Research

The Forest Condition Monitoring Programme represents pan-European forest health monitoring in Finland. The monitoring activities are based on international agreements. There are two European forest health monitoring plots in Lapland, one at Matorova and the other in the Pallas-Ounastunturi National Park.

The following matters are monitored: crown condition and growth the relative abundance of underbrush species the amount and contents of forest litter chemical composition of needles, soil, soil water and particulate fall-out meteorologically significant surface properties of the forest stand; continuously-operating devices are used for this. In addition to basic monitoring, separate studies are carried out.

An ICP mast and a sample plot

Air-quality monitoring

The Pallas area boasts the cleanest air in continental Europe, and one of the main criteria for selecting this area as the site for intensive research activity was the absence of large local and regional pollution sources. The composition of the lower atmosphere is monitored at the Pallas GAW-station (Global Atmospheric Watch) located on the Sammaltunturi fell in the national park. The measurements made at the Matorova AMAP-station (Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme) are listed below:

• The Finnish Meteorological Institute measures concentration levels and effects of human-related pollutants on different parts of the environment and their natural radioactivityIn addition to the air and rain water. Samples are also taken of bioindicators, such as ants. The Finnish Environment Institute is responsible for the activities.
• Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and mercury in the air and rain water are measured in co-operation with the Swedish Environmental Research Institute IVL.

Other projects in the Pallasjärvi Research Forest:

• Impact of climate change on C and N transformations in organic soils
• Pools and fluxes of carbon on mineral soils and peatlands
• The ecological base and predictability of natural seedling establishment: flowering and seed crop monitoring
• Rodent cycles, damage and diseases
• In conjunction with the project Ecology and Management of Timberline Areas: Nordic birch research, the effect of thermal stratification and the speed of temperature change on how trees prepare for winter, and the effect of the altitude of the original site on the adaptation of spruce.
• Modelling of stand and tree development at the early stage and the effects of different young stand treatments on timber production
• Monitoring of game animal populations
• Survey of heavy metals by bioindicators
• Establishment of plant phenological monitoring network and forecast system of berry and mushroom yield

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