Sheep grazing boosts Bothnian Bay National Park’s value and biodiversity
Twenty sheep are responsible for keeping the Pensaskari area of the Bothnian Bay National Park clean. This task, however, does not take much effort for the sheep as it involves doing what they usually do – grazing. As a result of the sheep’s grazing, the value of Pensaskari, located in the Bothnian Bay, has risen from regionally valuable to nationally valuable. This is the highest category possible, indicating an improvement in the significance and quality of the area.
The management of the island’s coastal meadows has benefited both the local flora and water and shorebirds that require nesting environments. For example, in 2013, only 14 pairs of the endangered redshank were found in Pensaskari and the nearby Selkä and Maa-Sarvi. Last year, that number doubled to 28 pairs.
Grazing has also improved the status of endangered habitats. Pensaskari’s traditional biotopes house extremely endangered habitats like coastal meadows, heaths, dry pastures and sparse wooded areas. If sheep were not employed in the area, the threat of overgrowth would be imminent.
Sheep’s shepherds take care of the animals during the summer in Pensaskari and in several other areas managed by the Forest Management Agency. The daily chores of the shepherds include counting the animals and ensuring their well-being. The fee-charging but popular Shepherd’s Weeks usually start in May and end in September, after which the animals return to their owners.
In addition to grazing, important restoration clearings have been made in Pensaskari. Planted conifers such as pine and spruce, which do not naturally belong there, have been removed. Juniper has also been removed from the heaths and willow from the edges of the coastal meadows.
The Forest Management Agency maintains traditional environments in state conservation areas over an area of more than 5,000 hectares in cooperation with contract grazers. Over 95% of the traditional biotopes in the conservation areas serve as summer pastures for cows, sheep or horses. The Forest Management Agency makes a lease agreement for the use of the grazing area with the owners of the animals.