Cross-border tools for biodiversity hotspots preservation via monitoring and prevention of forest fires along Russian-Finnish border (KA5051)
Funded by Karelia CBC 2014-2020

Objective of the project

The aim of the project is to develop practical tools for biodiversity hotspots preservation via mapping biodiversity values, monitoring and forecasting occurrence of forest fires and wood harvesting along the Russian-Finnish border.

Main activities

• To map current state of biodiversity “hotspots” and analyze their connectivity. • To evaluate the impact and value of existing connections between high conservation value forests and high forest fire risk areas on state of biodiversity in Republic of Karelia and North Karelia. • To develop new generation of forest fires forecasting tools utilizing meteorological data, remote sensing data and drying models. • To build online application tools for forest cover monitoring and risk forecasting along the border between Finland and Russia based on open data sources. • To pilot new methods for forest fires monitoring using unmanned aerial vehicles. • To develop effective co-operation networks of actors involved in forest management, nature conservation, forest fires protection. • To spread the information about good practices of forest management and monitoring for preventing loss of biodiversity.

Achievements