FAO State of the World's Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture. National Report

• Main Authors: Herzon, Irina, Rajala, Tanja, Heinimaa, Petri, Birge, Traci, Kiviharju, Elina, Keskitalo, Marjo, Kantanen, Juha, Helenius, Juha
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: maa- ja metsätalousministeriö 2014
• Subjects: biodiversity; food; agriculture; Northern Finland; reindeer husbandry; Tundra
• Online Access: http://julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/handle/10024/80328

Finland is characterised by a northerly location within the boreal and tundra zones, with abundant forest and water resources. Agricultural production is limited to a low number of crop varieties and animal breeds adapted to northern conditions. Agricultural production is highly specialised, mechanised and dependent on high external inputs. The only indigenous land use type is reindeer husbandry in northern Finland. Utilization of wild foods is commonplace though much traditional knowledge has been lost. The shares of agriculture, fisheries and wild food procurement in the national economy are not high, though the activities remain important for rural livelihoods and culture.