P. Kokkonen

Observations on the relationship between groundwater level and forest growth on a ditched peatland

Kokkonen P. (1929). Observations on the relationship between groundwater level and forest growth on a ditched peatland. Acta Forestalia Fennica vol. 34 no. 29 article id 7242. https://doi.org/10.14214/aff.7242

Abstract

The article presents the observations made on peatland “Savonneva” in summer 1929 in commune Pulkkila, north-west Finland. The study concentrates on the relationship between groundwater level and growth of trees. The areas was first ditched in 1894, when a main ditch and a side ditch were dug. The ditches were repaired several times, last time a year before the study took place.    

Parts of the area has been taken for agricultural purposes, and other areas have been naturally afforested. The size and abundance of trees varies strongly because the drainage of the area has been uneven. Closer to the main ditch the forest grows better than further away. There is a clear line between the afforested and open areas.

It seems that the tree growth decreases faster with certain groundwater levels than if the groundwater level is deeper.  

The volume 34 of Acta Forestalia Fennica is a jubileum publication of professor Aimo Kaarlo Cajander.

Keywords
peatland; drainage; ground water

Published in 1929

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Available at https://doi.org/10.14214/aff.7242 | Download PDF