Nature restoration supports biodiversity

Nature restoration is an important part of biodiversity solutions that aim to nurture and revitalize biodiversity.

Nature restoration is an activity aimed at restoring habitats to or towards a good state. Most often this refers to the state in which the habitat was before human influence. Exceptions include e.g. cultural habitats such as fields, meadows and forest pastures. With restoration measures, habitat recovery is faster than without them. Some habitats would not even recover without human input.

Nature restoration can target different habitat types both inside and outside protected areas. In Finland, the most common habitat types are forests, waterways and peatlands, which have been most heavily affected by human activities. The suitability of a site for restoration is determined on a case-by-case basis. Human input aims to restore and increase the natural characteristics of habitats and thereby increase biodiversity. 

Restoration measures and their effects on nature

Nature restoration measures include, for example, blocking ditches that have been dug in wetlands, removing fish migration barriers in flowing waters, diversifying forest structures and clearing overgrown traditional habitats. Measures are always carefully chosen depending on the target habitat.

The difference between nature restoration and ecological compensation

Nature restoration should not be confused with ecological compensation, where the party causing damage to nature compensates for the harm caused by its operations through restoration or by protecting an equivalent area. Restoration can be a means to achieve ecological compensation, but they are not direct equivalents of each other.  

EU biodiversity strategy and nature restoration  

Nature restoration is also part of the EU Biodiversity Strategy, and the EU Nature Restoration Law which came into force on 18 August 2024. A restoration plan will be drawn up for the national implementation of the law, specifying the means to achieve the objectives in Finland.  However, doing restoration activities is not dependent on this national plan, and restoration projects can and have already been successfully completed in many areas in Finland.  

Nature restoration supports biodiversity, recreational values, climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, ecological compensation and the economy, among other things.

At Sweco, we provide assistance in all your questions related to nature and biodiversity. Contact us!