Finnish Ecosystem Observatory – A National Model for the Production, Synthesis, and Utilization of Biodiversity Data : Final Report of the Finnish Ecosystem Observatory Project

The significance of biodiversity information in society has markedly increased as we enter the 2020s. The biodiversity and functioning of ecosystems are understood as prerequisites for an ecologically sustainable society, nature conservation, sustainable use of natural resources, and the transition to a green economy. International biodiversity agreements, the European Union's biodiversity strategy, as well as national and local decision-making in both public and private sectors, demand increasingly precise, up-to-date, and comprehensive information about nature.

The Finnish Ecosystem Observatory project (FEO, 2020–2024) mapped the current state of biodiversity and ecosystem monitoring in Finland. The project investigated the use of field observations, remote sensing, eDNA, and other molecular biological methods, as well as modeling-based monitoring methods, and assessed their future potential uses. In Finland, there are 86 different systematic species monitoring schemes covering the entire country as a starting point. With the exception of the most abundant habitat types, the development of habitat types is not currently systematically monitored, which has been identified as a particular deficiency for reporting under the Habitats Directive and assessing the conservation status of habitat types. For habitat types, general field monitoring is proposed to be initiated. Ecosystem process monitoring is mainly based on combining observations from intensive measurement stations with environmental variables through modeling.

Biodiversity data sets obtained through remote sensing were produced from satellite data and laser scanning data. During the project, the following data streams were piloted: i) simultaneous interpretation of habitats in northern Finland; ii) further processing of laser scanning data; iii) utilization of the cloud platform (Sentinel Hub) in biodiversity data production; iv) utilization of the computing environment in habitat type data production. The use of mapping in assessing ecosystem conditions was tested, for example, with regard to Aapa mires.

To improve the availability, findability, and interoperability of biodiversity data, a Nature Information website was created, providing comprehensive information on nature and habitat types. The new site also provides an overview of our country's biodiversity and ecosystem monitoring, as well as other data-aggregating web services, such as the revamped and automated Nature State Indicators, and the online Red List of Habitat Types, which compiles information on the conservation status assessment of habitat types into digital form. Additionally, old paper-based habitat type data sets were digitized into GIS format, and previously unpublished habitat type occurrence data sets were published. A description of the overall architecture for habitat type data was also compiled. The project also investigated possible solutions for more efficient utilization of municipal biodiversity information and tested a digital platform for storing biodiversity surveys.

Supported by the FEO project, the National Coordination Group for Biodiversity Information (Lukki) was established, with the aim of promoting a national biodiversity information development program for 2024-2035. Through this collaboration model between producers and users of biodiversity data, comprehensive monitoring, assessment, and research of habitats are supported, along with the management of related information.