Structure: State of surface waters, stream fragmentation
ECOLOGICAL STATE OF THE BALTIC SEA COASTAL AREAS The ecological state of more than half (54%) of the Baltic Sea coastal areas in Finland have been assessed as moderate in quality in 2013. None of the coastal areas were in a high quality state, 25% of them were assessed as good in quality, 20% as poor and 1% as bad.
ECOLOGICAL STATE OF INLAND WATERS In 2013 the ecological state was evaluated as excellent or good in 85% of the lake area. There have been no significant changes in water quality or microalgae production caused by nutrient loading. The state of 13% of lake area was classified as moderate and 1% as poor or bad. Lakes in these categories are located next to extensive farmlands or below industrial or urban areas and are often small or medium sized. Most commonly these lakes have been affected by nutrient run-offs from agricultural land especially in south-western Finland where arable lands are mainly erosion sensitive clay soils. Additionally, the old sediments rich in nutrients from past decades still affect water quality at present. Between 2008–2013 a higher proportion of lakes were classified as declining rather than improving in quality. More than 3% of the lake area was deteriorating and 2% was improving. On the contrary, most changes in river quality were positive. About 2% of the river length was improving in quality as 0.6% was declining.
State of the surface waters. Environmental Administration.
|
- Updated (20.01.2015)
Discuss this topic
Start the discussion »
Add comment
Hide comments