PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Nuuksio National Park was established in 1994, northwest of Helsinki. Its habitats consist of ecologically valuable coniferous and mixed forests, swamps, bogs and more than 100 lakes and ponds. Flora and fauna include 31 species listed in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), or Annex I of the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC). In Finland, 51 species are listed as endangered by the on the national Red Book. These include the flagship species, the Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans), a specialist mammal typical for taiga forest which, within the European Union, is only found in Finland. It is a priority species included in Annex II of the Habitats Directive. Nuuksio boasts the densest known population of flying squirrels in Finland. The great challenge for conservation management there is the area's proximity to large cities, which means that it is a favourite destination for people wanting to get outdoors. This offers opportunities for environmental education (school excursions etc.) but also raises problems (including disturbance and active leisure pursuits). Furthermore, the national park covering part of the area is new and much needs to be done to restore sections damaged by past activities, whilst the remainder of Nuuksio is still open to intensive forestry use that threatens flying squirrel habitats.
OBJECTIVES
The central aim of the project was to integrate nature protection, outdoor recreation, environmental education and forestry by developing and implementing a management master plan. Practical implementation would begin through land purchase (100-200 ha), starting up a team of rangers and nature guides, information to visitors and schools, trails and other measures to channel access, and consultation with and advice to forest owners to encourage logging in ways more compatible with flying squirrel requirements. Work to restore and maintain damaged habitats would be carried out. Forest fires would be used as a means to regenerate certain forest biotopes.
RESULTS
Detailed studies were undertaken and a master plan was produced, not just for the benefit of flying squirrels, but for a wide range of species and habitats. An area of 209.4 ha was purchased (this was complemented with 255 ha bought using national funds and 605 ha that was swapped - not part of LIFE). Habitat restoration was carried out including:
Clearance of afforested meadows (3 ha);
Mowing meadows (3 ha);
Restoration of drained peatlands (30 ha);
750 m of streams were restored;
Planted conifers in broadleaf forests were removed (3 ha);
Some 15 ha of forest were burned under controlled conditions to simulate a forest fire – but this was problematic.
Other project actions included the setting up of a 2 km nature trail and the creation of an exhibition (attracting 7000 visitors). By the end of the project, 1 500 pupils were coming to the park each year to receive environmental education. In addition, 15 eco-tourism companies became established (not directly as a result of the project, but because of the popularity of a well-managed park). A ranger wardened nest sites, managed habitat areas and visitor access – he was employed by the park after the end of the project.Detailed studies were undertaken and a master plan was produced, not just for the benefit of flying squirrels, but for a wide range of species and habitats. An area of 209.4 ha was purchased (this was complemented with 255 ha bought using national funds and 605 ha that was swapped - not part of LIFE). Habitat restoration was carried out including:
Clearance of afforested meadows (3 ha);
Mowing meadows (3 ha);
Restoration of drained peatlands (30 ha);
750 m of streams were restored;
Planted conifers in broadleaf forests were removed (3 ha);
Some 15 ha of forest were burned under controlled conditions to simulate a forest fire – but this was problematic.
Other project actions included the setting up of a 2 km nature trail and the creation of an exhibition (attracting 7000 visitors). By the end of the project, 1 500 pupils were coming to the park each year to receive environmental education. In addition, 15 eco-tourism companies became established (not directly as a result of the project, but because of the popularity of a well-managed park). A ranger wardened nest sites, managed habitat areas and visitor access – he was employed by the park after the end of the project.