Alarm Bells Ring for Finland’s Aquatic Biodiversity
Recent research has raised urgent concerns over the alarming decline in plant and animal populations within Finland’s extensive network of rivers, streams, and its vast collection of 188,000 lakes.
According to a study conducted by the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), over half of the aquatic species in certain areas have become increasingly rare. This includes species that were once quite common.
“In regions experiencing intensive land use, we are witnessing clearly detrimental impacts,” stated Anna Suuronen, a researcher at Syke, in an interview with Yle News. “For instance, in small streams impacted by forestry practices, we’ve seen a decline of over 50 percent in common species.” Suuronen further noted that while many lakes and rivers remain nearly pristine, the overall health of freshwater ecosystems varies dramatically across the region.
Suuronen co-authored a groundbreaking report released on Friday, which provides the first comprehensive assessment of biodiversity in Finland’s lakes and streams. The findings deliver a sobering reminder: Finland’s inland water biodiversity is in serious jeopardy, yet the report also outlines strategies for reversing this troubling trend.
Changing Fishing Habits
The decline in aquatic life is painfully evident to the fishing community as well. Juha Ojaharju, a fishing specialist with the Finnish Federation for Recreational Fishing (FFC), expressed concern based on feedback from their members. “Many anglers report that specific fish species are becoming increasingly scarce, prompting shifts in their fishing habits,” Ojaharju remarked.
He emphasized a growing trend towards responsible fishing, as many people are reluctant to target species deemed endangered. “Competition for dwindling resources has intensified, particularly in the salmon fishery,” Ojaharju added.
This report offers empirical support for the anecdotal experiences of those casting their lines in Finnish waters. “We gathered species data from thousands of water bodies and modeled the natural species composition. For the first time, we can evaluate species diversity at both national and regional levels,” Jukka Aroviita, the project’s lead researcher, explained.
Suuronen highlighted that certain forestry and farming practices contribute to the degradation of biodiversity. However, she is optimistic that improvements can be made through better land use planning and establishing effective buffer zones between cultivated fields and aquatic systems.
Environmental Consequences
The report illustrates particularly critical conditions in small streams of Central and Eastern Finland, where freshwater pearl mussels have suffered severe losses due to logging activities. “The extensive land modifications required for agriculture and forestry lead to runoff, which causes nutrient pollution and alters water quality. These changes can shift species composition and ultimately harm biodiversity,” Suuronen elaborated.
This decline extends beyond just fish populations; it impacts various benthic animals, including crustaceans, worms, and snails that reside at the bottom of lakes and rivers. The study also analyzed mosses, aquatic plants, phytoplankton, diatoms, and other algae.
The Value of Biodiversity
While the fluctuations in underwater ecosystems might seem abstract to some, their significance is profound. “The loss of a single aquatic invertebrate species may not seem pressing, but it has far-reaching repercussions. The decline in basic aquatic organisms directly affects fish populations and their diversity,” Ojaharju contended.
Suuronen underlined the importance of healthy freshwater systems, which provide essential services such as clean drinking water, opportunities for recreation, and substantial aesthetic and ecological value for nature enthusiasts. “Biodiversity holds intrinsic worth, and our inland waters are among our most vital natural resources,” she asserted.
A Call for Action
The report raises an urgent question: what steps can be taken to halt this decline? Suuronen suggests integrating biodiversity assessments into the planning and monitoring of water protection and conservation efforts. “Such initiatives could prevent ongoing biodiversity loss and aid in the restoration of damaged habitats,” she noted.
Effective land use planning is crucial to mitigate runoff from agricultural and forestry activities into water bodies, according to Syke scientists. They advocate for proper buffer zones to protect water quality by reducing nutrient influx.
Ojaharju concurs, asserting that a fundamental priority must be to significantly lessen the environmental pressure on waterways from agricultural and forestry practices, including removing fish migration barriers in rivers.
Reassessing Ecological Standards
Finland is currently gearing up for the national implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Law, aimed at combating biodiversity loss. Suuronen stresses that achieving meaningful outcomes requires redefining what constitutes a “good ecological status” for freshwater ecosystems to truly safeguard biodiversity.
“Our research indicates significant shifts in species prevalence, including declines affecting up to two-thirds of some populations, even in waterways marked as having good ecological status,” she stated.
In Suuronen’s view, the existing criteria should be reassessed and refined to enhance restoration goals.
The EU Nature Restoration Law mandates member states to rehabilitate at least 20 percent of their degraded land and sea areas by 2030, with a vision for restoring all degraded ecosystems by 2050. Implemented in August 2024, national restoration plans are due within two years, pressing Finland to submit its strategy by next summer.
In the face of this environmental crisis, the path forward remains uncertain, yet the call to action could not be clearer.