A good example of well-established environmental cooperation is the biomonitoring of shoreline waters of the cities Helsinki and Tallinn, which is based on an initiative from Tallinn. The biomonitoring of the shoreline waters by macroalgae of the cities Helsinki and Tallinn has been conducted since 1992. This represents a joint effort between the environmental authorities of both cities in addition to the universities of Helsinki and Tartu as well as the Estonian Marine Institution.
The scientific basis for comparing the results inside and between the sea areas is now well-established. The study is carried out every year on the Estonian side and once every 4 or 5 years on the Finnish side.
The littoral zone is important not only to the biomonitoring process itself but for the activities connected with human welfare and the marine ecosystem. The complexity of the littoral sea-land interface creates challenges for the researcher, which can only be solved by positive cooperation and favourable relationships between the counterparts.
For further information, please contact Mr Ilkka Viitasalo, fax: +358 9 7312 2675.
