Natura 2000 Sites in Finland Are Part of an EU Network
The European Union aims to halt the loss of biodiversity in its member countries. One of the most important means to achieve this goal is the Natura 2000 network. In Finland, the network covers around five million hectares and is mostly based on already existing nature reserves.
The network also aims to protect the natural features which have not been conserved in the past. Examples of such natural features are underwater vegetation in the archipelago and along Finland’s coast, lakes, large rivers, small bodies of water, cliffs and cultural environments.
Most part of the network is managed by Metsähallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland as a part of its nature reserve network.
The Habitats Directive obliges the member states to protect an adequate sample of natural habitat types which are considered important in the EU. The Birds Directive obliges the member states to protect an adequate number of nesting sites and resting places during the migration for the bird species which are considered important in the EU.