The impact of the Russian-Karelian wilderness areas on the animal populations of the old forest of Kainuu
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The purpose of the project was to use the moth population as an indicator of how the vast primeval forests beyond the eastern Finnish border affect the ability of the Kainuu preservation areas, in order to maintain the vibrant animal populations of the old forest. The intention was also to improve the cooperation between Kainuu and North Karelia/White Sea Karelia in nature tourism and to protect the sustainability of distant regions on both sides of the border.

Main activities

• Conduction of research, collecting of the information on extensive moth material • Monitoring the bird populations, • Recording the information in a database

Achievements

The research was conducted in accordance with the plan, and the project also collected large amounts of target-specific information about nature. The extensive moth material was collected with feed-traps, bird populations were counted extensively with the flight-line method, and the results were recorded in a database. A regional analysis on the forest nature was also purchased from he Finnish Forest Research Institute. Upon the analysis of the research results, it became evident that both the moth and bird populations were strongest by the eastern border in Kainuu and that the border region plays a key role in preserving the versatility of the nature of the border region and developing nature tourism. The results corresponded with the expectations and confirmed the situation as per the ecological theories. The results of the project were presented in an easy-to-read book called "Venäjän Karjalan erämaa-alueiden vaikutus Kainuun vanhan metsän eläinpopulaatioihin" (The Impact of the Russian-Karelian Wilderness Areas on the Animal Populations of the Old Forest of Kainuu). The book consists of separate extensive articles about the bird and moth populations and a summary, which examines the development opportunities of specialised nature tourism in Kainuu and White Sea Karelia. The publications is available as a book and on the Internet pages of the Kainuu Environment Centre. The research results have been reported in scientific publications, and the produced material has been archived for future use. The information was considered appropriate for use in environmental education and marketing of the border regions after further refinements and popularisation. In the future, it was deemed necessary to initiate new projects based on the research results in Finland and in White Sea Karelia, in order to promote the nature tourism industry. The project can be regarded as accompanying the projects ”Paluu lähteille: Luonto-opastusta perinteitä vaalien” in 2002-2004 and ”Luonnon lumoissa - rajaseudun luonto tunnetuksi” in 2005-2007.