Hydrology-LIFE-project

Majority of peatlands in Finland are severely degraded by forestry-drainage. Hydrology has been changed due extensive forestry actions and been ditched.

Hydrology LIFE project safeguards peatlands, small water bodies and important bird lakes in 103 Finnish Natura 2000 areas. These environments have undergone major changes in recent decades. The project works across the whole nation and affects to several local community and for larger cause, since wetlands are most threatened habitats in the world.

The main goal of this project is to improve water quality and flood control by restoring peatlands, improving the quality of peatland habitats and to increase awareness of the importance of wetlands for all. To raise awareness of these actions, effective and innovative communication methods are developed, such as a wetland simulator and material for teachers and nature centres.

Remote sensing tools in restoration monitoring

The project team is developing new methods to understand and monitor restoration actions and assess their impact on different hydrological and vegetation features.

In partnership with the University of Oulu, the impacts of peatland restoration are being examined on a long-term scale of 10 to 15 years. The impacts on the water quality of peatlands and drainage areas is monitored by hydrological measuring and analysing peat. The aim is also to find out how the remote sense mapping can benefit monitoring the impacts of restoration.

Ongoing climate change is altering the conditions already. Flooding in fall and lack of proper winter conditions is a challenge for our restoration work. More reasons to keep working to improve biodiversity and hydrological conditions!

Would you like to know more about these actions and the analysis of their impact?

Metsa.fi/en/project/hydrology-life/