River Kokemäenjoki

The case study of the River Kokemäenjoki dealed with the coastal Northwest corner of the city of Pori. This part of the city is well known for its nature, landscape and recreational use. There are also substantial industrial activities and two harbours in the area.

The purpose of this study was to create a scenario plan - the Watersketch - that facilitates multiple interests and uses of land and water in the region. As part of the scenario process a series of collaborative workshops were arranged during which four areas of multiple interests - the Kokemäenjoki Delta, inshore waters, traffic and Yyteri area - were recognized and key factors influencing the development of these four hotspots identified. As the final product, credible alternatives and scenarios for Meri-Pori was documented.

The document itself, but perhaps more so the consensus building process grounding it, will activate and support interest groups, stakeholders, decision makers and general public into a long-term co-operation for the realistic future of the area.

Outcomes

• The chapter "Towards Transactive Scenario Planning - The river Kokemäenjoki and Scenarios for Meri-Pori" of the Watersketch Handbook can be downloaded here

 Oulujoki River Basin

The Oulujoki catchment is located in the boreal zone in the Fennoscandian ecoregion in Northern Finland. It is one of the largest river basins in Finland totaling 22841 km² with an annual mean flow of 259m³/sec. Vegetation in the catchment area is dominated by forests. Forestry operations, such as clearcutting, drainage and tillage, may have significant impacts especially on the ecological status of the small upstream lakes and rivers. Also, local peat production may deteriorate water quality and ecology.

Different case studies have been developed to examine the impact of various land uses in the river basin.

• The forestry case study started with an intensive field work period at six different small lakes.
• The peat production case study focused on model development, demonstrations and collecting and
• analyzing additional environmental data.
• The hydropower case study used existing data for the determination of environmental potential.
• The nature protection area case study developed criteria for determination of water dependent Natura 2000 values in an approach for selecting the relevant Natura 2000 areas for the register of protected areas.

The peat production and forestry case studies organised several stakeholders meetings, whilst the main actions of the hydropower and nature protection areas case studies are going to take place during the third reporting period.

Outcomes

• The chapter "Multiple use and related environmental problems of the Oulujoki River Basin" of the Watersketch Handbook can be downloaded here