About a third of Finland’s breeding birds are now considered endangered, and the population of seabirds has declined by 50 percent since the 1990s.
– If the trend continues, more species will disappear, says bird researcher Aleksi Lehikoinen.
Of Finland’s more than 250 bird species, 86 are estimated to be endangered and 34 near-threatened. Common species such as the chaffinch and the willow warbler have declined significantly, while the golden sparrow, for example, has not been seen nesting in the country for several years. Among breeding forest birds, five percent are thought to have disappeared since 1996, and among mountain birds the figure is minus 18 percent since the same year.
– We have more bird species whose populations are declining than those whose populations are increasing. We can speak of a loss of birds. If the trend continues, more species are in danger of disappearing, Aleksi Lehikoinen, one of Finland’s leading bird researchers, told the national newspaper Yle.
In the case of breeding farmland birds, populations have declined by 21%, with the ortolan bunting, for example, estimated to have declined by 99% since 1996. In the case of breeding marshland birds, the decline has been 23%, with species such as the Brent Goose and the Greenfinch being radically reduced.
“Birds are warning signals”
For seabirds, however, the figure is much higher, with an estimated 50% decline since the 1990s. About half of Finland’s waterbirds and wading birds are considered threatened. The brown duck, for example, has declined rapidly. One reason is thought to be that aquatic vegetation is becoming more monotonous and water bodies are being over-fertilized. The birds also have to compete with cyprinids for food.
Lehikoinen argues that a decrease in the number of birds indicates that nature is not doing well, for example, the decrease in the number of birds that eat insects may also mean a decrease in the number of insects, which in itself is harmful to ecosystems.
– I see birds as messengers. A canary that dies in a coal mine is a sign that humans are not doing well in the mine either. Birds are warning signals for us, says the researcher.
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After ten years of decline, Sweden’s moose population is increasing, according to the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). This means that more moose can be shot during this year’s moose hunting season, but despite the increase, the moose may still be red-listed as a threatened species.
In 2012, Sweden introduced new moose management policies aimed at finding compromises between different interests and setting population targets. The moose is often seen as a national symbol of Sweden and is one of the most important animals for hunting. At the same time, they cause wildlife accidents, often with fatal outcomes, and damage forests – according to SLU.
Every five years, the Species Information Centre at SLU compiles a red list of species considered threatened. SLU has also been calculating changes in the moose population since 2021. As recently as last year, researchers believed that the species had declined so significantly that it would risk being red-listed in the next compilation, scheduled for this year. This was due to the moose population decreasing in large parts of the country over the past ten years.
More hunters abstain
Now the population has increased, according to the latest report from SLU. Before last autumn’s hunt, Sweden had approximately 300,000 moose, representing an increase of about ten percent compared to the previous year.
One reason, according to the report, is that more and more hunters have refrained from shooting some of the moose they encounter. In particular, they have avoided shooting cows that are expected to give birth to next year’s calves.
– It’s naturally expected that the moose population increases if we shoot fewer moose. But it’s important to find out by how much, and to try to understand why hunters no longer seem to comply with shooting targets, says Fredrik Widemo, university lecturer at SLU and coordinator of the moose research project, in a press release.
May still be red-listed
This means that for this year’s hunt, which began this week, more moose can be shot than last year. This year, 72,328 moose may be shot in the country, an increase of just over 9,000 moose compared to last year.
Despite the increase, the moose may still be red-listed, but the preliminary proposal is to place it in the red list’s lowest category as “near threatened”.
Despite the end of summer, there is still plenty to pick when it comes to edible plants.Heather grows in the forest, which according to Swedish folklore should not be brought into the home, but which can be effective against gastritis.A common lawn weed that grows in the autumn also contains a lot of nutrients.
As summer turns to autumn, much of the Swedish vegetation begins to wither as the heat fades. However, there are a lot of herbs and other plants that grow into autumn, and also a lot to pick all year round in both forests and fields.
The article was originally published in The Nordic Times on September 14, 2024.
Sweden’s “right of public access” (allemansrätten) allows people to pick many plants, mushrooms and berries in the country’s forests and fields. Remember, however, that one needs the landowner’s permission to pick the fruits of trees and certain other plants. Also, never pick more than you need, and remember that many plants are food for other animals.
One thing that is always important is to never eat anything you are unsure about, as many of the country’s plants can actually be very poisonous.
Chickweed (Stellaria media)
Harvested: All year round
This herb is a very common weed and grows mainly in gardens throughout the country. It grows in large stands and has egg-shaped leaves with small white flowers. It can also be recognized by the hairs on one side of the stem. In Sweden, it is the most common herbaceous weed.
