Comparison of Finnish and Russian approaches for large-scale vegetation mapping: a case study at Härkösuo Mire, eastern Finland

• Main Authors: O. Galanina, R. Heikkilä
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: International Mire Conservation Group and International Peatland Society 2007
• Subjects: aapamire; Fennoscandia; mire site type; vegetation classification; Ecology; QH540-549.5
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/43c11125469c49f9af4b60da276f6a58

The purpose of this study was to compare Russian and Finnish mire vegetation classifications and large-scale vegetation mapping methods. Härkösuo Mire in Kuhmo, eastern Finland covers about 20 hectares and includes a small area of aapamire, together with spring fen and pine bog types. Two vegetation maps of this site were prepared from aerial photographs and field observations by different observers using the Russian and Finnish approaches independently, and the maps were compared quantitatively using GIS techniques. Despite the different vegetation classification methods, the maps have a great deal in common. The correspondence of results obtained using the Russian ‘dominant’ approach and the Finnish ‘site type’ approach is discussed. The main differences occurred in the marginal zones of the mire. In the Finnish approach, marginal areas with dense spruce cover are regarded as mire whilst in the Russian approach they are classified as forest.