Other effective area-based conservation measures OECM – data examination and development for implementation of the commitments related to EU Biodiversity Strategy

The OECM (Other effective area-based conservation measures) - project promotes the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy's national commitments by defining and reporting areas supporting biodiversity outside the protected area network in Finland. Identifying and reporting areas supporting biodiversity brings visibility to the work done to conserve biodiversity outside protected areas.

An OECM area is defined as an area that maintains or promotes biodiversity and is managed or governed in a way that ensures the preservation of identified natural values in the long term. At the same time, ecosystem functions and services related to biodiversity are safeguarded, as well as, where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socioeconomic, or otherwise locally significant values. Unlike targets of protected areas, the management objective of an area supporting biodiversity according to the OECM definition does not necessarily have to be the protection of nature values, if its management and use effectively maintain or enhance biodiversity. Ensuring biodiversity can be based on legally mandated obligations, the landowner's own decision, or, for example, management agreements. Furthermore, through collaboration with landowners, the management of potential areas can be developed to fulfill OECM criteria, which may lead to improvement in national conservation area coverage. Crucially, supporting biodiversity should stem from the perspectives of the landowner or peoples having tenure rights over the area.