Where biodiversity is endangered in vulnerable ecosystems, international borders can become obstacles to effective biodiversity protection. Transboundary governance is necessary for developing and enhancing better practices, relationship and cooperation on topics such as promoting environment policies, where perception of landscapes can diverge. 

The northernmost part of Europe has a long history of transboundary cooperation, in particular along the borders between Finland and its neighbors Sweden and Norway. These border areas, from the Bay of Bothnia almost all the way to the Arctic Ocean, is one of the research areas in the international project TRANSNATURE, funded under the Biodiversa+ scheme.

This interdisciplinary research scrutinizes different European cross-border cooperation working on biodiversity protection and provide understandable tools in order to develop efficient transboundary cooperation in Europe to protect natural resources. The aim is to enhance protection of natural resources in Europe and beyond. Together with colleagues from Italy, Spain, and Belgium, Arctic Centre researchers investigate the transboundary protection of biodiversty in a holistic and interdisciplinary matter.

– This governance cooperation comparative analysis will give more tools to understand alternative models for ecosystems conservation and giving efficient strategies and recommendations for safeguarding biodiversity, says research professor Stefan Kirchner.

Through the cooperation between experts from international law, anthropology and regional studies, the new project TRANSNATURE will generate a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between neighboring countries in managing together natural resources protection. 

Arctic governance research group consists of around three dozen staff members and visiting researchers from different disciplines who focus on issues such as international law and its role in polar regions, Arctic governance and cooperation in the Arctic, protection of the natural environment, ocean governance, climate change and climate justice, human rights, securities, and the future of the Arctic region. The research group aims to provide knowledge keys about Arctic governance and inform communities and organizations to act and take decisions to protect their ecosystems.

At the Arctic Centre, the following experts contribute to TRANSNATURE:  

Researcher Paula Tulppo, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland
Researcher Katharina Heinrich, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland
Senior Researcher Nuccio Mazzullo, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland
Head of Research Group and Professor Stefan Kirchner, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland

More information:

Stefan Kirchner
stefan.kirchner(at)ulapland.fi 
Arctic Centre, University of Lapland

Link to the project presentation