In the OECM (Other effective area-based conservation measures) project, the implementation of national commitments under the EU Biodiversity Strategy is being promoted by identifying and reporting areas and measures outside the protected area network that conserve or promote biodiversity in Finland. Identifying and reporting OECMs highlights the work done to preserve biodiversity outside protected areas.
Underlying international conservation targets
In the negotiations of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 14), consensus has been reached that, in addition to strict protection, other effective area-based conservation measures (OECM) also play an important role in conserving biodiversity. In 2018 Member States approved the OECM concept and the criteria which determine if a site qualifies as an OECM as set out under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Finland is committed to the EU Biodiversity Strategy's goal of halting biodiversity loss and reversing the trend towards positive biodiversity development by 2030. One of the key objectives of the strategy is to increase the area under protection so that 30 percent of the EU's land and sea areas are under legal protection. Achieving this goal requires conserving biodiversity also outside formal protected areas.
In Finland, the conservation target has so far mainly included strictly protected areas. With the help of internationally defined criteria, other effective area-based conservaton measures can also be better considered.
Other effective area-based conservation measures in Finland
A site can be identified as OECM if it is a clearly defined area that delivers effective and long-term in situ conservation of biodiversity while also securing ecosystem functions and services, as well as, where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, or other locally significant values. The first candidate OECMs in Finland include habitats of special importance under the Forest Act. The greatest potential for areas to be designated as OECMs lies on state-owned land, predominantly in northern Finland, where biodiversity values have been identified and secured as part of forestry use.
Unlike protected areas, the primary objective of managing an OECM does not have to be nature conservation as long as its management and use actually maintain or promote biodiversity. OECMs can include, for example, landscape management areas, municipal recreational forests, traditional biotopes managed under agricultural environmental agreements, or various restriction areas where biodiversity values have been identified. Potential OECMs may emerge from the national implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Law in areas that achieve sufficient biodiversity values. Acceptance of candidate OECMs requires assessment to ensure the areas meet OECM criteria. The effectiveness of conservation measures should also be monitored.
In OECMs, activities are planned to ensure that the identified biodiversity values are secured in the long term alongside other land uses. Conservation can be based on legally mandated obligations, the landowner's own decision, or, for example, management agreements. The OECM framework can also encourage the development of some existing regional conservation measures to meet OECM criteria, which can lead to improved conservation levels. It is essential that initiatives to conserve biodiversity originate from the engagement of the landowner or the governing authority of the area. Reporting of areas does not impose new obligations or restrictions on the use of areas for the landowner.
What?
OECM (Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures) refers to areas other than formal protected areas, which deliver effective and long-term in situ conservation of biodiversity. In Finnish, OECMs are referred as "Monimuotoisuutta tukevat alueet" (biodiversity-supporting areas).
How?
OECMs can vary according to the ecological characteristics of the area and the measures taken to protect nature. The use of the areas may include traditional land use practices, areas excluded from exploitation of natural resources, sustainable forestry practices, or other means of safeguarding biodiversity. The use and designation of the area must have a legal basis or a decision by the managing entity, and the preservation of the ecological values of the area must be monitored.
Why?
OECMs play a crucial role in identifying areas beyond established protected areas where where landowners are committed to maintaining biodiversity. Conserving these areas is vital for maintaining ecosystem services and ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources. Designating OECMs is a fundamental component of fulfilling national commitments under the EU Biodiversity Strategy, contributing towards the goal of protecting 30% of land and sea areas by 2030.
Project implementation
Project name: Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECM) - Evaluating datasets and developing reporting processes as part of the implementation of the EU BD Strategy commitments - joint project between the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) and Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
A national working group has examined the application of the OECM definition in Finland and published a report on the topic in 2022: “Suojelualueverkostoa tukevat luonnon monimuotoisuutta turvaavat alueet Suomessa”. The joint project of the Finnish Environment Institute and the Natural Resources Institute Finland, initiated by the Ministry of the Environment, continues this work by reviewing and defining the areas or area types that are estimated to meet the international definition of an OECM. Approved areas will be reported for the first time alongside protected areas in international statistics in 2025. The total area of Finland's protected areas and OECMs will be monitored as an indicator of progress towards the conservation objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy.
The identification of OECMs requires assessing and analyzing these areas to ensure they meet both the OECM criteria and spatial data requirements. The initial phase of the work involves developing an evaluation and approval process. This is achieved by piloting the evaluation and reporting process in areas that most clearly meet the OECM criteria. Following the pilot phase, identifying and developing other OECMs in collaboration with landowners will be more straightforward.
The Ministry of the Environment approves each area or area type as an OECM based on the evaluation conducted in the project and the application from the governing authority. The managing entities thus decide independently whether to apply for OECM status. The Finnish Environment Institute is responsible for reporting spatial data on OECMs to the European common database of protected areas (Nationally Designated Areas, NatDA).
The OECM project has four main objectives:
1. Outline the division of responsibilities among organizational roles and resource needs for identifying and reporting on OECMs.
2. Compile spatial data on the types of regions identified in the OECM working group report that largely meet the criteria for OECMs, and submit the spatial data of these areas for reporting to the European Environment Agency’s database of protected areas (Nationally Designated Areas, NatDA) following the approval process.
3. The working group report has also identified types of areas that do not currently meet the criteria for OECMs. The goal is to develop recommendations for actions and data enhancements needed to advance these areas to meet OECM criteria.
4. Develop a data management plan for the reporting process and practices for OECMs, and pilot these processes using areas that meet the OECM criteria.
Useful links:
Lisätietoja:
- Ilona Aalto, project coordinator, Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), firstname.lastname@syke.fi