Helsinki Metropolitan Area HMA-LTSER - Finland

The Helsinki Metropolitan Area HMA-LTSER platform belongs to the LTER-Finland network, and it covers a metropolitan area comprising Espoo, Helsinki, Kauniainen and Vantaa municipalities. About a fifth of the population in Finland lives within this platform’s boundaries, and it is the most multicultural and rapidly growing area in the country. HMA-LTSER is located on the northern shore of the Baltic Sea, between the boreal and hemiboreal climatic zones. The platform includes the most urbanised areas in Finland, which are in turn interspersed with managed mixed coniferous forests and parks, peatlands, lakes and streams. The periurban area of the platform also contains agricultural land and commercial plantations, as well as part of the waters and coast of the Baltic Sea. The area within the platform represents a blend of cosmopolitan urban life and tranquil natural landscapes, making it an attractive place for both residents and visitors. HMA-LTSER monitors relevant environmental parameters along an urbanisation gradient as well as different aspects concerning human-nature relations. The cities of Espoo, Helsinki, Kauniainen and Vantaa, as the network partners, contribute to the platform by offering data for research as well as applying research outputs in planning, policy-making and civic activities. HMA-LTSER is envisioned as a hub for different initiatives interested in exploring topics related to human-nature interactions and ecosystem services within an urban frame.