🌿 Meet Our Partners – BioClima Project: 🇫🇮 Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE)

📍 Finland | 🌐 https://www.syke.fi/en

The Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) is an environmental research and development centre under Finland’s Ministry of Environment. Its mission is the production of relevant information, novel understanding, and innovative solutions for achieving sustainable development. New research-based information and comprehensive assessments and reports produced by Syke directly support decision makers.

Syke contributes to BioClima through their Quality of Information and Nature Solutions units.

Syke building in Helsinki, Finland. Photo: Kai Widell

Role in BioClima

Syke is leading a case study in Northern Finland as part of Work Package 4, aiming to enhance our understanding of how ecosystem functions and services are linked to various biotopes, and how these relationships are influenced by climate change and land use dynamics.

The study integrates modelled carbon balance estimates with Earth Observation data on natural habitats. It will identify areas with high biodiversity and strong carbon sequestration potential to support evidence-based decision-making.

In addition, Syke contributes to Work Package 2, focusing on the spatial patterns of climate change impacts.

Pilot site

Our study area is situated in the alpine and boreal biogeographical region of Northern Finland, a region experiencing rapid climate warming. Most of the area is protected and forms part of the Natura 2000 network. The dominant vegetation types include treeless mountain heaths, mountain birch forests, boreal forests, and wetlands.

Landscape in the fell areas of Northern Lapland, Urho Kekkonen National Park. Photos: Kristin Böttcher

Team behind the work

Dr. Kristin Böttcher (Senior researcher remote sensing)
Dr. Virpi Junttila (Senior researcher ecosystem modelling)
Dr. Martin Forsius (Research professor)
Dr. Saku Anttila (Unit Director Quality of Information)
Dr. Torsti Schulz (Senior researcher)
Dr. Anu Akujärvi (Senior researcher)
Dr. Petteri Vihervaara (Research Professor)

Quote – Why is BioClima important to your work?

“The Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs) and Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) developed in the project will enhance our national monitoring and assessment infrastructures. The advanced integrated model systems developed and applied in the project (e.g. GLOBIOM) will provide important scenarios and insights regarding climate mitigation options and risk assessment for our region.”

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