IN0803

Värriö Subarctic Research Station

Sub-Arctic

Open

Station

Finland

Station

1967

Year-Round

Värriö Subarctic Research Station is managed by University of Helsinki, Department of Physics.

The area is a subarctic pine forest with several mountains and ridges reaching 500–600 m a.s.l. The station is located in the Värriö Strict Nature Reserve, and thus access without permission is forbidden. Small lakes, wetlands, and rivers are located around the station, which lies on the south facing slope of a small hill. Nearest population centres and industry are 100 km away.

The station is located in a nature reserve, and thus the natural state of the environment in the region is protected. The alpine tree line (Pinus sylvestris, Betula pubescens subsp. czerepanovii, and Betula nana) lies at about 470 m a.s.l. Below it, old-growth pine forests with some open mires and spruce swamps are the main vegetation types. Open dry tundra heath lies above the tree line. The climate is sub-continental with an annual mean air temperature of -0.5°C and an annual precipitation of 600 mm. There are several rare northern and eastern species nesting in the nature reserve, e.g. dotterel (Charadrius morinellus) and red-flanked bluetail (Tarsiger cyanurus).

The station was established in 1967 when the first 50 m2 log cabin was built in the middle of the wilderness. Later on, the station has been extended, and currently it can accommodate c. 20 researchers indoors and more outdoors in tents. There are small but efficient working facilities for indoor research work including e.g. wireless network, workstations, and reference library. The station is connected to the main electricity network but has also a generator for exceptional cases. The station staff on duty every day, year around. The nearest commercial facilities, such as grocery store and healthcare centre, are located 100 km away in the village of Savukoski.

The research focuses on interactions between the subarctic ecosystems and the atmosphere. The core is at the SMEAR I (Station for Measuring Ecosystem Atmosphere Relations) station at the Kotovaara hill (800 m from the station). Since early 1990’s, continuous measurements on tree gas exchange (photosynthesis, transpiration), soil respiration, tree growth, weather, gas, and aerosol concentrations and fluxes, and pollutant transport have been performed. The measurements are online and maintained throughout the year. The data are stored in an open database. In addition, several long (over 40 years) observation series on e.g. snow conditions, nesting birds, and phenology, as well as shorter term campaigns, on e.g. forest fire regimes and tree regeneration, exist in the station data repositories.

The nearest local village is Savukoski, c. 100 km to the southwest. The forests are used intensively for forestry and reindeer husbandry. The nearby Urho Kekkonen National Park and other protected areas as well as fish-rich rivers fascinate large numbers of tourists. Recently, plans have been proposed for opening a large open pit phosphorus mine and a concentration plant in the close vicinity of Värriö Strict Nature Reserve.

The station is accessed by foot (during summer) or by ski (during winter), assistance with snowmobile or a quad bike is available for instruments and larger luggage. The walking distance from the nearest unpaved road to the station is about 7 km. The distance to the nearest airport (Rovaniemi) is c. 300 km, while the nearest railway station (Kemijärvi) is c. 190 km away. From Kemijärvi there are regular bus and post taxi connections on weekdays.

University of Helsinki

Government

Department of Physics, Department of Forest Sciences

Jaana.back@helsinki.fi, tuukka.petaja@helsinki.fi

http://www.atm.helsinki.fi/varrio/eng/?q=node/1

Yes