Experts gather for species identification event in Salla National Park, Finland

In Finland’s newest national park located in Salla, some of the country’s top species experts are gathering this weekend. The goal is to identify as many species as possible in a 24-hour period, according to Kaisa Junninen, a specialist in nature conservation from Metsähallitus’ Nature Services. Currently, around 1,600 species have been recorded in Salla National Park. Junninen anticipates that at least 100 new species will be discovered during the event, although many more may remain unidentified. It’s difficult to estimate the total number of species in Salla.

Junninen expects a lengthy species list, as the event will feature top researchers across various organism groups. This species hunt is also a social event where experts can learn from one another. Participants include specialists in vascular plants, mosses, lichens, fungi, birds, beetles, flies, butterflies, and other insect groups.

Mammals tend to be less frequently recorded, as new species are mostly plants or insects. Junninen pointed out that there are often unique findings, including new occurrences of endangered species or even new species for Finland or the regional biota. Some groups, such as flies, may be less documented, and it’s possible that all identified flies at the Bioblitz could be new to the park.

For example, in Posio’s Riisitunturi National Park, 50 new species were discovered three years ago, bringing the total to 759. Last year, 1,557 species were found in Nuuksio National Park, including 349 that had never been recorded in the area before.

Metsähallitus conducts and commissions environmental mapping and species surveys, but with over 40 national parks and numerous other protected areas, it’s impossible to document every species comprehensively, especially since biodiversity is constantly changing. The Bioblitz event, which promotes the importance of biodiversity and its conservation, first took place in the U.S. in 1996 and has since spread worldwide, with the next event planned in the Ostrobothnia and Kainuu regions next year.