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Pyhä-Häkki National Park, Finland
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Most of the forest in this park (13 km 2 ) has grown without noticeable human disturbance 1 . Thus, it is the largest primeval forest of southern Finland.
Before the introduction of modern fire suppression, the fire return interval in central Finland was approximately 50–120 years
2
. The last fire in the park was in 1921
1
. However, these fires were mostly of human origin; particularly in the period which began at the end of 1500’s and ended about 1850, the fire interval was much shorter than the natural one, which had been 200–500 years
3
. Gap-dynamics and surface fires were the dominant natural disturbance regime unlike, for example, in western Siberia and central Canada (see
Prince Albert National Park
), where crown fires are dominant
4
.
Pinus sylvestris
(Scots pine) and
Picea abies
(Norway spruce) dominate.
P. sylvestris
is present everywhere from bogs to the driest areas; it is the most drought-tolerant and nutrient-stress-tolerant of the Eurasian boreal tree species
5
, and the thick bark of large individuals protects them from fire
4
. On dry soils, it maintains its dominance, but in the absence of fire, fire-intolerant and more shade-tolerant
5
P. abies
is invading mesic soils. The dark
P. abies
stands contrast with light
P. sylvestris
stands. The other large tree species of the park are
Betula pendula
(silver birch),
B. pubescens
(downy birch),
Populus tremula
(common aspen) and on a few wet sites
Alnus glutinosa
(black alder). You may have difficulties distinguishing between
B. pendula
and
B. pubescens
but other tree species are very easy to identify.
The park is located at an elevation of approx. 160–190 metres . Annual precipitation is 600 mm and average annual temperature 2.5°C. Off-trail hiking is very easy, apart from bogs. Camping is not allowed in the park but possible outside the park boundaries, like everywhere in Finland, Sweden and Norway.
References :
1 Pyhä-Häkin kansallispuisto. Metsähallitus.
2 Parviainen, J., Päivinen, R., Uuttera, J. & Varmola, M. (1999): Finland. In Parviainen, J. et al. (eds.): Research in Forest Reserves and Natural Forests in European Countries . EFI Proceedings No. 16, 1999.
3 Keto-Tokoi, P. & Kuuluvainen, T. (2010): Suomalainen aarniometsä. Maahenki.
4
Shorohova, E., Kneeshaw, D., Kuuluvainen, T. & Gauthier, S. (2011):
Variability and Dynamics of Old-Growth Forests in the Circumboreal Zone: Implications for Conservation, Restoration and Management
.
Silva Fennica
45
(5).
5 Nikolov, N & Helmisaari , H. (1992): Silvics of the circumpolar boreal forest tree species. In Shugart, H. H. et al. (eds.): A Systems Analysis of the Global Boreal Forest , 13 – 84. Cambridge.
Official site:
http://www.nationalparks.fi/en/pyha-hakkinp
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Picea abies (Norway spruce) forest. Also Populus tremula (common aspen), extreme left, and dead Betula sp. (birch, white trunk), left. Elev. 170 m.
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The tallest and most heavily wooded stand of the park with Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine, with coarse lower bark and reddish upper bark) and Picea abies (Norway spruce), both up to 35 m tall. Also shrub-like Sorbus aucuparia (European rowan). Elev. 170 m.
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Forest on dry soil with Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine, foreground and red trunks in the background), Picea abies (Norway spruce, with dark foliage) and Betula pendula (silver birch, with white bark). Elev. 175 m.
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Kotajärvi at 165 m. Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) forest. Left also Picea abies (Norway spruce); right also small Betula pubescens (downy birch).
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Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) forest at 175 m regenerated after wildfire in 1855. Also Picea abies (Norway spruce) sapling, right.
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Boggy forest with Alnus glutinosa (black alder, dark trunks), Betula pubescens (downy birch, white trunks), Picea abies (Norway spruce, foliage on the right) and Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine, red trunks, background) at 165 m.
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Alnus incana (grey alder), foreground. Also Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine), left, and Picea abies (Norway spruce), right.