maanparannus

Maanparannus, literally "land improvement" in Finnish, refers to measures aimed at improving soil quality and the usability of land. The term covers agricultural soils, peatlands, and, in some contexts, degraded urban or industrial land that requires rehabilitation.

The purpose is to enhance physical properties such as soil structure and drainage, chemical properties such as pH and nutrient availability, and biological properties such as soil organic matter and microbial activity. The overarching goal is to increase productivity, resilience to drought and flooding, and long-term sustainability of land use.

Common methods include improving drainage to prevent waterlogging and to aerate the soil; liming to correct acidity; gypsum application to counteract sodicity or excessive soluble salts; and adding organic matter through compost, manure, cover crops, and green manures. Nutrient management, including balanced fertilization and micronutrient supplementation, is often part of maanparannus. Techniques to improve soil structure may include controlled tillage, subsoiling, and raised beds or ridging. Erosion control and soil conservation, such as contour farming, contour ridges, and vegetation cover, are also typical components.

In peatland areas, drainage has historically been used to enable agriculture but is increasingly scrutinized for climate impacts; restoration or rewetting may follow drainage when sustainability is prioritized. In forestry, mining reclamation, or urban planning, maanparannus may involve land grading, stabilization, and targeted amendments to support vegetation establishment and infrastructure safety.

Assessment is based on soil tests measuring pH, organic matter, texture, nutrient status, and drainage properties, along with monitoring of crop yields or vegetation performance. The concept is widely used in Finnish land management policy and agricultural research to describe long-term investments in soil health and land productivity.