Thank you for sharing this amazing species and its background story. What I found especially interesting was your mention of it being one of Finland’s “responsibility species.” Is this an official conservation designation in Finland?
And if so, what makes a species a responsibility species?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all countries had responsibility species, if that means taking especially good care of them?
In Germany, I’ve often heard the Red Kite described as a species for which we carry a particular responsibility, since Germany is considered the global stronghold of the species and holds around half of the world’s breeding population.
Thank you for your comment Caroline! Responsibility species is a species for which a European Union Member State has an obligation to maintain and conserve its population. It means strengthening the monitoring and research of the species, and ensuring that its habitat is taken into account in land‑use planning. Finland has hundreds of responsibility species. Most of them are plants and mosses, but there is also mammals, birds, insects, and a few fungi.
Yes, I think that would be great! But unfortunately, many other political issues seem to play a more important role.
As far as I know, Finland may have one of the longest lists of responsibility species, but I’m not entirely sure — it’s surprisingly hard to find clear information on that. What is clear, though, is that the responsibility‑species approach has been a fairly visible part of decision‑making in Finland compared to some other countries.
Finland has also protected around ten habitat types, which means they cannot be destroyed. 🌱🫶🏼
Thanks for sharing this Anna! I'm halfway across the world from you, but have been walking many different boggy areas this week & enjoying the sphagnum moss in Minnesota. What a wonder 💚
Thank you for sharing this amazing species and its background story. What I found especially interesting was your mention of it being one of Finland’s “responsibility species.” Is this an official conservation designation in Finland?
And if so, what makes a species a responsibility species?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all countries had responsibility species, if that means taking especially good care of them?
In Germany, I’ve often heard the Red Kite described as a species for which we carry a particular responsibility, since Germany is considered the global stronghold of the species and holds around half of the world’s breeding population.
Thank you for your comment Caroline! Responsibility species is a species for which a European Union Member State has an obligation to maintain and conserve its population. It means strengthening the monitoring and research of the species, and ensuring that its habitat is taken into account in land‑use planning. Finland has hundreds of responsibility species. Most of them are plants and mosses, but there is also mammals, birds, insects, and a few fungi.
Yes, I think that would be great! But unfortunately, many other political issues seem to play a more important role.
As far as I know, Finland may have one of the longest lists of responsibility species, but I’m not entirely sure — it’s surprisingly hard to find clear information on that. What is clear, though, is that the responsibility‑species approach has been a fairly visible part of decision‑making in Finland compared to some other countries.
Finland has also protected around ten habitat types, which means they cannot be destroyed. 🌱🫶🏼
Oh how cool! I’d love to see this moss for real someday…
Thanks Iona! You may very well come across it if you observe the terrain in the dimness beneath the spruces.🌿🌲
Thanks for sharing this Anna! I'm halfway across the world from you, but have been walking many different boggy areas this week & enjoying the sphagnum moss in Minnesota. What a wonder 💚
Sphagnum moss always makes me gasp with excitement when I see it. It truly is something wonderful! Thank you Anthony🫶🏼🌿
Interesting article Anna, you have Great knowlegde about the different species of moss. Impressive 🙌🏾🍀 Thank you for sharing💚🌿🍀
Thank you so much! I just enjoy learning about nature, and there’s always more to discover. 🔎🌿