Large‐scale changes in abundance of terricolous bryophytes and macrolichens in Finland

Abstract

Abstract. Major changes in forest floor vegetation were identified on the basis of three nationwide surveys conducted as part of national forest inventories in 1951–1953, 1985–1986 and 1995. These surveys provided objectively selected, statistically representative samples of all forested land in Finland. The 1951–1953 data consist of over 10000 sample plots, while the later surveys were conducted on ca. 3000 permanent plots. Changes in relative abundance of dominant species (i.e. in the proportions of species of the total cover of forest floor vegetation) were analysed across biogeographical provinces. Spatial correlation, systematic sampling, partial re‐measurement and multiple testing were taken into account in assessment of the statistical significance of the observed changes. The most notable changes in forest floor vegetation were a decrease in the relative abundance of Hylocomium splendens and an increase in Dicranum polysetum. In N Finland, where forests are grazed by semi‐domestic reindeer, we observed a decline in the abundance of Cladina lichens and an increase in Dicranum mosses. Peltigera aphthosa declined throughout the country. Polytrichum juniperinum, Pohlia nutans, and Brachythecium species, which occupy disturbed sites or grow on litter, increased in abundance. The relative abundance of Sphagnum species decreased, particularly in W Finland, where Pleurozium schreberi was favoured. A major decline in S. fuscum was also recorded in C and E Finland. Many of the changes detected in this study are apparently related to intensified forest management; but solely on the basis of this study, its effects cannot be distinguished from those of other large‐scale environmental changes.

Vegetation patterns of boreal herb-rich forests in the Koli region, eastern Finland: classification, environmental factors and conservation aspects

“…Conventional classification of boreal herb-rich forests is mainly based on vascular flora ( Kaakinen 1974, Alanen et al 1996, Kuusipalo 1996 but other groups, such as bryophytes, may also be useful in the classifications (La Roi and Stringer 1976). Terricolous bryophytes are regarded as good indicators of site quality (Ulvinen et al 2002) and environmental changes (Vellak et al 2003, Mäkipää andHeikkinen 2003). Bryophytes, however, indicate other environmental factors than vascular plants (Carleton 1990, Ulvinen et al 2002, Ingerpuu et al 2003, and they are important for distinguishing boreal herb-rich forests from herb-rich spruce mires (Kuusipalo 1985, 1996, Eurola et al 1984, Laine and Vasander 1998.…”

Uncertainty of upland soil carbon sink estimate for Finland

“…Litter was estimated with cover-to-biomass models and with turnover rates. The litter input of the ground vegetation groups such as shrubs, herbs and grasses, lichens, and mosses of both southern and northern Finland were estimated with data from 3000 permanent sample plots, described in more detail by Mäkipää and Heikkinen (2003). Biomass models ) and the litter turnover rates from Liski et al (2006) were used to estimate litter (see Appendix A, Table A5).…”

Soil carbon stock increases in the organic layer of boreal middle-aged stands

“…A systematic network of 3000 permanent sample plots was established by the Finnish National Forest Inventory for the monitoring of forest ecosystems (Mäkipää and Heikkinen, 2003), and the first soil sampling on mineral soil sites was performed on a sub-sample of 486 plots from the nation-wide network during 1986-1989(Tamminen and Starr, 1990. In 2005, soil sampling was repeated on a subsample of n = 38 plots where the stand age varied between 22 and 65 years at the time of the first sampling.…”