Browsing by Subject "lahoasteluokka"

Dead wood includes everything between small branches and large trunks. Dead wood is created by abiotic and biotic factors like wind, lightning, competition and diseases. The amount of dead wood in Finland varies significantly between managed and natural forests. Approximately 50 % of the biomass of dead wood is carbon and thus dead wood is a notable carbon storage. Carbon may remain in dead wood for decades after the tree death. The amount of nitrogen in dead wood is small and it increases when the decay process proceeds. The aim of this study was to research the amount and quality of dead wood near the SMEAR II -station. The study also examined how the amount of carbon and nitrogen in dead wood varies between tree species and decay classes. Dead wood measurements were done at the ICOS-plots (24 pcs.) near the SMEAR II -station. At every plot there was a measurement area of 60 m2 where every piece of dead wood at the diameter of 2 cm or more was measured. Only dead wood inside the measurement area was measured. The length and top and down diameters of downed dead wood were measured. In case of standing dead wood the length and diameter at breast height were measured. The height and top diameter of stumps were measured as well. The decay class and appearance of dead wood were determined according to national forest inventory´s criteria. Based on the measurements the amount of dead wood at the plots and the whole area was calculated. Dead wood samples were taken from the plots. The samples were dried, milled and their carbon and nitrogen concentrations were analysed. The study revealed that the amount of dead wood in the study area is larger than in managed forests on average. Downed dead wood was the most common dead wood type while standing dead wood was the rarest type. The number of stumps was quite large. The most common species were Scots pine, Norway spruce and birch. The amount of dead wood varied significantly between the plots. The concentration of carbon in dead wood was on average 49 % and there were no differences between tree species and decay classes. The concentration of nitrogen was on average 0,8 % which is relatively high compared to other studies, and the concentration increased with increased decaying. There was a significant variation on nitrogen concentration between decay classes but not between tree species. This study supports other studies´ results that dead wood has an important role on carbon and nitrogen cycling in the forest.