

SCI FI0600013 Laakajärven metsät ja suot sekä Suurisuo

SCI FI0600014 Vahtisuo ja lähistön vanhat metsät

SCI FI0600015 Keurunmäki-Haavikkolehto

SCI FI0600018 Saarisuo-Kurkisuo

SCI FI0600022 Rahkasuo

SCI FI0600024 Valkeiskylän ja Ventojoen metsät

SCI FI0600026 Matalasuo-Hyvärilänsuo

SCI FI0600034 Löytynsuon-Maamonsuon alue

SCI FI0600071 Tiilikan alue

SCI FI0600072 Kuikkasuo ja Suurisuo

SCI FI0600076 Pisa-Kypäräinen

SCI FI0600079 Ruohosuo

SCI FI0700012 Polvelan luontokokonaisuus

SCI FI0700045 Ruunaa

SCI FI0700046 Mujejärvi

SCI FI0700056 Ukonsärkän alueen vanhat metsät

SCI FI0700068 Paistinvaaran alueen vanhat metsät

SCI FI0700071 Partiissuo

SCI FI0800001 Lauhanvuori

SCI FI0800002 Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas (SPA)

SCI FI0800015 Varisneva

SCI FI0800087 Peränevanholma

SCI FI0900002 Oksalan Isosuo - Miehinkäisensuo

SCI FI0900008 Sallistensuo

SCI FI0900019 Kälkäsuo-Lehmusuo

SCI FI0900041 Keskisenlampi-Riionlampi

SCI FI0900057 Seläntauksen suot

SCI FI0900061 Varisvuori-Louhukangas-Saukonlähde

SCI FI0900069 Pyhä-Häkin alue

SCI FI0900073 Valkeisenjärvi-Särkilampi-Utusuo

SCI FI0900074 Haapasuo-Syysniemi-Rutajärvi-Kivijärvi

SCI FI0900077 Onkisalo-Herjaanselkä

SCI FI0900087 Pohjoisjärven metsä

SCI FI0900093 Haukisuo-Härkäsuo-Kukkoneva

SCI FI0900109 Vesilahdensuo-Kurkisuo

SCI FI0900123 Pihlajavesi ja yläjuoksun pienvedet

SCI FI0900126 Kärppäjärven alue

SCI FI1001001 Pilvineva

SCI FI1001004 Kivinevan alue

SCI FI1001005 Lestijoen yläjuoksu ja Paukaneva

SCI FI1001012 Linjasalmenneva

SCI FI1001013 Salamajärvi

SCI FI1002001 Tervaneva-Sivakkaneva-Pitkäkangas

SCI FI1002013 Pesäneva

SCI FI1101002 Veneneva-Pelso

SCI FI1102000 Loukkuneva-Isoneva

SCI FI1104404 Kinkerisaarenneva

SCI FI1105406 Metsäkylä

SCI FI1200052 Tulisuon - Varpusuon alue

SCI FI1200216 Isosuo - Koirasuo ympäristöineen

SCI FI1200221 Teerisuon - Lososuon alue

SCI FI1200223 Jonkerinsalon alue

SCI FI1200300 Kivesvaaran ja Keräsenvaaran lehdot ja letot

SCI FI1200721 Sydänmaanaro

SCI FI1200805 Sarvisuo - Jerusaleminsuo

SCI FI1300401 HAIKARA-AAPA-VITSIKKOAAPA

SCI FI1300605 LOUKISEN LATVASUOT

SCI FI1301205 SIMOJÄRVI

SCI FI1301208 SOPPANA

SCI FI1301316 Herankaira

SCI FI1301507 Sieriäisten harjulammet

SCI FI1301603 VEITTIAAPA

SCI FI1301706 Viiankiaapa

SCI FI0700043 Koitajoen alue

SCI FI0900031 Peuralamminneva

SCI FI1300907 Kemihaaran suot

SCI FI0600110 Pitkäsuo - Särkäntakanen

SCI FI0700094 Jorhonkorpi

SCI FI0700139 Suolamminvaara-Tervasuo

SCI FI0800003 Kauhaneva - Pohjankangas (SCI)

SCI FI1105401 Lauttasuo

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Beneficiaries:

Coordinator	Metshallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland
Type of organisation	Park-Reserve authority
Description	Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland (MHPWF) is a public authority responsible for managing most of the state-owned areas in Finland (over 7 million ha), including protected areas and national hiking areas. This involves the protection of habitats and species in protected areas (terrestrial, freshwater and marine), through inventories, restoration and management activities, and their subsequent monitoring.
Partners	Suomen metsäkeskus, Finland Jyvaskylan yliopisto, Finland North Savo Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, Finland Tapio Oy, Finland UO(University of Oulu), Finland Luonnonvarakeskus (Natural Resources Institute Finland), Finland Metsähallitus Forestry Ltd, Finland Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Central Finland, Finland University of Turku, Finland

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Administrative data:

Project reference	LIFE16 NAT/FI/000583
Duration	01-AUG-2017 to 31-DEC -2023
Total budget	8,874,132.00 €
EU contribution	5,324,481.00 €
Project location	Uusimaa(Finland Suomi) Varsinais-Suomi(Finland Suomi) Satakunta(Finland Suomi) Häme(Finland Suomi) Pirkanmaa(Finland Suomi) Päijät-Häme(Finland Suomi) Kymenlaakso(Finland Suomi) Etelä-Karjala(Finland Suomi) Etelä-Savo(Finland Suomi) Pohjois-Savo(Finland Suomi) Pohjois-Karjala(Finland Suomi) Kainuu(Finland Suomi) Keski-Suomi(Finland Suomi) Etelä-Pohjanmaa(Finland Suomi) Vaasan rannikkoseutu(Finland Suomi) Keski-Pohjanmaa(Finland Suomi) Pohjois-Pohjanmaa(Finland Suomi) Lappi(Finland Suomi) Ahvenanmaa/Åland(Finland Suomi) Baltic Sea Suomi (SF)(Finland Suomi)

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Project web site	Project's website
Video link	Restoring the valuble wetlands in Finlanf: Hydrology LIFE 2017-2023 [EN - 2'47] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN527h2h7mY
Video link	"Restoring the valuble wetlands in Finland: Hydrology LIFE 2017-2023" [EN - 3'06]

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Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more Print PDF version