The nature trail showcases the diverse species of the area, with a special focus on the plant and insect species of the campus meadows. The trail consists of six informational boards installed around the campus. Following the mapped route, the trail spans approximately 1.2 kilometers. The first informational board is located next to the Info Centre Korona (see the map below).
Research from the University of Helsinki shows how meadows offer a sustainable alternative to lawns. Around the world, conventional grass lawns require substantial resources, contributing to excessive water usage, chemical pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Leaving at least one-third of our lawns to nature represents an attractive alternative, as meadows are characterized by self-sustaining ecosystems that require minimal intervention. They support a diverse range of plant and animal species and foster healthy soil, mitigating flood risks and enhancing water quality.
In urban environments, such as the Viikki University Campus, meadows can function as crucial green spaces, offering ecological connectivity between different habitats. This allows species to move and disperse, improving genetic diversity and population resilience. At the University of Helsinki, the creation of meadows is part of biodiversity initiatives and environmental stewardship, aiming to inspire a more ecologically conscious society. With more than 900 taxa recorded in 2024, the campus is transformed into a living laboratory that benefits wildlife, but also offers tranquil spaces for reflection, recreation, and immersion in nature. Please take a short, revitalizing nature walk between our meadows and buildings.
Lawn vs meadow -photo and campus trail map: Zowi Oudendijk. Viikki campus nature trail logo: Emma Hagman. The trail was funded by a University of Helsinki’s Sparkle grant.
Differences in soil properties, slope, and orientation can promote the presence of certain plant species. The characteristics of this site seem to be favorable for the harebell, Campanula rotundifolia.
Harebells are often found in dry, open places, such as dry meadows and road verges. The low-growing harebell can easily disappear under taller plants if the meadow is abandoned or fertilized, but here it flourishes! Harebells are mainly pollinated by small to medium-sized wild bees. You might spot the harebell carpenter bee (Chelostoma campanularum) here. This bee species is strictly oligolectic, collecting pollen exclusively from Campanula species, and males often sleep in the flowers.
If you pay close attention, you’ll notice that harebells have two leaf forms: the basal ones are roundish to heart-shaped, while the leaves along the stem are narrow and elongated.
This site used to be a dry, degraded lawn, which is like a barren desert in terms of its ecological value. Employees of the Finnish Environment Institute, who moved into the adjacent D-building in 2018, suggested that the site could be developed into a flower meadow, where flowers bloom and animals can find food and shelter. Mowing of the lawn was stopped, and many employees sowed seeds of meadow plants they had collected from the wild. In about five years, many plants typical of dry meadows and heathland habitats, such as hare’s-foot clover, wild thyme, viper's bugloss, and dark mullein, established themselves on the former lawn.
Natural dry meadows are nowadays rare and cover only small areas. They are traditional biotopes, created by long-standing cattle grazing, and very few remain today. Fortunately, many meadow species can also thrive in new human-made environments with similar characteristics, such as artificial meadows, small airfields, or abandoned gravel pits.
On this slope, the lawn has naturally transformed into a dry meadow, as grass does not thrive in dry and sun-exposed areas. Characteristic plants of this dry meadow include sheep’s sorrel (Rumex acetosella) and hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana). Sheep’s sorrel defends itself against herbivores with oxalic acid, but it does not prevent the larvae of copper butterflies from feeding on the plant.
Hoary alyssum originates from the dry steppes of southern Russia and arrived in Finland in the 19th century with Russian soldiers. It grows fairly commonly in old barrack areas, wastelands, roadsides, dry meadows, ports, and industrial areas. The name " hoary alyssum" comes from the plant's greyish coloration, which is caused by its dense covering of hairs. This hairy coat is an adaptation to dry habitats: it traps moisture and prevents water loss from the plant. Many insect species are attracted to the flowers of hoary alyssum. Can you spot hoverflies or bumblebees on them?
The four hills you see in front of you were previously maintained lawns that were mowed several times each summer. In autumn 2023, the hills were sown with meadow plants. Before sowing, the hills were mechanically prepared: the grass clumps were removed, and half of each mound was covered with a layer of sand about 10 cm thick. The same seed mixture, containing 25 different species of meadow plants, was sown on all the mounds. The species on the hills will be studied annually for several years to see which of the sown species become established and what effect the sand layer has on the meadow’s development. The results of the experiment will help determine which meadow plants are best suited for establishing a meadow on nutrient-rich substrate. Already at the beginning of the experiment, it can be seen that yarrow (Achillea millefolium) thrives on the hills. It provides food and shelter for numerous animals. Can you find insects or predatory flower spiders in the flowers?
Species sown on the hills:
Bumblebees play a critical role in our ecosystems, acting as essential pollinators of wildflowers and agricultural crops. They are able to "buzz pollinate", releasing pollen by vibrating flowers of tomatoes, blueberries and other crops. Without bumblebees, many plants would struggle to reproduce, leading to decreased biodiversity and crop yields. There are more than 30 bumblebee species in Finland, and protecting them as they buzz or hibernate is essential not only for their survival but also for maintaining the health and diversity of Finland’s natural landscapes.
The most common bumblebee species on the Viikki Campus are:
Life Cycle of a Bumblebee (Figure below)
These fluffy insects, known for their buzzing flight, undergo an annual life cycle that begins in early spring with the emergence of queens that have hibernated over the winter (1). Their first task is to find a food source (2) and a suitable nesting site, such as an abandoned rodent burrow or a cavity in a rock or tree stump. Once the nest is secured, the queen lays eggs (3) and incubates them by vibrating her muscles to generate heat. The first batch of adult offspring, called workers, takes over the foraging duties (4), while the queen stays in the nest to produce more eggs. Late in the summer, the colony produces new queens and males, which then mate (5). The males die shortly after mating, while the newly mated queens find a place to hibernate (6), and the cycle begins anew the following spring.
Figure: Anne Duplouy with Biorender
Courses for Students at the University of Helsinki
Climate University's educational resources are open to everyone and the courses available in multiple languages, for example Biodiversity.now
Understanding biodiversity change - human impacts on natural populations. The video is in English with subtitles in English and Finnish.
Biodiversity and sustainability at the University of Helsinki. On this page you will find related news, events, course tips and much more.