It has many different names, but is most commonly called chickweed because it is often eaten by birds. It is also called fat grass and reed grass.
You can eat its leaves, flowers, shoots and stems. It is rich in carbohydrates and protein with a good amino acid composition. The herb also has a high content of ascorbic acid, i.e. vitamin C. The leaves also contain minerals and trace elements such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, magnesium, iron and zinc. It is also said to be rich in antioxidants. In short, it has a high nutritional content compared to other green plants.
The plant is often used raw in salads where you can mix in the whole plant, flowers and all. It is also said to be great for making pesto. The flavor is described as mild, grassy and spinachy. It is best to cut the tops and avoid getting the slightly coarser parts of the stalk further down. It should also be good to fry in butter and then flavor with salt, lemon and nutmeg.
The chickweed is said to be expectorant and therefore good for coughs. It has also been used to treat rheumatic pain, kidney problems, hemorrhoids and asthma. It is also said to have been used in folk medicine to bandage wounds. The leaves also have a moisturizing mucilage that makes it effective against sunburn or eczema, for example.
Chickweed. Photo: Harry Rose/CC BY 2.0
Hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta)
Harvested: March to November
This herb, often considered a weed, grows along the coastal strip up to the central parts of Sweden. It grows in various places such as forest edges, rock outcrops and gravel fields. It flowers in spring, but continues to grow until November. It is paired at the base and then has up to seven pairs of small leaves, as well as some hairy stem leaves and white flowers. It can be easily confused with other brambles, but all in the genus are edible.
The flavor is mildly peppery and you can eat the leaves, flowers, seeds and shoots. It can be used raw in salads, but also in soups or stews. However, it can lose some of its flavor if cooked, so it’s best to add it towards the end. The seeds can be used as a spice.
It contains some carbohydrates and proteins, but also potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. It is also said to have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antioxidant properties.
Traditionally, it has been used for inflamed hemorrhoids, coughs, whooping cough and indigestion. It is also used to make a paste that can be applied to wounds.
Hairy bittercress. Photo: Andreas Rockstein/CC BY-SA 2.0
Heather (Calluna vulgaris)
Harvested: July to October
Autumn heather, as it can also be called, is a dwarf shrub found throughout the country. It often grows in poor soil on moors, in sparse forests, pine bogs and rocky ground. Heather grows to a height of between 20 and 80 centimeters, has coniferous leaves and light purple flowers. It can be confused with the bell heather, but it has urn-shaped flowers instead.
Heather is a common decorative plant, especially in autumn and winter. It is also the landscape flower of Västergötland.
According to Skogsskafferiet, you can eat the stem, flower and leaves of heather. The plant is mainly used as a herbal tea, which is said to have a calming and anaesthetic effect. It is also said to be effective against gastritis, in which case the tea should be taken 30 minutes before meals. Traditionally, heather has also been used for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It is also said to be used to make an infusion of heather and to bathe wounds. Drinking heather tea can also provide relief from urinary tract infections.
The name “Calluna” comes from the Greek kallyno, meaning “to beautify”. According to Swedish folklore, however, it was not a good idea to bring heather into the home as an ornament, writes Sydved. It could lead to both poverty and death, according to the saying: “Pick heather – die young”. On the other hand, the seeds could be used to enrich flour and the roots were used to make baskets. The plant is also said to have been used for coloring yellow and brown.
Heather. Photo: Tero Karppinen/CC BY 2.0
Daisy (Bellis perennis)
Harvested: March to November
It grows on many lawns and pastures, but mainly in southern and central Sweden. They flower almost all year round. The flowers are usually white, but sometimes with pink radius and yellow disk floret.There are also several cultivated varieties in different colors, but the most common is red.
They resemble ox-eye daisies (leucanthemum vulgaris) commonly known as prästkrage in Sweden, but are smaller in size. Daisies also grow closer to the ground and often form “carpets” of flowers, while ox-eye daisies often grow higher up with one flower per stem.
Both flowers and leaves are edible. They can be used in salads and the flowers can be sprinkled on any dish. The flower petals can also be used as sprinkles or instead of coconut on chocolate balls.
In folk medicine, it has been used to treat fever and as an expectorant for coughs. It has also been used to treat eczema and fungus. The stems contain a sap that is said to have been effective against pimples.
The daisy. Montage. Foto: New York State IPM Program at Cornell University, Conall/CC BY 2.0
Summer is slowly coming to an end – but in August, both gardens and nature are flourishing. Now everything from apples and zucchini to chanterelles and blueberries is being harvested, and it’s now that many ingredients are at their very best.
