Green Belt of Fennoscandia | February | 2018 Nature conservation in cross-border cooperation Natural biodiversity in Russia is important to nature in Finland. Tuomo Brjörksten, Ministry of the Environment Tuomo Nature knows no national borders. The natural habitats of various species may exist in several countries, and the borders mark lines in Green Belt of the ecosystems. Various species will also move across national borders Fennoscandia when they seek new habitats in the changing climate. The Green Belt of Fennoscan- dia is a chain of existing and planned nature protection Old biologically diverse forests, The effects of the loss of of several countries for nature areas in the border areas of mires, and water systems exist natural biodiversity have and the use of natural resourc- Finland, Norway, and Russia. in the vicinity of the borders of been compared to climate es. Even the administrative The countries cooperate to change. Finland, Russia, and Norway. priorities, resources, and oper- develop connectivity between ating methods vary between the protected areas. Some of these have maintained Ecological corridors are vital countries. The objectives and their natural state as they are means for securing biodiversi- The cooperation is based on not actively used due to their Many of the nearby nature are- ty on both sides of each border the memorandum of under- remote location. Today, many as function as part of ecologi- must be reconciled through standing signed by representa- valuable nature areas are pro- cal corridors across borders, dialogue. tives of the countries, and is tected on all sides of the bor- which ultimately connect to included in the implementa- ders. However, there are valu- extensive forest areas in Rus- Environmental cooperation tion of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. able habitats even outside such sia. The spread across borders often acts as a channel for protected areas. applies to mammals as well neighbours with different The cooperation aims to make as micro-organisms and poly- cultures to cooperate and the Green Belt into a model of Nature needs protection pores in decaying wood. Finn- reach common goals. The cross-border nature conserva- ish nature can benefit signifi- environmental cooperation tion cooperation and increase Changes in land use and other cantly from the diversity of between Finland and Russia the national and international kinds of human activity weaken species and vitality of nature has continued regardless of awareness of the area. The the habitats of various species. areas behind national borders. the general political situation Green Belt of Fennoscandia is There are many threatened bio- between the EU and Russia. the northernmost part of the topes and species in eastern The environment connects Green Belt of Europe. Fennoscandia. Nature’s abil- www.ym.fi/en-US/Inter- ity to produce versatile benefits In border areas, safeguarding national_cooperation/ www.europeangreenbelt.org Green_Belt_of_Fennoscandia to humans is also weakening. natural biodiversity meets the values and expectations Green Belt of Fennoscandia February | 2018 High conservation value forests (HCVFs) in northern Finland and Sweden and northwestern Russia may act as part of ecological corridors across borders. Source: Kuhmonen, A. et al., 2017. areas are recommended to be included in nature reserves. The living conditions of vari- ous groups of organisms outside the PAs can be main- tained or improved through improved planning of forestry management measures. For example, imitating forest fires may create habitats favour- able for certain species. Nature conservation across borders in However, species are differ- ent. Much more information is the changing climate required on the habitat require- ments of various species and Climate change creates risks to the nature protection area (PA) network, but at the the significance of ecologi- same time the reserves offer possibilities for adaptation. The sustainability of the use of cal cross-border corridors, for natural resources also plays an important role in biodiversity conservation. example, in order to achieve sustainable solutions. Finnish- Russian research cooperation The core of the Green Belt satile and extensive natural protecting the remaining high is important, and both coun- which runs along the border reserve networks. In Finland, conservation value forests. tries have plenty of research of Finland, Russia, and Nor- such a network has been devel- The most significant forest materials yet unutilised. way is created by the network oped through voluntary forest of existing and planned PAs. protection (the METSO Forest The northern location of the Biodiversity Programme). The Research needs from climate change network makes it and the state has also founded new species in it vulnerable to the PAs in its own land. The changing climate also creates challenges for the warming climate. network of reserves. In order to secure the functionality Nature protection areas are of the network, more information is needed on the Therefore, the