Geological controls on conifer distributions and their implications for forest management in Finnish Lapland

Abstract

Soil water and nutrient regimes of naturally established old-growth conifer stands and those of intensively managed Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] sites were assessed over a range of lithological provinces in Finnish Lapland. Soil dielectric permittivity (ε), as a measure of soil water content (θ _v) and soil electrical conductivity (σ _a), as a measure of soil solute content, were species specific, such that high soil θ _v>0.27 cm³cm⁻³ (ε>15) constitutes an edaphic constraint for Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and low soil solute content (σ _atilt/shoulder σ _a>trench σ _a. The results imply that MSP treatments through which cross-contour tracks are created pose a risk to the sustainability of soil quality in Lapland.