Arctic and boreal biodiversity conservation was discussed on 5 March in the mini seminar, which was organized by the Finnish Ministry of the Environment and Finnish Environment Institute SYKE. CAFF Executive Secretary Tom Barry presented the Arctic Council’s Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF)’s work. Also the BPAN project, and the role of Arctic and Barents Euro-Arctic Councils were discussed.

CAFF’s Arctic Biodiversity Assessment includes a lot of different kind of biodiversity data from each CAFF member and partner country. The recommendations highlight the significance of climate change as the most serious underlying driver of overall change in biodiversity; the necessity of taking an ecosystem-based approach to management; and the importance of mainstreaming biodiversity by making it integral to other policy fields.

Leading Expert Tapio Lindholm, BPAN Project Manager Anna Kuhmonen, CAFF Executive Secretary Tom Barry and Environment Counsellor Aulikki Alanen on the SYKE´s roof terrace discussing the arctic biodiversity future. Photo: Riku Lumiaro

CAFF and BPAN have synergies in their work on protected areas as northern part of the Barents Euro-Arctic Region is located in the Arctic region. CAFF has broader overview on biodiversity conservation in the Arctic Region, and the BPAN project has produced exact information on protected areas.

All the presentations can be downloaded here

Tom Barry: CAFF, Arctic Biodiversity Assessment

Aulikki Alanen: Arctic Council

Anna Kuhmonen: Barents Protected Area Network BPAN

Henna Haapala: BEAC