PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Forests are key sources of ecosystem services - that is, the benefits obtained from ecosystems - such as soil and erosion protection, biomass production, water and carbon cycle regulation. Several insect species (saproxylic and pyrophilous), whose primary habitats are boreal forests and bog woodlands, have unfavourable-inadequate conservation status in Finland. Saproxylic insect species feed or are otherwise reliant on dead and decaying wood at some point in their life cycle. Pyrophilous ('fire-loving') insects respond to smoke and heat generated by forest fires.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of Beetles Life was to improve the conservation status of saproxylic and pyrophilous insect species inhabiting boreal forests and bog woodlands in Finland. The species targeted were: Pytho kolwensis, Boros schneideri, Phryganophilus ruficollis, Stephanopachys linearis, Stephanopachys substriatus, Xyletinus tremulicola, Cucujus cinnaberinus and Aradus angularis. The project restored existing forest habitats as well as potential habitats, encouraging the development of natural features. This involved controlled burning, simulations of storm damage or other controlled damage to increase the amount of decaying wood in Western Taiga (9010). Bog woodland (91D0) was restored by blocking ditches and removing trees to increase the water retention.
Beetles Life also aimed to minimise the negative effect of fragmentation of the target species' primary habitats. Raising awareness about the insects was another important goal. Long term, the best conservation measures were promoted as part of detailed action plans for the species in question, to transfer the best working practices to key stakeholders.
The project supported the implementation of the Habitats Directive through its work to improve the conservation status of the species targeted, with active management of the insects' habitats and their connectivity.
RESULTS
The project has been completed with the original objectives reached (all deviations have been accepted by the Agency in the course of the project):
- Restoration plans were finished. Two habitat data updates and cultural heritage values inventoried from 8 sites. Supplementary species inventories completed.
- Target species action plans (8) for all target species were completed in English and Finnish.
- Forest attribute and amount of coarse woody debris maps were completed based on airborne laser scanning. Total coverage 1600 ha.
- Privately-owned nature conservation area, Tuohikarpionharjun luonnonsuojelualue (40 ha), was established 11/2020 to improve the habitat of C. cinnaberinus.
- Restoration of bog woodland by filling in ditches was executed as planned totalling 295 ha.
- Burning operation were accomplished in 345 ha but with delay due to restrictions posed by weather conditions.
- Production of dead wood was accomplished totalling 144 ha.
- Promoting aspen for C. cinnaberinus and X. tremulicola by making canopy gaps 6 sites of 162 ha was completed; of which outside of N2000 84 ha.
- Trees removal was performed at the sites, totalling 168 ha.
- Monitoring was performed in all related restoration areas and the reporting completed in July 2023.
- Monitoring of target species was accomplished successfully by July 2023 by using several species-specific methods.
