Some of the research forests are protected

Protection areas increase the diversity of nature in the research forest and provide research with interesting reference areas together with managed forests. Some of the protection areas have been established by a statute and some have been preserved by the research institute’s decision. The protection areas established by a statute are important for Finland also because they complement the national network of protection areas, in which no measures causing changes in the natural environment may be taken, even for the sake of research. In the areas protected by Metla’s decision, measures may be taken in conjunction with research activities, but all drastic measures are to be steered to other areas.
The protection areas included in the Kivalo Research Area consist of old-growth forests or lush herb-rich forests. The protection areas cover a total of 870 hectares in the Kivalo Research Area.

Some of the protection areas belong to the EU Natura 2000 network. Descriptions of species and classifications of biotopes characterising these areas are found also on the Natura web pages of the Ministry of the Environment.