The Sikokallio area as a nature reserve

The

Rykmentinpuisto nature reserve in the Sikokallio area is a large 480-hectare area that was purchased by the municipality in 2008. Large-scale residential construction was envisaged for the area, and the current plans allow for this.

The world has changed in the reality of climate change and COVID-19. The increase in remote working and awareness of the well-being benefits of exercise, as well as the huge increase in the activities of the Sports Centre both in the Sports Centre area and in the nearby forests, have led people to discover Rykmentinpuisto, and more and more residents are aware of the value of the forest, which has been preserved in its natural state.

In the vicinity of Sikokallio, a landscape work permit is currently being sought for the felling of trees (50-70% of the trees would be felled) in the local recreation area surrounding the business area, which is already a perfect recreation area in itself. The word ‘central park’ has

been used in the plans for the Rykmentinpuisto area. Instead of preserving the area as a natural forest, the plans for the central park include stormwater ponds, planting boxes and planted trees. 

Rykmentinpuisto is also unique in that it already has a network of recreational trails, excellent ski tracks and a very popular and highly praised frisbee golf course that spreads across the entire Puistokylä area. The number of annual visitors is currently around 80,000. These kinds of opportunities encourage young people to exercise, which is a valuable goal.

A year ago, Olli Manninen, who is familiar with mapping endangered forests, conducted a field study in the Sikokallio area. He studied the occurrence of the moss species Sphagnum fimbriatum and found 400 observations of this rare moss on his GPS map.

 Olli Manninen used the occurrences observed at the site to draw up proposals for the protection of core areas. “A large number of decaying moss stems
were found in the spruce-dominated forests of the area, and these forests proved to be quite strong areas of occurrence for the species. Four stems with spore capsules were found (more would certainly have been found with a more detailed inventory), and over 400 stems (stumps, decaying tree trunks or pieces of decaying wood) were found to have protonema gemmae, i.e. groups of spores.
 
Occurrence areas:

Sikokallio SW, 5.11 hectares, 1 + >60 occurrence trunks The spruce-dominated forests

on the eastern slope of Sikokallio provide abundant habitat suitable for the species, with the wettest parts having the richest occurrences. The occurrence area is bordered by younger pine-dominated forests to the east and drier rocky forests to the west.

Uusikylä (swamp), 7.47 hectares, approximately 30 protonema trunks

This drained but largely natural swamp area is a representative nature site and worthy of protection according to the METSO programme criteria. The site was surveyed fairly quickly, which is why ‘only’ about thirty specimens were found. The central parts of the mire are too wet in places for the species, but the forests at the edges of the site are particularly suitable for it. More decaying wood is being created, and the conditions for the species are good if the site is preserved in its natural state. A more detailed study of the species’ occurrence would be appropriate. The site also yielded sphagnum moss (RT, NT) and ball moss (nature value species).

Sammaloja, 6.15 hectares, 2 + >200 occurrence stems The forests

around Sammaloja are among the richest areas for decaying wood moss in the region. The moist, boggy forests have maintained a very abundant and vigorous population of the species in some places. The moisture conditions of the streams and sheltered spruce forests are excellent for the species, and there is plenty of suitable decaying wood in the area. Somewhat surprisingly, several specimens were found even in the deciduous-dominated ditch-side forests in the central part of the site.

East of Sammaloja, 0.83 hectares, 1 + >30 specimens The forest

east of Sammaoja is also a moist old spruce forest that is very suitable for the species. The stands are vigorous and the forest structure will continue to be good for the species if it is allowed to develop undisturbed. Recent clear-cutting in the adjacent plot has destroyed the species’ habitats and exposed the forest edge to sunlight. This may temporarily weaken the growth of the species at the edge of the site. The species was not found during the field visit, although it is likely to remain, especially at the eastern edge of the clearing. The site should be surveyed and the future of the species considered on the plot owned by the municipality as well.

Proposal to take the occurrence of decaying wood moss into account

The occurrences of decaying wood moss in the area appear to be very strong and viable, and a special permit would be required to destroy them. A one-day field survey is not sufficient to accurately assess the condition of the mosses in the entire area. In addition to the areas presented here, there are likely to be mosses on the western side of Sammaloja and in some of the recently logged areas. A more detailed survey of the area’s Lahokaviosammal moss situation would be appropriate due to the site’s zoning plans. Lahokaviosammal moss occurrences must be protected as part of the zoning process, and the plan must be amended so that valuable natural sites are preserved. This would mean a significant reduction in the planned plan.

Other species and natural values The forests presented

in the Lahokaviosammalrajaukset are also the most interesting in the planned plan area in terms of their other conservation values and structure. For example, all sites contain polypore species indicative of old-growth forest and other species that thrive in natural forests. A more thorough nature survey of the area’s forest nature values would be appropriate, as the surveys conducted so far are clearly incomplete in terms of forest nature values. The rocky pine forests of Sikokallio were not visited, but they are clearly worthy of protection and also important for recreational use. Lahokaviosammalta is unlikely to be found in the rocky pine forests. Olli Manninen, (22 June 2020) Maps attached.

Initiative

The Rykmentinpuisto local master plan should be re-examined.

The Rykmentinpuisto area and possible nature conservation areas should be examined in connection with the ongoing Puistokylä participation and assessment plan. I propose that new nature surveys be carried out in the Sikokallio area and that Sikokallio be designated a nature conservation area. This would support both the activities of the Sports Centre and the recreation of residents. 

This content has been translated using AI

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