puulajikoostumukseen

Puulajikoostumus, also rendered in English as wood species composition, refers to the relative abundance and arrangement of different tree species within a stand, forest, or broader landscape. In forestry and ecological studies, this metric is essential for assessing biodiversity, ecosystem function, and resource value. The term is commonly used in detailed forest inventories where plot-based sampling records species identity, diameter at breast height, height, and magnetic or visual estimates of basal area. By aggregating these data, forest managers calculate species proportions, turnover rates, and changes over time.

Understanding puulajikoostumus aids in predicting stand productivity because species differ in growth rate, wood density, and resistance to pests or climate stressors. It also informs decisions on selective logging, reforestation, and conservation planning. In Finland, where forestry is a major economic sector, management units routinely publish masivoimakarttoja (forest composition maps) that detail puulajikoostumus for National forests, supporting compliance with both national policies and EU Forest Strategy objectives.

Ecologically, diverse species compositions enhance resilience to disturbances such as fire, insect outbreaks, or extreme weather. They also affect habitat quality for wildlife and carbon sequestration potential, as species vary in canopy structure and phenology. Limiting species variety, by contrast, can lead to homogenous stands that are vulnerable to monoculture disease outbreaks. Thus, puulajikoostumus is a central data point in sustainable forest management, ecological research, and policy development.