Biodiversity Index
Metsähallitus uses a biodiversity index to monitor the status of biodiversity on state lands. The index describes trends in structural features important for biodiversity, including the volume of decaying wood, as well as the impact of actions aiming to preserve and enhance biodiversity, such as preservation of ecological sites and restoration work.
The index shows trends in biodiversity
The biodiversity index comprises five indicators:
- Status assessment of Natura 2000 land habitats
- Consideration of ecological sites in fellings
- Surface area of restoration measures (ha)
- Volume of decaying wood (m³/ha)
- Volume of mature aspens (m³/ha).
The index indicates whether biodiversity is deteriorating (1) or improving (5) on state-owned lands and in private nature reserves.
We aim for continuous improvement
The biodiversity index value was 3.91 in 2020 and 3.84 in 2019. The index value has improved every year since 2016.
The biodiversity index and its development (on a scale of 1 to 5) on state-owned lands from 2018 to 2020.
| Indicator | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natura 2000 land habitat status | 3.90 | 3.90 | 3.82 |
| Consideration of ecological sites in fellings | 4.87 | 5.00 | 5.00 |
| Surface area of restoration measures (ha) | 3.81 | 4.06 | 5.00 |
| Volume of decaying wood (m³/ha) | 2.13 | 2.13 | 2.25 |
| Volume of mature aspens (m³/ha) | 4.00 | 4.00 | 3.5 |
| BIODIVERSITY INDEX | 3.74 | 3.82 | 3.91 |
Of all index areas in 2020, we did the best in consideration of ecological sites in fellings as well as increase in the surface area of restoration measures and ecological management.
The lowest index value was registered in the volume of decaying wood. Improving this figure has been set as the goal for the following years.