Kasvillisuuden

Kasvillisuus is the term used in Finnish ecology to describe all the plants in a given area, including trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, mosses, and aquatic vegetation. It encompasses the living plant cover as well as its structural and functional characteristics, and is closely linked to but distinct from soil, fauna, and micro-organisms. Kasvillisuus is studied to understand how plant communities are formed, how they change over time, and how they influence ecosystem processes.

Key features of kasvillisuus include species composition (which species are present), their relative abundances, biomass, and vertical structure (layering and canopy height). Ground cover, growth forms, phenology, and productivity are also important. Vegetation changes through succession and disturbances such as fire, grazing, climate variation, or human land use.

Determinants of kasvillisuus are climate, soil properties (pH, nutrients, texture), moisture and hydrology, topography, and disturbance regimes. The regional climate and soil conditions shape typical vegetation types, from forests and grasslands to wetlands and tundra-like assemblages. Classification and assessment rely on field surveys (quadrats, transects) and remote sensing, often using phytosociology or habitat and vegetation-type frameworks.

Applications and management: Knowledge of kasvillisuus informs biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services (habitat provision, carbon storage, water regulation), and land-use planning. Management goals may include restoration of degraded vegetation, control of invasive species, grazing management, and maintaining natural disturbance regimes to preserve ecological integrity. In practice, kasvillisuuden monitoring supports sustainable use of landscapes and resilience to environmental change.