Nationally valuable wind and beach deposits

The vector data relate to the final report of the joint project “TUURA” (Mäkinen et al.) of the Ministry of the Environment, the Finnish Environment Institute and the Geological Research Centre (TUURA). 2011). The aim of the project has been to create a comprehensive picture of Finland’s wind and shore layers and to produce a coherent environmental-based classification material, mainly for the purposes of permit assessment and other land use planning as required by the Land Materials Act (MAL 555/1981). In this study, the wind and shore layers have been valued on the basis of their geological, biological and landscape characteristics. With the exception of the Åland Islands and the roadless archipelago of the coast, the valuation work has been carried out throughout the country. Based on the valuation carried out in the terrain, 417 formations were considered to be of national value. Nationally valuable wind and beach deposits are divided into the following categories: 20 nationally valuable (value class 1) formations, 45 nationally very valuable (value class 2), 129 nationally valuable (value class 3) and 223 nationally significant (value class 4) pieces. The total area of nationally valuable wind and beach deposits is 69,942 hectares. The prized sites are located throughout the country, but they are clearly focused on Kainuu, northern northern Ostrobothnia, south-western Lapland and the coast. The results of the study can be utilised not only in the planning of permits and land use planning, but also in environmental protection and teaching activities. The results also provide a basis for assessing geological and biodiversity. Research is not a conservation programme and does not have legal effects directly based on law. Nationally valuable wind and beach layers are printed in the Finnish Environment series. Due to the scale of the research material, the target descriptions of the individual formations and the map prints will be presented on the DVD annexed to the final report. Reference: Mäkinen, K., Teeriaho, J. Rönty, H., Rauhaniemi, T. and Sahala, S. 2011. Nationally valuable wind and beach deposits. Finland’s environment 32/2011. 185 p. + DVD attachment. The material is part of SYKE’s open data (CC BY 4.0). Coverage: the whole country, except the Åland Islands and the roadless archipelago of the coast. Purpose: The survey primarily serves the planning of permits under the Land Materials Act and planning of the use of areas. For more information: http://www.ymparisto.fi/fi-FI/Luonto/Geologiset_muodostumat/Tuuli_ja_rantakerrostumat In connection with the work, 697 formations of nearly 1 100 sites included in the pre-selection were checked. Based on the valuation, 417 formations were considered to be of national value.