havumetsää

Havumetsä is the Finnish term for coniferous forest, a dominant forest type in boreal ecosystems. In Finland it refers to stands where evergreen conifers, mainly Norway spruce (Picea abies) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), prevail in the canopy. The term distinguishes these forests from lehtimetsä (deciduous or broadleaf forests) and sekametsä (mixed stands).

The structure of havumetsä typically features a closed or near-closed canopy of conifers, with a ground layer rich in mosses, lichens, and acidic, nutrient-poor soils. Common soil types include podzols and humus layers that contribute to soil acidity. The growing season is short and temperatures are low, leading to slow but steady biomass accumulation and adaptations such as evergreen needles that retain photosynthetic capacity year-round.

Ecologically, havumetsä provides habitat for wildlife such as moose, red fox, lynx, boreal birds, and various insect communities. Natural disturbances like windthrows, fires, and pest outbreaks play a significant role in shaping stand structure and regeneration. Fire historically aided pine regeneration, while spruce-dominated stands often regrow through new-age recruitment after disturbances or through thinning.

Humans use havumetsä primarily for timber production. Silvicultural practices include thinning, selective harvesting, and rotation-based management, with replanting or natural regeneration to maintain stands. Management aims to balance wood production with biodiversity, soil health, and climate resilience, while monitoring risks from pests, disease, and climate change, which can alter species composition and disturbance regimes.

In Finland’s forest typology, havumetsä denotes conifer-dominated forest types, contrasted with lehtimetsä and sekametsä.