Valuable Natural Habitat Types
EU Habitats Directive includes 69 valuable natural habitat types in Finland, 22 of which are in need of special protection. Natura 2000 areas are established to conserve the valuable natural habitat types. Metsähallitus manages most part of Natura 2000 Network, and therefore it has a particular responsibility for conservation of the natural habitat types which are considered important by the EU.
In the beginning, Metsähallitus collects data on the sites and representativeness of the natural habitats as a part of a project, and it aims for conserving natural habitat types by active nature management and restoration measures.
Metsähallitus also takes part in the assessment of threatened habitat types in Finland, coordinated by the Finnish Environment Institute. Its aim is to indicate which habitat types can be classified as “threatened”, “near threatened” or “data deficient” in Finland.