Improving conditions for the endangered brown lake trout

In connection with OX2’s construction of the Niinimäki wind farm in Pieksämäki municipality in Finland, OX2 have together with partners taken the initiative to increase biodiversity by restoring the streams where the endangered brown lake trout live.

The rapids Ahvenkoski and Mehtiönkoski located near the Niinimäki wind farm provide the habitat for the endangered brown lake trout. The endangered status implies that the lake trout’s existence is under threat. I other words, the brown lake trout could become one of many other species within the biodiversity loss experienced globally.

Focusing on endangered species – part of the bigger agenda

Biodiversity loss refers to the decline in variation of and within living organisms. This includes loss of species, shrinking populations, and reduced variation within species. The status of respective species indicates how threatened their future existence is. Focusing on safeguarding endangered species is therefore key to avoiding further biodiversity loss.

According to the Red List of Threatened Species developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), more than 44 thousand species are threatened with extinction globally, which is 28 percent of assessed species. Decline or loss of one species can have implications on other species since they are part of interconnected ecosystems. For example, the loss of one species could imply inadequate access to food for another. Focusing on endangered species and implementing measures that improve their status is therefore part of the larger agenda of addressing biodiversity loss.

Activities for the endangered brown lake trout

The brown lake trout is one of many endangered species. Although it is not defined as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (last assessed in 2010), it is endangered for central and southern Finland.

OX2 have, together with the local fishing community, HELEN and Ålandsbanken Wind Power Fund, Eltel, and Destia implemented measures to enhance their habitat and increase their population. These measures include fishing surveys, releasing the stocked juvenile brown trout in the rapids, and restoring the rapids Ahvenkoski and Mehtiönkoski to achieve more spawning area for adult trout and more suitable area for the juvenile trout.