Differences in the forest landscape structure along the Finnish–Russian border in southern Karelia

Abstract

This study describes forest landscape fragmentation and connectivity along the Finnish–Russian border near the Karelian Isthmus. The landscape pattern was analysed using classification data based on Landsat ETM+ and Landsat TM images in combination with systematic surveys in Finland (Finnish National Forest Inventory) (n=546) and the authors’ own fieldwork data in Russia (n=101). On the Finnish side the forest patches are significantly smaller than on the Russian side. In addition, the Finnish forests landscape is more scattered and distances between patches of the same forest type are longer. The Russian side is more dominated by broadleaved and mixed forest stands. The disparities are due to differences in forestry policy and traditions of forest practices. The growing conditions of the areas are similar. The habitat fragmentation and habitat connectivity are important issues because the Karelian Isthmus is one of three main corridors and migrating routes connecting large Russian boreal taiga forests and their fauna and flora with Finnish isolated boreal forests.

Keywords:

• Boreal forest
• Finland
• forest landscape
• habitat fragmentation
• Landsat
• Russia

Acknowledgements

This research was conducted as a part of the research project “Testing the boomerang hypothesis: the effects of wood harvests in northwest Russia on species abundance in Finland”. The project was financed by the Academy of Finland. We thank all the people who helped in the fieldwork and gave constructive comments for the study in different phases. We are also grateful to the Finnish Forest Research Institute for providing data on the 9th Finnish National Forest Inventory.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Petteri Muukkonen

Present address: Finnish Forest Research Institute, PO Box 18, FI-01301 Vantaa, Finland