IN0809

Hyytiälä Forest Research Station (SMEAR II)

Sub-Arctic

Open

Station

Finland

Station

1995

Year-Round

The Hyytiälä Forest Research Station is managed by University of Helsinki, Department of Forest Sciences and the SMEAR II station (Station for Measuring Ecosystem Atmosphere Relations) by Department of Physics.

The area is a boreal mixed-coniferous forest with several small lakes and wetlands. The overall altitude is about 180 m a.s.l. Most forests in the vicinity are state owned and managed with normal forestry practices in cooperation with the station. Several protected mire ecosystems are located in Siikaneva, 10 km southwest of the station. Nearest population centre and industry, is located in Juupajoki, 10 km away. The nearest larger city, Tampere (c. 200000 inhabitants), is located about 60 km from the research station.

The station is located in a rather homogenous Scots pine stand on a flat terrain, 220 km northwest of Helsinki. The managed stand was established in 1962 by sowing, after the area had first been treated with prescribed burning and light soil preparation. The annual long term average temperature in the area is 2.9 °C, January is the coldest month (-8.9 °C) and July the warmest (15.3 °C). The annual precipitation during 1959-2006 averaged 697 mm. Sightings of moose are frequent, but also wolves and bears have recently been encountered in the region.

The research station was established in 1910 as a practice area for forestry students. In 1995, the SMEAR II station (situated at the Hyytiälä Forest Research Station) started continuous measurements of ecosystem-atmosphere interactions. In summer, the station can accommodate 175 persons, and in winter, c. 100 persons. The basic facilities include laboratory space and equipment, computers, wireless network, different means of transport, and a library with publications focused on forest sciences. The station has staff on duty every day year around, and the kitchen serves daily meals to both visitors and staff. The nearest grocery store and health centre are located in Juupajoki village, c. 10 km away.

Multi-disciplinary research on forests, peat lands and atmosphere is the core of research at SMEAR II. A central topic is the role of forests and peat lands in relation to Climate Change. Additionally, close to 250 long-term experimental sites representing different tree species compositions, developmental classes, site conditions, and management histories are located nearby. The SMEAR-station participates in many research networks and infrastructures, including the European Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS), the European Long-Term Ecosystem Research Network (LTER) and EXPEER/AnaEE on experimental ecosystem research. All data are stored in an open, searchable database.

The surroundings are sparsely populated forest and agricultural regions. The nearest local village is Juupajoki, about 10 km away, with c. 2000 inhabitants. The forests in the nearest region are in intensive forestry use. Juupajoki also has some medium-sized industry including two sawmills.

The station can be accessed via a small paved road. The closest towns are Juupajoki (10 km), Orivesi (22 km), and Ruovesi (25 km). Coaches travelling along the national highway, Route 66, have a stop at the turn-off to Hyytiälä (Hyytiälä th), 1.5 km from the research station. There are daily coach connections to Hyytiälä directly from both Helsinki and Tampere. The nearest airport is in Tampere, about an hour’s drive from the station. The closest railway stations are in Juupajoki (10 km) and Orivesi (25 km).

University of Helsinki

Government

Department of Physics, Department of Forest Sciences

janne.levula@helsinki.fi

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