Research

The Kivalo Research Forest is located in southern Lapland

The research conducted on tree species has resulted in information on different alternatives that can be applied to practical forestry. Larch thrives also on highlands.

On Metla’s network of research forests the Kivalo Research Area represents the forests of southern Lapland and the features of nature all the way from the so-called Lapland triangle to eastern Lapland. Information is available on the development of the forests in the research area since the end of the 1800s. This is one of the assets of the research forests: information has been gathered on the development of forests and the tests carried out during many decades. Another significant advantage is that the research forests enable tests which are not possible in private forests. In addition to Metla’s researchers, also the researchers of other organisations may carry out tests in Metla’s research forests.

Research projects related to the Kivalo research forest:

• Functionality of new forest treatment guidelines in northern Finland
• Models, planning and decision-support for multi-functional forestry
• Methods, models and goals of multi-objective forest planning
• Modelling of stand and tree development at the early stage and the effects of different young stand treatments on timber production
• Natural forests: structure, dynamics and biodiversity as compared with managed forests
• Growth, yield and stand dynamics on drained peatlands
• Impacts of cuttings on stand and site nutrition, tree growth and stand dynamics
• Peat nutrient regime and sustainable wood production on peatlands
• Pools and fluxes of carbon on mineral soils and peatlands
• Finnish Programme for the Intensive Monitoring of Forest Ecosystems (ICP-Forests/Level II)
• Seed crop forecasts
• Needle proxies as environmental indicators
• Cultivation of exotic and special tree species
• Breeding and seed production populations
• Shoot and foliage diseases

Acquaint yourself also with the research priorities of the Rovaniemi Research Area.