Ränskälänkorpi experimental peatland area (≈25ha) is located in Southern Finland and has been well drained for forestry before the 1960’s. The area is dominated by a tree layer of mature Norway spruce (Picea abies) mixed with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Downy birch (Betula pubescens). Peat layer, consisting of sedge (Carex) and wood dominated peat, is mainly > 1 m. The area comprises 3 different stand treatments: non-harvested control area (C, ≈7.3ha), continuous cover forestry (CCF, ≈10.0ha), and clear-cutting (≈6.1ha). The monitoring of the site was initiated in 2019 and the harvesting, according to treatments, was carried out in March-April 2021.

Objectives

The area was established to evaluate the effects of continuous cover forestry and clear-cutting practices on tree stand development, hydrology, and GHG fluxes between the ecosystem and atmosphere on boreal drained peatland forests.

Local Focus

Evaluation of harvesting systems on boreal drained peatland forests.