Rare coastal forest protected in Kokkola as one of the few of its kind in the world

A unique natural forest on Finland’s rising shoreline has been placed under protection in Kokkola, western Finland, the Finnish Natural Heritage Foundation announced on Monday.

The 6.2-hectare forest in Lohtaja, known as Aukustinmetsä, represents a globally rare ecosystem formed by land uplift—a phenomenon where coastal areas gradually emerge as the land rises from the sea. Such forests exist in only a few locations worldwide, primarily along the Bothnian Bay and the Canadian coast, according to the foundation’s conservation chief, Petri Haapala.

The protected area consists mainly of old-growth spruce forest, with trees over 150 years old. Decaying wood provides habitat and nutrients for hundreds of species, with some sections containing over 20 cubic metres of deadwood per hectare. Closer to the shore, alder and birch dominate the coastal groves, while steep cliffs, rocky outcrops, and massive boulders shape the landscape.

Satellite imagery reveals significant changes in the forest’s tree and shrub composition over the past 25 years, with the treeline advancing up to 50 metres toward the sea. New habitats have emerged, including a small, overgrown inlet now enclosed by shore vegetation. The area supports a rich diversity of life, from frogs and lizards to rare birds like the willow tit and wood-warblers. Conservation plans include installing nest boxes to aid threatened species.

The foundation acquired the land from the Karhula family, who requested the forest be named in honour of their great-great-grandfather, Aukusti. The protected area borders the Vattajanniemi Natura 2000 site, a designated EU conservation zone.