NEWS
New version of the Zonation software is released 18.5.2022
Zonation 5 is arguably the most powerful approach to spatial priority ranking currently available. The software is computationally highly efficient and straightforward to use. With suitable combinations of data and analysis setups, many different analytical needs can be answered.
In Finland, Zonation analyses have been utilized in several national-scale conservation projects during the last ten years. As part of the Forest Biodiversity Programme METSO 2008–2025, the conservation area network has been expanded twice in state-owned forests and the use of Zonation has had an important role in the final decisions. Zonation analyses have also been developed 3 times (in the years 2012, 2016 and 2018) to support the voluntary-based establishment of forest conservation areas and pro-biodiversity forest management plans in privately-owned areas. In 2014–2015, Zonation results served in developing a supplementary mire conservation programme.
The forest owner also benefits from Zonation analyses: the results are used to inform land owners about sites that might be suitable for voluntary protection through the METSO programme.
The development of Zonation analyses to support national and regional conservation and land use planning takes place through a broad-based project financed mainly by the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Participants include Metsähallitus, the Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, the Finnish Forest Centre, Tapio, the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, and the Universities of Helsinki and Jyväskylä.
More information:
Hiidenportti National Park © Ninni Mikkonen