Improved and efficient restoration by controlled burning in boreal Western Taiga woodlands

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

Taiga – also known as boreal forest – is characterised by coniferous forests consisting mostly of pine, spruce and larch. Western Taiga - a specific habitat characterised by fire-adapted natural old pine forests - is found in 5 countries in the EU boreal biogeographic region, with 50% of the total in Sweden and 43% in Finland. According to the most recent figures (2020), Western Taiga habitat is in an unfavourable conservation status in all 5 countries. 

OBJECTIVES

Life2Taiga aims significantly to improve the conservation status of Western Taiga habitat in the boreal biogeographic region. The project will:

 

• support improvements in the Natura 2000 network by contributing to management and restoration measures in 165 Natura 2000 sites across Sweden and Finland
• improve important habitat structures and conservation status over approximately 6 140 hectares (ha) of Western Taiga in Sweden and Finland
• create substrates for 40 pyrophile (fire-dependent) organisms and other species which favour habitats affected by fire
• develop a collaborative habitat restoration platform to share knowledge and showcase tools and opportunities for replication among authorities, forestry companies and contractors in Sweden, Finland and neighbouring countries, whilst promoting controlled burning as a safe and efficient nature restoration method
• provide expert knowledge about fire behaviour in forests and collaborate with fire services to advance technical knowledge of using fire to suppress wildfires
• promote dialogue with Sami villages in 5 Swedish counties regarding the effects of fire on reindeer winter grazing land and the potential for replanting lichen
• increase acceptance of controlled burning by landowners, residents, visitors and the general public through high quality information and dialogue about the purpose and importance of controlled burning as a restoration management method, including risk responsibility and smoke management
• network with other at least 5 other LIFE and non-LIFE projects to share knowledge and experience about restoration methods, controlled fire techniques and project management
• use scientifically sound, reliable and efficient monitoring methods

RESULTS

The project’s expected results are:

 

1. enhanced conservation status and improvement of 6 140 ha of important habitat
2. 1 846 ha of currently unclassified habitat classified as Western Taiga habitat as a result of restoration
3. improved management and restoration measures in 165 Natura 2000 sites in Sweden and Finland
4. reintroduction of the pyrophile organism Pulsatilla vernalis at 2 of the project sites (at least 40 m2)
5. reinforcement of existing local populations of pyrophile organisms Pulsatilla patens and Pulsatilla vulgaris subsp. Gotlandica across 3 ha on 2 other project sites
6. a collaborative habitat restoration platform to share knowledge and showcase tools and opportunities for replication among stakeholders
7. best practice guidelines for controlled burning techniques and innovations
8. improved technical knowledge about the use of fire to suppress wildfires in Sweden and Finland
9. improved dialogue about the impacts of fire with Sami villages in 5 Swedish counties
10. increased acceptance of controlled burning among landowners, residents, visitors and the general public
11. networking with other at least 5 LIFE and non-LIFE projects
12. establishment of scientifically sound, reliable and efficient monitoring methods