01 Suolijärvi nature trail information board

The forest – a factory of carbon and oxygen

Perhaps the most vital part of a forest are its plants. 
Indeed, plants make up more than 90% of all living things on Earth. 
Plants absorb the sun's rays into their bodies and produce oxygen via photosynthesis – in this manner, vegetation forms the foundations on which the rest of life in all its diversity is built. 

Speaking nature

Over time, plants have adapted to various environments – it’s important to protect nature so that plants that have adapted to different conditions of light, heat, moisture, and soil nutrients can flourish and play their important role in the web of life. By learning about different species and their preferences, you can learn to read your environment. 

How do the species in the area vary from one part of the route to another, and what do they tell you about the area's environment?

The diverse nature of the forest

Woven forests are the most common forest type in Finland. The species that thrive in these forests, such as spruce and conifers, are adapted to the typical characteristics of Finnish soils – such as nutrient depletion, drought, acidity and cold climate. 

Depending on the characteristics of the soil and their adapted plant species, woven forests are further subdivided into different subtypes, such as dry, fresh and deciduous forests.

Fresh and deciduous foliage is found in the nutrient-rich and moist montane forests. In addition to conifers, many deciduous trees also thrive in them. You will also find many species of fresh and deciduous forest on the Suolijärvi nature trail.

Can you spot these fresh and deciduous species around you?

Did you know? 

The European spruce bark beetle, which thrives in spruce trees, has become widespread and has caused a lot of damage to many spruce trees in the Tampere area.

Can you find signs of a The European spruce bark beetle  in the area?