Common forest species are rarely mentioned in news or feature article headlines, even though they play a significant role in ecosystems. One particularly valuable species is the bilberry. This article presents five facts that show why this dark blue pearl of the Nordic forests is valuable to both humans and nature.

1. A biodiversity indicator
“Bilberries are a very important species in the forest because they provide food for many mammals, from bears to roe deer, and are also consumed by voles and insects,” explains Professor Anne Tolvanen (Anne Tolvanen), Programme Director at the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), when speaking about biodiversity issues to the portal forest.fi.

Vaccinium myrtillus thrives in the coniferous forests of the northern region, found in the boreal and subarctic vegetation zones of Europe, Asia, and North America. It is a low shrub whose sweet, dark blue berries ripen in Finland at the end of July.

Flowering in the spring, bilberries are a vital food source for various pollinators, especially bumblebees. The decline in pollinator populations is a cause for concern in many parts of the world. To support pollinators, special guidelines have been developed for commercial forestry in Finland.

2. A motivator for forest management
A few years ago, Finns were shocked by news that bilberry areas were shrinking. Newspaper headlines reported that their habitats had decreased by almost 50% compared to the 1950s. Reasons cited for the disappearance of bilberries included clear-cutting, soil preparation, and forests becoming too dense for the plant. According to information from Luke, bilberry areas declined between the 1950s and 1980s, but have been increasing again since 1995.

Since the 1990s, lighter methods of soil preparation have been used, and bilberry habitats have “revived,” at least in southern Finland. An inventory of forest and peatland vegetation, dubbed “Operation Bilberry” (Operation Bilberry), examined 3,000 sample plots across all regions of Finland. Results will be available by the end of 2023.

“Bilberries will return to forests (after clear-cutting and forest regeneration) faster if their underground root network is not disrupted by soil preparation. Until the 1990s, invasive soil preparation methods like harrowing were common. Today, the less invasive method of mounding is clearly more widespread,” writes Professor Raisa Mäkipää.

“When developing forest management methods, we need the latest information on changes in forest and peatland vegetation so that they can be more sustainable and biodiversity-friendly,” says Professor Mäkipää.

3. Beneficial for health
Research has found that bilberries have health benefits. The berries are high in vitamin C, vitamin E, and fibre. Studies show that bilberries may improve eye health and reduce conditions such as mild inflammation. The results of several studies suggest that including bilberries in the diet can improve memory.

The aforementioned health effects of bilberries are attributed to the polyphenol compounds they contain in large quantities (as mentioned in a Luke summary). The most typical group of polyphenols found in bilberries are anthocyanins, which belong to a subgroup of antioxidants (flavonoids). Wild bilberries contain five times more of these than cultivated blueberries.

4. Organic and easily accessible
In July and August, if you crave bilberries, all you have to do is grab a bucket and head to the forest. This is a common practice in Finland. Picking bilberries and other forest berries is permitted in all forests under the principle of public right of access, regardless of whether the forest is privately owned commercial land or a national park.

At the beginning of the summer, the media provides updates on the berry harvest. This year, there are concerns that the cold nights experienced during the bilberry flowering period have depleted the expected yield. Luke publishes a more accurate forecast around Midsummer.

Finns gather and freeze berries to use them in winter, while school children can earn money by selling them. Income from hand-picked berries is tax-exempt up to a certain threshold. It is said that the best and most diligent berry pickers can earn thousands of euros this way.

However, people have neglected the majority of the berry harvest in Finnish forests. There are vast numbers of forests in Finland, but less than a tenth of the forest berry crop is actually harvested. Statistics from the Finnish Food Authority indicate that 9.4 million kilograms of bilberries were picked in 2022.

It is believed that commercial demand could be much higher because more than 90% of berries and mushrooms in Finland can be harvested from areas that qualify as organic. It should be noted, however, that only a small proportion of these areas have been officially certified as organic so far.

5. Delicious
Bilberries are best eaten fresh. They are a great ingredient for various crumbles and desserts, as well as jams and yoghurts. The most traditional Finnish treats made from bilberries are bilberry pie and bilberry cold soup.

When it comes to frozen bilberries—whether from one's own freezer or store-bought—the well-known Martha Association (Martha Association, a non-profit organisation known for educating the public on various household matters) in Finland suggests thawing the berries by pouring boiling milk over them.

Bilberry leaves, meanwhile, can be used in salads or herbal teas and have traditionally been used to treat various ailments.
Vilma Issakainen's photograph used for the original article, and zemeunvalsts.lv photograph
https://forest.fi/article/five-facts-about-the-bilberry-not-only-superfood-but-also-a-biodiversity-indicator/#b5ae0bbe