PA network often small in area. In order following topics, for example: and its functionality must be to secure the habitats for vari- re-examined and developed ous species, the areas outside • How well do cross-border • How well do the cross-bor- in order to adapt to climate the PAs should also be con- ecological corridors function der ecological connections change. The development of sidered, and the ecological as channels of movement work in the protection of the the network may also alleviate connections between reserves and spreading of various variety of species in old high the negative effects of climate developed. groups of species in the conservation value forests? change on Finnish nature. changing climate? • Where along the Green Belt Versatile range of means • How well connected are the of Fennoscandia should the Note on ecological ecological corridors, and for foundation of new reserves connectivity Based on the information which groups of species? or the restoration of existing collected from forests and • What are the possible ones be prioritised, where International agreements nature protection areas in bottlenecks in the spreading is more information needed such as the UN Convention on Sweden, Finland, and north- of species? for land use planning? Biological Diversity obligate western Russia, experts have the signatories to form ver- drafted recommendations for Source: Aapala, K. et al., 2017. Green Belt of Fennoscandia February | 2018 Development of the Green Belt The strategy for the develop- ment of the Green Belt of Fen- noscandia by 2020 defines common goals for the coope- ration of Finland, Norway, and Russia in the development of the Green Belt, and the implementation of the related memorandum of understanding. The strategy includes Biodiversity is important for six goals the health and well-being of Biodiversity supports sustainable people and regional vitality. development and well-being 1. The network of nature reserves and the ecological connectedness have been developed on the zone within three countries in picker: Markus Sirkka Canoeist: Markus Sirkka, Snowshoer: Ari Meriruoko, Mushroom Ministry of the Environment: Pictures order to secure biodiversity and a sufficient level of connectedness in the north to south and east to west directions. 2. Trilateral research coop- eration for studying the natural biodiversity, climate change, culture, and social well-being within the Green Belt has increased. Finnish and foreign tourists alike are drawn to the Green Belt near the Means of livelihood based on nature employ the 3. Financial and regional border by the tranquillity of nature, amazing landscapes, and versatile local people and offer them new business opportu- development, based on camping opportunities, as well as the forests full of berries and mush- nities. The sustainability of nature tourism in the rooms, and the fishing and hunting possibilities. The cultural heritage state’s reserves in Finland is actively secured. the utilisation of people’s of the border areas also has a strong connection to nature in the area. resources and ecosystem services on the Green Belt, has been strengthened and made increasingly The regional economic effects of nature protection areas on the Green Belt in Finland, 2017 sustainable. Gross income effect (MEUR) Number of visits 4. Means of livelihood based Hiidenportti national park 0,6 12 300 on the nature and cultural Hossa national park 5,6 124 000 heritage on the Green Belt Eastern Gulf of Finland national park 0,7 16 400 have been strengthened. Koli national park 21,5 203 400 Linnansaari national park 2,6 33 000 5. Cross-border cooperation in the Green Belt network Oulanka national park 18,8 199 000 has been accelerated. Patvinsuo national park 0,3 14 200 Petkeljärvi national park 0,8 16 200 6. All of the actors are well Pyhä–Luosto national park 13,3 149 100 aware of the unique Repovesi national park 4,2 172 000 nature and geological diver- Riisitunturi national park 4,9 33 000 sity in the Green Belt area, Urho Kekkonen national park 36,6 334 700 and the related protection required. Valkmusa national park 0,1 169 00 Total 110,0 1 324 200 The local financial effects and numbers of visits of national parks within the Green Belt in 2017 (Metsähallitus 2018). Green Belt of Fennoscandia February | 2018 Recommendations for mainstreaming the protection of natural biodiversity on the Green Belt • The building of trust in relationships across borders must be supported and fostered. • Participatory practices, such as workshops, must be developed and applied for commit- ting local organisations in the operations. • Trilateral coordination must be secured for the operations in the Green Belt, and the net- working of the operators must be supported. • The cooperation of research, the business sector, and authorities must be developed in order to promote the sustainable use of natural resources on the Green Belt. • The use of the existing means for biodiver- sity conservation must be emphasised in the vicinity of recognised cross-border ecological corridors.