Number of endangered species of animals and plants increasing in Finland

Ministry of the Environment updates lists

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The number of endangered species is on the up in Finland. The Ministry of the Environment's suggestion for the new nature conservation act includes a list of 1,410 endangered species. The current number is 1,300.
      According to the proposal, the number of species in need of special protection should grow from 485 to 608. Among the species now considered endangered are Temminck's stint (Calidris temminckii) from the sandpiper family, and the controversial barred warbler (Sylvia nisoria) that came to public attention over the Vuosaari Harbour construction project.
      The grass snake (Natrix natrix) and - among the fish - the spined loach (Cobitis taenia) have also been added to the list.
      The population of the kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) has in turn become so stable that it is no longer considered endangered.
      The white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and the white-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos), on the other hand, remain on the list of species in need of special protection.
     
Finland's most celebrated endangered species, the flying squirrel (Pteromys volans), also remains on the list.
      Some newcomers, whose existence in Finland has only been confirmed in recent years, have also been included in the update. Such species include the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and all the various bat species found here.
      Among plant life, the Anemone hepatica (Hepatica nobilis) and sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) are among those soon to be withdrawn from the endangered list.
      According to Hannu Karjalainen from the Ministry of the Environment, the increase in the number of species in need of protection speaks of regression.
      "In general, one could say that the diversity of the Finnish natural environment is being compromised", Karjalainen says.
      The aim is to get the new protection act a government hearing during this spring.


Links:
  WWF Finland

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