baumzaehlen - Primeval Forests & Their Trees

Salamanperä Strict Nature Reserve, Finland

The reserve (12.7 km²) consists of a mosaic of forests and bogs. The forests, regenerated naturally after wildfires of the mid-1800s ¹, are mostly light dry Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) forests. Here and there, old emergent P. sylvestris trees that survived the fires can be seen. After P. sylvestris, the most abundant trees are Picea abies (Norway spruce) and Betula pendula (silver birch). Altogether there are about 10 tree species. In one hectare, there are typically 2–6 tree species in Finland’s forests². You may have difficulties distinguishing between B. pendula and B. pubescens (downy birch) but other tree species are very easy to identify. The reserve is located at approx. 190 m elevation; differences in elevation are small. Average annual temperature is 2.1°C and annual precipitation approx. 570 mm ³.

Although the park is relatively small, bogs and old-growth forests visible behind the bogs create a feeling of wilderness. Hiking is only allowed on two trails running through the reserve. Camping is not permitted. In the north, the reserve is adjacent to Salamajärvi National Park but not to Koirajoki Primeval Forest (a part of the national park).

References:

1       Salamajärven suojelualuekokonaisuuden hoito- ja käyttösuunnitelma 2006–2015. 2007. Metsähallitus.

2       Vuokko, S. (2016): Latva pilviä piirtää. Maahenki Oy.

3       https://en.climate-data.org/