sekametsistä

Sekametsä, also known as mixed forest, is a type of forest characterized by the presence of both coniferous and deciduous tree species. Unlike pure stands where one type of tree dominates, sekametsät feature a mix, creating a diverse canopy structure. The exact composition and density of tree species in a sekametsä can vary greatly depending on geographical location, climate, soil conditions, and historical factors such as logging or natural disturbances.

These mixed forests are ecologically significant. They typically support a wider range of biodiversity compared to monocultures, offering varied habitats and food sources for a greater number of animal and plant species. The different leaf structures and shedding patterns of deciduous and coniferous trees contribute to nutrient cycling in the soil and can influence light penetration to the forest floor.

Sekametsät are found across many temperate and boreal regions of the world. In Finland, for example, they are a common forest type, often transitioning between areas dominated by pine or spruce and those with birch or aspen. Management practices in forestry may aim to maintain or create sekametsä structures for ecological benefits or to enhance timber production by utilizing the growth characteristics of different species. The term is a direct translation of "mixed forest" in Finnish, highlighting the composition of the woodland.