MI11 Directive mire species

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Directive species

EU Habitats Directive species' status has been reported in Finland twice, in 2007 and 2013. The share of mire species of all well-known species is relatively low. In habitats directive, however, there are several northern mire species listed. Mires are a primary habitat for altogether 18 habitats and birds directive species, which corresponds to 9% of all well-known directive species. Five of the directive species (yellow marsh saxifrage, Lapland buttercup, slender green feather-moss, geyer whorl snail and meesia moss) occur in alpine region, and all eleven species in the boreal region.

In boreal region the conservation status  is favourable for third of the habitats directive species and unfavourable-inadequate for another third. Between reporting rounds 2007?2013 the conservation status of woodland brown (butterfly) improved from unfavourable-inadequate to favourable. Two species, fen orchid and Lapland hamatocaulis moss, have the weakest status unfavourable-bad. The state of the round-mouthed whorl snail is unkown.

The conservation statuses of four species in alpine region are favourable. The species are Lapland buttercup, yellow marsh saxifrage, slender green feather-moss and meesia moss. The status of geyer whorl snail is unknown in alpine region.

The greatest threat for mire species is still the drainage. For example fen orchid and meesia moss suffer from draining and forestation of the mires.

Status of the Birds Directive species

Birds directive includes seven mire species. The species occur mainly on open mires but particularly hen harrier and common crane live also on wooded pine mires.

Before year 1990 populations of five of the birds directive species were evaluated as stable albeit data were partly inadequate. The population of ruff increased considerably before 1990 but has collapsed since then. The population of peregrine falcon was, on the other hand, small in the 1970s but has increased since then.

In 1990?2008 the population development of three mire birds has been evaluated stable. In addition to the population of ruff, the population of wood sandpiper has decreased. At the same time two species, peregrine falcon and common crane, have become more abundant.