Espoo's diverse forests and mires

Espoo is a rather forested city, as nearly 60% of its land area is forest. Large forest areas can be found in places such as Nuuksio, Pirttimäki, Luukki and Espoo Central Park. The majority of forests in Espoo are spruce- or pine-dominated peaty forests with some deciduous trees. There are also grove-like heaths and herb-rich forests. Small swamps are also a typical characteristic of Espoo’s nature.

Espoo’s numerous nature trails are an excellent opportunity to explore the forests and mires while enjoying the refreshing benefits of nature.

The extensive forest areas in northern Espoo are a mosaic of forests on rocky terrains, peaty forests and wooded mires. The species of old forests, lush meadows and verdant valleys, as well as numerous pond species, thrive in the rocky lake plateau. Several dozens of endangered species of animals, plants and fungi are found in the Nuuksio National Park.

The Espoo Central Park is an expansive nature area in the middle of Espoo and it consists of meadows, rocks and mires. It is also an important ecological corridor from the sea to northern Espoo. The majority of the Central Park is peaty forest rich in blueberry shrubs, dotted with pine-dominated rocky ridges, lush groves and open meadows.

A large number of different plant and animal species live in our diverse forests. A considerable portion of Finland's endangered species live in forests – especially in increasingly rare old, natural forests. In order to ensure the survival of forest species, forest areas cannot become isolated patches due to, for example, construction. Fragmentation of forests can be prevented by ensuring that green areas are connected to one another and that the ecological corridors between the areas are maintained. Taking this into account is an important part of nature conservation and urban planning.

The largest animals found in the forests of Espoo are the white-tailed deer and the roe deer, which are common in Espoo, and the majestic elk, of course. There are some lynx living in the forests of northern Espoo, and even bears pay occasional visits. Droppings of the endangered flying squirrel can be found in many places, even in southern Espoo, but seeing the large-eyed animal itself is rare. Of the many bat species, the whiskered bat is the most common.

Many birds, such as the regionally endangered wood grouse, the Eurasian three-toed woodpecker and the red-breasted flycatcher, need undisturbed natural forests. The more rugged rock pine stands offer an ideal habitat for the European nightjar and the woodlark. Many insects, other small animals and a wide range of plants and fungi thrive undetected in the shadows of the forest. The extremely endangered green-shield moss has also been spotted around Espoo.

Forests provide all Espoo residents with refreshing nature experiences. In addition, the forests produce many other benefits – so-called ecosystem services. For example, greenspaces prevent floods, purify water and absorb carbon. You can also pick berries and mushrooms from forests. You can learn more about the interesting outdoor destinations in Espoo on the Explore nature page.
 

In Espoo, as elsewhere in Finland, about half of mires have been drained. Thus, conservation of the remaining habitats is of paramount importance. The most common wetland type in Espoo is the swamp, followed by spruce bogs and peat bogs. They are primarily oligotrophic raised bogs and sedge-dominated marshes. In the depths of our mires, there are glimpses of the past: researchers have found things such as water chestnut nuts even though the plant has not grown here in thousands of years.

As the number of natural bogs has dropped, their native species have also become endangered. The endangered bog species found in Espoo include the oblong-leaved sundew, the marsh helleborine and the moss species Herzogiella turfacea. The red-throated diver and the dark whiteface, which is strictly protected under the EU Habitats Directive, favour bog-edged ponds. Many of the most valuable mires in Espoo are protected by law. These include Tremanskärr, Pitkäsuo in Luukki and the peat bogs and water meadows of Matalajärvi. Many other regionally valuable wetlands also exist in Espoo.
 

A relatively large portion of Espoo is protected forest area – about 12%, including the Nuuksio National Park. Maintaining biodiversity in forests is important and can be done by, for example, preserving old trees, thickets and decaying wood. A countless number of organisms take shelter and live in them. The City of Espoo promotes the conservation of forests and mires in many ways. More information about different conservation measures is available on the Nature conservation in Espoo page.

The purpose of the forest management in Espoo is to preserve a diverse forest environment where people, plants and animals can thrive. In Espoo, forest management is based on the principles of sustainable forest management: forests have trees of different ages and species, as well as decayed wood. These kinds of urban forests provide important habitats for species that depend on old forests. Forests rich in biodiversity are also more resilient and better adapted to climate change. However, recreational forests are not in their natural state, as they have long been utilised as commercial forests or agricultural lands.

The management of the forests owned by the city is the responsibility of the Public Works Department.