Sosioecological tools for the planning of Kainuu tourism

Project description

In this project we investigated how people’s recreational activities, values, and land use preferences are related to the protection level, biodiversity and cultural heritage values of nature-based tourism areas in northern Finland. We assessed peoples’ opinions using a public participation geographic information system (PPGIS) and analyzed the data together with spatial biodiversity and cultural heritage data from the same area. Associations between the PPGIS place markings with the protection level and biodiversity values were quite low, and for the cultural heritage sites they were altogether missing. Negative preferences were often marked in areas with high numbers of sites rated as pleasant and they overlapped with each other, indicating conflicting preferences. Since most activities are not noticeably related to the protection level or biodiversity values of a site they can be planned so as to protect the biodiversity of the area.

Research themes

Ecosystem management

Integrated landscape management

Project details

Start date:

January 1, 2011
End date:

December 31, 2014
Location:
Funded by:

European Regional Development Fund, ERDF
Objectives:

Project contact

Anne Tolvanen

The Natural Resources Institute Finland

Team members

Katja Kangas
Anne Jäkäläniemi
Ismo Vendelin
Esa Huhta
Marjatta Hytönen
Ari Nikula
Vesa Nivala
Oili Tarvainen
Seija Tuulentie
Liisa Tyrväinen

Participating partners

Related publications

Tolvanen, A., Kangas, K., Vendelin, I., Huhta, E., Hytönen, M., Jäkäläniemi, A., Kyttä, M., Nikula, A., Nivala, V., Tarvainen, O., Tuulentie, S. & Tyrväinen, L. (2014). Vaaka punnitsee, arvottaa, tasapainottaa –toimintamalli Vaara-Kainuun matkailualueiden suunnitteluun. 62 s. Grano.

Tolvanen, A., Kangas, K., Tarvainen, O., Huhta, E., Jäkäläniemi, A., Kyttä, M., Nikula, A., Nivala, V., Tuulentie, S. & Tyrväinen, L. (2020). Data on recreational activities, respondents’ values, land use preferences, protection level and biodiversity in nature-based tourism areas in Finland. Data in Brief 31, 105724. doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2020.105724

Tolvanen, A., Kangas, K., Tarvainen, O., Huhta, E., Jäkäläniemi, A., Kyttä, M., Nikula, A., Nivala, V., Tuulentie, S. & Tyrväinen, L. (2020). The relationship between people’s activities and values with the protection level and biodiversity. Tourism Management 81, 104141. doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2020.104141