Three million sightings in Finland deliver hopeful news: local habitats matter most

What decides whether a bird, butterfly or small mammal thrives near you? In Finland, it turns out the answer is mostly the land right around it. Researchers at the University of Helsinki tracked 503 animal species across the whole country for 20 years, using more than three million wildlife observations. Locally, the state of nearby habitat — whether forest, wetland or farmland was intact — explained where species lived and how abundant they were better than the climate did, especially for butterflies, birds and small mammals. Climate still shapes the big picture, from year-to-year swings to the difference between Finland's north and south. But habitat is something towns, farmers and landowners can protect and restore themselves — which is why the team says the most effective tools for saving Finland's species are already in the country's own hands.

SDG 15 · Life on land