More than 20 days in the field and three researchers – diversity of nature in Olkiluoto studied since the spring
The Wind in the Willows. Except this time it is not the wind but man, or Specialist Maria Murto from Envineer Oy, an expert firm on environmental matters. She has come to the Island of Olkiluoto for the biodiversity study that started in the spring and has continued with mapping work carried out in the field until very recently. The biodiversity study is a central part of environmental goals and the monitoring of the status of nature in Olkiluoto.
Indices that describe the wellbeing of environmental biodiversity were introduced in Olkiluoto in 2017. They are used not only to monitor the environmental impacts of the plant, but also to increase the environmental friendliness of the operations of the TVO Group. They will be of considerable help also in the near future as more stringent requirements are applied to corporate social responsibility reporting.
The biodiversity study report currently in writing is an important part of this entity.
- The study provides us with up-to-date data on our nature values, which will make it easier for us to define more specific goals for biodiversity here in Olkiluoto, Environmental Manager Merja Levy from TVO explains the background for the study.
According to her, the biodiversity study conducted during the summer can be considered comprehensive.
- In addition to the vegetation in the area, the study also covers the animal population and the stands of forest on the island, Ms. Levy says.
Field work in major role
Making observations in the field has been a key study method. This literally refers to legwork in the field, crisscrossing the nuclear island. A total of three researchers were engaged in studying biodiversity on the Island of Olkiluoto.
Specialist Maria Murto has been specifically responsible for the vegetation in Olkiluoto, mapping the different habitats on the island. She also studied coarse woody debris. One of the other two researchers from the specialist company focused solely on birdlife and the other on butterflies.
- I spent a total of eight days in the field here. The first ones in early June and the last now after mid-August, Ms. Murto says. All in all, the trio of researchers had 22 workdays in the field.
The number of fieldwork days reflects the relatively large size of the study area. The overall area of the Island of Olkiluoto is about 900 hectares. Only about 170 hectares is reserved for TVO’s electricity production and for the final disposal of spent fuel operated by Posiva.
Murto says this was something of a surprise for her.
- I had envisaged the study environment to be much more urban, but energy production only takes a rather small area of the whole island. In other words, there was a fair lot of nature to study.
Earlier study data facilitates comparison
According to Ms. Murto, the study conducted in Olkiluoto differs from many other studies by the availability of earlier data for comparison.
- Although the new study focuses on the current status, we can use the earlier data as comparison material and find out many things about changes that have taken place.
The previous biodiversity study covering the whole Island of Olkiluoto was from 2013. Since then, some nature studies have been carried out within specific project areas.
- The objective is to repeat the full-island study every ten years or so also in the future, Merja Levy explains.
In fact, the study was to be carried out already last summer according to plans. That could not be accomplished, however.
- There were simply no researchers available in the whole country, Ms. Levy says.
Final report to be available next spring
TVO implemented the biodiversity studies of its home island of its own accord and voluntarily. Not because of some regulatory requirement or request.
- We wish to be forerunners and role models in this matter. It provides an essential means to stay informed about our environment and the changes occurring in it. One thing we have already decided is that the TVO Group will take at least one concrete step every year to promote biodiversity, Merja Levy announces.
This year, sheep were grazed on the Island of iso Susikari in an area of about 5.5 hectares for the maintenance of the heritage biotope. The project was implemented in cooperation with Metsähallitus (Finnish state agency responsible for forests).
The researchers will submit their final report on the nature of the island next spring. The results will be communicated by TVO in more detail when available.
- In addition to providing a situational picture, we have asked the authors of the report to also record recommendations for how we as a company could increase biodiversity, Ms. Levy concludes.
Text: Ville Kulmala
Photos: Tapani Karjanlahti