Designated terrestrial protected areas

Strictly protected nature reserves and wilderness areas cover about 13 % of Finland’s land area. The area of protected areas has remained steady in Finland. Most protected areas are in sparsely populated and species-poor northern Finland. In southern Finland, most protected areas are small and, for example, only about 3 % of forests have been protected in southern Finland, while in northern Finland 20 % of forests are protected. The greatest threats to biodiversity come from forestry. In rural agricultural areas, grazing-based small-scale meadows and other traditional biotopes have decreased. Overall, the decline in biodiversity has not been stopped in Finland. About 12 % of Finland’s species are threatened. Ensuring biodiversity requires a comprehensive network of protected areas in southern Finland and additional measures outside protected areas. If the current trend continues, the target of halting biodiversity loss by 2030 will not be achieved.