The protection and management of species in Finland are administered by expert groups for different species and species groups. Members include researchers, environmental administration experts and professional-level enthusiasts. The main duty of the expert groups is to evaluate the conservation status of Finnish species at ten-year intervals. Group members also provide important expert assistance to the authorities on various issues related to species conservation. The groups work under the supervision of Steering Group for Evaluation and Monitoring of threatened species (LAUHA).
The white-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos) is very endangered (EN) and protected by the EU Habitats Directive. © Tuomas Lahti.
Aim for awareness
The main aim of the expert groups is to promote the protection of threatened species and to participate in evaluations of threats to species. Another aim is to increase knowledge and awareness of Finnish species, as well as species occurrence and ecology. The expert groups also promote co-operation and information flow between researchers, administrators and enthusiasts.
Cooperation with environmental administration
The operation of the first organism expert groups began underneath the WWF Finland. WWF still has five task groups promoting the conservation of one or two species. At the initiative of the environmental administration, new expert groups were set up later.
Some organism expert group members work in environmental management, science museums, universities and research institutes. Many enthusiasts are also involved. The Natural Environment Centre of the Finnish Environmental Institute (SYKE) participates in the work of the species expert groups and supports their operation.
Contact information of the expert groups
Expert group for vascular plants
Chair Terhi Ryttäri, tel. +358 2952 51585
, firstname.surname@syke.fi
Secretary Aapo Ahola, tel. +358 2952 52234, firstname.surname@syke.fi
Expert group for algae
Chair Kirsi Kostamo, tel. +358 2952 51315, firstname.surname@syke.fi
Secretary Heidi Arponen, tel. +358 2063 94680, firstname.surname@metsa.fi
Expert group for bryophytes
Chair Kimmo Syrjänen, tel. +358 295 251 666, firstname.surname@syke.fi
Secretary Kati Pihlaja, name@utu.fi [name=kmpihl]
Expert group for lichens
Chair Juha Pykälä, tel. +358 2952 51528, firstname.surname@syke.fi
Secretary Kimmo Jääskeläinen, name@gmail.com [name=jaaskimmo]
Expert group for fungi
Chair Lasse Kosonen, name@hotmail.com [name=laskos44]
Secretary Tea von Bonsdorff-Salminen, tel. +358 50 309 8439, firstname.surname@helsinki.fi [surname=vonbonsdorff]
The Conservation Committee of the Lepidopterological Society of Finland
Chair Erkki Laasonen, surname@kolumbus.fi
Secretary Hannu Koski, name@kolumbus.fi [name=hkoski]
Executive manager of the Finnish Lepidopterological Society Jari Kaitila, tel. +358 50 586 8531, firstname.surname@perhostutkijainseura.fi
Expert group for beetles
Chair Petri Martikainen, tel. +358 50 3721 529, firstname.surname@uef.fi
Secretary Jaakko Mattila, firstname.surname@helsinki.fi
Expert group for Hymenoptera
Chair Juho Paukkunen, tel. +358 29 412 8644, firstname.surname@helsinki.fi
Secretary Reima Leinonen, tel. +358 40 529 6896, firstname.surname@ely-keskus.fi
Expert group for Hemiptera (Hemiptera, Neuroptera, Megaloptera, Raphidioptera, Mecoptera, Psocoptera, Thysanoptera, Orthoptera, Dermaptera, Blattodea)
Chair Anders Albrecht tel. +358 9191 28837, firstname.surname@helsinki.fi
Secretary Jukka Kettunen, firstname.olavi.surname@kuopio.fi [jukka.olavi.kettunen]
Expert group for Diptera
Chair Jaakko Pohjoismäki, firstname.surname@uef.fi
Secretary Kaj Winqvist, name@gmail.com [name=zeitkajw]
Expert group for aquatic insects
Chair Jari Ilmonen, firstname.surname@gmail.com
Secretary Jukka Salmela, firstname.e.surname @gmail.com
Expert group for spiders (Arachnida, Myriapoda, Thysanura, Oniscidea)
Chair Varpu Vahtera, firstname.surname@gmail.com
Secretary Riikka Elo, name@utu.fi [name=riaelo]
Expert group for crustaceans (Crustacea, Annelida, Cnidaria, Bryozoa, Priapulida, Nemertea)
Chair Ari Laine, tel. +358 2063 94331, firstname.surname@metsa.fi
Secretary Essi Keskinen, tel. +358 2063 96055, firstname.surname@metsa.fi
Expert group for molluscs
Chair Ilmari Valovirta, tel. +358 40 520 1909, firstname.surname@helsinki.fi
Secretary Ulla-Maija Liukko, tel. +358 295 251 387, firstname.surname@syke.fi
Expert group for fish (task group in the Natural Resources Institute Finland)
Contact persons:
Mikko Olin, tel. +358 295 322 308, firstname.surname@luke.fi
Lauri Urho, tel. +358 295 327 258, firstname.surname@luke.fi
Expert group for amphibians and reptiles
Chair Jarmo Saarikivi, firstname.surname@helsinki.fi
Secretary Ulla-Maija Liukko, tel. +358 295 251 387, firstname.surname@syke.fi
Expert group for birds
Chair Aleksi Lehikoinen, tel. +358 50 318 2340, firstname.surname@helsinki.fi
Secretary Aili Jukarainen, tel. 0295 251 549, firstname.surname@syke.fi,
Expert group for mammals (Operates under the Finnish Mammalogical Society)
Chair Heikki Henttonen, ext.firstname.surname @luke.fi
Secretary Ulla-Maija Liukko, tel. +358 295 251 387, firstname.surname@syke.fi
Further information
Plants: Senior Researcher Terhi Ryttäri, Finnish Environment Institute, firstname.surname@syke.fi
Animals: Senior Researcher Ulla-Maija Liukko, Finnish Environment Institute, firstname.surname@syke.fi