August is the prime harvest month in Northern Europe – gardens, allotments, and forest edges are overflowing with fruit, vegetables, and berries. This is when flavors peak, as produce has had time to ripen naturally under the long summer days. Here are some of the nutritious foods harvested across Northern Europe in August.
Apples
Some apples can usually be harvested in August. Among others, the varieties Discovery, Alice, Transparente Blanche, according to ICA (Swedish grocery chain). Sure, it’s nice to buy Swedish apples in the store, but if a neighbor or friend has an apple tree, maybe it’s worth asking if it’s okay to pick some without extra detours…
Cabbage varieties
Cabbage can easily be attacked by pests during cultivation, but if you’ve managed to avoid them, it’s now that you can usually harvest many cabbage varieties. Broccoli and cauliflower are, for example, nutrient-dense vegetables that can be harvested in August. Broccoli contains more vitamin C, vitamin K, protein, iron and calcium compared to cauliflower, but both are good sources of fiber and also B vitamins.
August is also the main time you can find locally grown fennel in stores. It’s a crisp vegetable with a distinctive anise and licorice flavor, used both raw and cooked. Try it thinly sliced in salads or roasted in the oven. Fennel seeds are also a common bread spice.
Also, among others, white cabbage, black kale, napa cabbage and pointed cabbage are usually harvested in August.
Cucumber
The long cucumber is a popular greenhouse crop in Northern Europe, often eaten raw in salads or on sandwiches. Smaller pickling cucumbers are also common for preserves. Since cucumbers are very frost-sensitive, August is prime harvest time.
Zucchini
Zucchini can often be harvested as early as July, but in August the plants usually produce an abundance. It’s an excellent cooking vegetable, perfect for dishes like lasagna. Zucchini is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Cherries
Right now cherries are growing in large numbers in gardens across Northern Europe, notes among others the magazine Land (Swedish agricultural publication). However, they are not sold on a large scale in stores, but even in these cases it can pay off to check with the neighbor if it’s okay to pick a handful or two since they in many cases otherwise remain unpicked. In the refrigerator, the berries can keep for several weeks. Cherries are rich in antioxidants and also contain some vitamin C as well as potassium.
Radish and celery
The root vegetable daikon radish (similar to large radishes) can be used in all types of cooking, from stews to oven-roasted dishes. It’s also a key ingredient in the fermented Korean dish kimchi. Celery is also harvested in August, rich in vitamins and minerals, and tasty both raw and cooked.
Out in the forest…
It’s not only gardens that provide Northern Europe’s seasonal produce – nature offers treasures too. Right now is peak season for golden chanterelles, and wild raspberries can also be harvested (just watch out for larvae that sometimes hide in ripe berries). It’s also the season for the northern delicacy cloudberries, and of course, blueberries.
The return of wolves to Yellowstone National Park has contributed to an ecological recovery after decades of damage to plant and animal life. Now a new study shows that the park’s aspen populations are finally beginning to reestablish themselves – apparently thanks to the predator’s impact on the ecosystem.
During the 1930s, wolves were completely eradicated from Yellowstone National Park in the Rocky Mountains of the United States. This had major consequences for the ecosystem – as the deer population increased dramatically and began grazing intensively in the park. This led to a sharp decline in trees like aspens. Aspen is considered a keystone species in the park, and its decline affected other species that depend on the deciduous trees, including beavers, insects and birds.
In the 1990s, wolves were reintroduced to the park, which immediately changed the deer’s behavior – not only by taking some as prey, but primarily by causing the deer to stop grazing for long periods in the same places. The result was that vegetation recovered, which has had a major effect on biodiversity.
Remarkable change
Now researchers have documented the first new generation of aspens in the park. In the study, which was published in Forest Ecology and Management, researchers argue that the wolf’s return has contributed to the species’ recovery.
— The reintroduction of large carnivores has initiated a recovery process that had been shut down for decades, says the study’s lead author Luke Painter, who teaches ecology and conservation at OSU College of Agricultural Sciences, in a press release.About a third of the 87 aspen stands we examined had large numbers of tall saplings throughout, a remarkable change from the 1990s when surveys found none at all.
Another third of the examined stands had areas with tall saplings that were growing up to become new trees in the canopy layer, while the rest were still being held back by grazing. Researchers believe this may be due to bison increasing in certain parts of the park. The fact that stands with many tall saplings have low levels of grazing, while others continue to be held back, suggests that aspen recovery depends on an ecological chain reaction where predators affect plant life by reducing the number of grazing animals – rather than on factors like climate or soil fertility.
— This is a remarkable case of ecological restoration, says Painter. Wolf reintroduction is yielding long-term ecological changes contributing to increased biodiversity and habitat diversity.
