Ruovikot

Ruovikot are wetlands dominated by tall, herbaceous plants adapted to saturated soils. The most characteristic species is common reed (Phragmites australis), but stands may also include bulrush (Typha spp.), sedges (Carex spp.), and other grasses. They form in shallow water or permanently moist soils along lake and river shores, marshes, and coastal zones where water depth allows rooted plants to establish.

The vegetation creates dense vertical structure, with canes reaching up to several meters. Their extensive rhizome networks stabilize soils, trap sediments, and slow water flow. Ruovikot provide habitat for breeding and resting water birds, waders, and a variety of invertebrates, and they contribute to biodiversity by offering a range of microhabitats. They also play a role in nutrient retention and shoreline protection.

Ruovikot are dynamic ecosystems influenced by hydrology and nutrient inputs. Changes in water levels, drainage, and nutrient enrichment can alter their extent and species composition, sometimes promoting different vegetation types or leading to fragmentation. In restoration and conservation contexts, maintaining or re-establishing appropriate hydrological conditions is common, often combined with periodic cutting or grazing to prevent overgrowth and maintain open reed beds.

In northern Europe, including Finland, ruovikot are a recognizable component of wetland landscapes and are valued for biodiversity, water purification, and shoreline stabilization. They are frequently considered in wetland management plans and habitat restoration projects as indicators of habitat quality and ecological health.