The impact of protected area network expansion on the conservation status of Finnish breeding birds

Species extinction risk, often measured by the IUCN Red List status, is a widely used indicator for the state of biodiversity. Changes in the Red List status have shown alarming and rapid declines of biodiversity, both globally and in Finland. As an example, 45% of the 249 breeding bird species in Finland have been considered threatened (Red-listed) in 2015, compared to a significantly lower proportion 36,9% in 2010. Even though protected areas are considered to be a key strategy in halting biodiversity decline, there is limited evidence on the link between the establishment of protected areas and a reduction in extinction risk. The designation and management of protected areas represents a…