Nature surveys
Nature surveys
Nature surveys are used to investigate nature values in an area that is affected by a project or plan.
Nature surveys
Nature surveys are an important part of project planning and assessment of impacts on nature and the environment (e.g. EIA processes). The surveys are used to investigate the nature values in the project area before and during activities. They provide information on the ecological status of the area and help assess the impact of the project on the environment and biodiversity as well as species and habitats in need of special protection.
A nature survey covers the plant life and habitat types of the project area, the occurrence and breeding grounds of different animal species and routes important for animals. Surveys typically include investigations of several different species; birds, bats, the moor frog and the Siberian flying squirrel are common subjects. A comprehensive survey provides a reliable picture of the area’s nature values that are estimated to play an essential role in the documents and environmental reports produced to support decision-making.
Nature surveys enable
01
Protection of biodiversity
Nature surveys identify the area’s nature values with a focus on endangered, rare and protected species as well as valuable habitats. This helps plan solutions that minimise harm to biodiversity.
02
Anticipation and reduction of impacts
Nature surveys provide information on the impacts the project may have on nature values and how they can be reduced or prevented. In practice, considering valuable habitats or breeding grounds and territories of different species can mean, for example, that the project area is limited or construction work is rescheduled.
03
Fulfilment of protection obligations
Information provided by nature surveys ensures that the project fulfils protection obligations required by legislation (e.g. Nature Conservation Act) and international protected areas (such as Natura 2000 sites). Compliance with these obligations is essential to the success of the project's environmental permit process.
04
Support for environmental permits and land use planning
Nature surveys provide necessary background information for environmental permit applications and land use planning, when the suitability of the area for project use is assessed. The results of the surveys help estimate if an area is suitable for a project or if it should be excluded from project activities as part of land use plans.
05
Consideration of ecosystem services
The surveys are used to map out ecosystem services provided by the project area, such as water purification, carbon sequestration, erosion prevention and recreational values. A nature survey helps to recognise the potential impact of the project on these services and to ensure that the adverse impacts on ecosystem services are minimised or compensated for with other measures.
06
Safeguarding sustainable development and the local environment
Nature surveys assist in ensuring that the planning of the project supports sustainable development goals and protects the local environment, cultural landscapes and natural sites. Taking these aspects into account will also contribute to the project's acceptability among the local community.
Contact our experts
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Tuomas Väyrynen
Tuomas’s areas of expertise include a variety of nature surveys, assessments of ecological and environmental impacts, as well as Natura assessments.
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Ari Järvinen
Ari’s areas of expertise include nature‑impact assessments and biodiversity surveys. He has extensive experience in identifying and mapping various insect orders, and he has also prepared numerous specialised studies on the occurrence of directive species.
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Heikki Erkinaro
Heikki’s areas of expertise include assessing ecological impacts in land‑use planning and environmental impact assessment procedures. In addition, he has 30 years of experience in research and development projects related to stream ecology.