VELMU data have many uses

Penina Blankett,
Ministerial Adviser,
Ministry of the Environment,
Finland

Solutions and decisions based on information are generally the easiest to accept, the most sustainable, and more transparent. In addition, the accuracy and reliability of the information are important aspects, especially in areas where few people are able to check things for themselves.  This is the case with regard to seas.  Looking at the map and the sea from the shore, the area seems to be one and the same blue entity, so one could assume that the same monotony would continue below the surface as well. But a peek below the surface gives a very different picture. The subsurface world is as diverse as the area above the surface, with its valleys, depressions and hills. In order to plan activities sustainably or protect important natural values underwater, we need knowledge of their location in the sea. Up to the year 2000, data on the underwater nature of the sea were scarce. At the same time, however, pressures on the use of sea areas began to rise and the need for protection began to extend below the water level, along with the Natura 2000 network.

In 2004, under the leadership of the Ministry of the Environment, it was decided to launch the Finnish Inventory Programme for the Underwater Marine Environment (VELMU). The aim was to get an overview of the distribution and volume of underwater species and habitats. Simultaneously, a data management system and a map template had to be developed to visualise the collected data and make them available to everyone.

The aim was to involve as many maritime actors as possible, not only those who produce data but also those who use the data collected. The goal of the broad-based structure was to be transparent in all operations. VELMU’s progress is monitored by a steering group consisting of representatives of eight ministries and the bodies appointed by them. Planning and implementation of practical work is the responsibility of the project group, which comprises representatives of bodies that carry out mapping work at sea, such as Parks & Wildlife Finland, the Natural Resources Institute Finland and the Geological Survey of Finland, Åbo Akademi and some ELY-centres. The Finnish Environment Institute, processes the collected data and serves as the coordinator of the programme. 

Collection and processing of data

Mapping the seabed is slow and expensive; it’s like trying to outline the landscape from above a cloud cover. Many types of tools are available, but none of them can work alone. Diving and sampling provide accurate data from a small area, while video recordings or a remote-controlled underwater robot can provide an overview of the area. In addition, data are collected on the depth and composition of the seabed, for example by side-scan sonar imaging. Because not every square metre can be studied, the nature and background data collected provide probabilistic models of the occurrence of species and habitats. The functionality of the models varies, but some have been so good that new occurrences have been detected in new areas. Other methods include remote sensing methods, such as the utilisation of satellite images. The data collected can be found in the VELMU Map Service, available to everyone. 

Data use 

So far the VELMU programme has collected observations from more than 160,000 points. These data have been used very widely. When assessing the endangerment of habitats (2018) and species (2019), it was possible for the first time to include, for example, algae species widely in the assessment.  Despite this, however, we still have many species and habitats for which data are incomplete, for which reason data collection continues.

At present, the Finnish network of protected areas covers about 11% of the marine area. However, the Zonation analysis, which utilised VELMU data, has been able to show that the current network of protected areas does not adequately cover underwater conservation values. At the same time, the European Union’s recently adopted Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to protect 30% of Europe’s marine area, and 10% of this must be strictly protected by 2030. VELMU data are in demand.

In support of Finnish marine area planning, 87 ecologically significant Finnish underwater marine nature areas (EMMA) were described by utilising, among others, VELMU data. In addition, the data have been used, for instance, in some regional land use plans, in spatial planning of wind power and in EIA processes. With systematically and scientifically collected data, we can protect nature, but also enable activities that do not harm nature while creating a basis, among others, for blue growth. Climate change and its impact on marine nature also bring new challenges that we must prepare for.

In 2020 the European Commission granted VELMU the Natura 2000 Award in recognition of VELMU’s successful in promoting biodiversity in the Finnish marine area.

Expert article 2901

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