Ecological restoration improves the state of nature in Espoo

Ecological restoration is a way of restoring deteriorated natural sites to their natural state or as close to it as possible. At the same time, the living conditions of the species that thrive in the ecosystem will be improved and the loss of biodiversity will be prevented.

For example, trees growing in dry mires can be felled and used to block ditches. This will restore the mire to its damp state. Once the moisture level is as it should be, the flora, fauna and other species usually found in mires will return. Many habitats benefit from the removal of invasive species i.e. newcomers introduced to the habitat through to human activity. In meadows, for example, the removal of the lupin ensures that the natural species of the meadow have more space to grow.

Forests regenerate and ditches dug in mires gradually become blocked by themselves, without any human intervention. However, through restoration measures, this regeneration process and return of the habitat’s original characteristics be accelerated. Sometimes, even a single measure taken can trigger positive development in the habitat or accelerate the recovery of the habitat. Ideally, human-assisted restoration measures will not be needed in the future, as nature’s own processes will start up.

The management of Espoo’s forests aims to support such aspects of the forests that are known to benefit a wide range of different species. For example, a lot of decaying wood and dense scrubs will be allowed to remain in forests. In addition, small openings will be cleared in the forests so that the new generation of trees will have enough space and light to grow. In forests with only one tree species, the forest management work includes clearing space for the growing saplings of other tree species. This type of forest management is, in a sense, also nature restoration, because it increases biodiversity in otherwise unbalanced habitats.

Some nature sites are particularly sensitive to erosion. These include sites such as pine stands growing on rocks; the lichen found there cannot withstand trampling. In order to protect sensitive nature in the forests used for recreational activities, people are instructed to stay on the existing trails and routes.

Espoo has many rivers, streams and small ditches. Several of them have been significantly altered over the years. For example, water flowing in streams has been directed to pipes, and dams have been built in rivers. Such structures degrade the quality of water and affect the natural functions of the waterbody. The restoration of running waters has already achieved good results in places such as the river Gumbölenjoki. For example, a fishway was built on the eastern side of the Myllypato dam built in the river. Through the fishway, fish such as the endangered seat trout can pass the dam and swim upstream to spawn.

In the Nature-wise Espoo project, we work to determine how we can better secure and increase biodiversity. In connection with the work, a survey was carried out. It focused on which sites in Espoo would benefit from restoration measures. The examination was based on geographic information and it concerned forests, mires and running water in particular. The survey was used to form a preliminary understanding of the sites in Espoo that would benefit from restoration. The results can be used to support planning. They can also be used as the basis for things such as more detailed restoration plans.

Read more about the nature and nature conservation in Espoo.