Test Sites
HoliSoils harmonises and maps soil data from multiple sources. These harmonised products are indispensable for Europe-wide GHG inventories and for the project’s experimental and modelling work in Europe’s main bioclimatic regions and soil types.
Field experiments at HoliSoils test sites investigate the effects of soil and forest management (including thinning regimes, tree species composition, fertilisation, rewetting) and natural disturbances (forest fires, windthrow, droughts) on soil processes, resilience and climate change mitigation potential. Measurements of soil physico-chemical properties and biodiversity are complemented by monitoring soil processes such as GHG fluxes and nutrient cycling.
North Europe
Finland – Karstula
Established
1959
Organization
Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
Contact
Location
62°54’43.343″N; 24°34’16.021″E
Central Finland region
Soil type
Fine sand Organic layer of 4.3 m
Dominant species
Pinus sylvestris
Ground vegetation
Vaccinium vitis-idae, Calluna vulgaris and Lichens
Aim of the study
Understand the impact of nitrogen fertilization on soil functioning, soil biome and GHGs exchange.
Finland – Ränskälänkorpi
Established
2021
Organization
Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
Contact
Location
61°10.966’N; 25°15.985’E
Southern Finland
Soil type
Peat soil
Dominant species
Picea abies, Betula pubescens, Pinus sylvestris
Ground vegetation
Bilberry and Sphagnum
Aim of the study
Estimate the role of continuous cover forestry (CCF) and clear-felling management practice on mitigating climate change and reducing environmental impacts.
Lithuania – Kačerginė
Established
First Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stand generation planted in 1964.
Wood ash and nitrogen fertilization experiment established in 2002.
Organization
Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy & Lithuanian Research Centre For agriculture and forestry Institute of Forestry
Contact
Jūratė Aleinikovienė
Kęstutis Armolaitis Povilas Žemaitis
Location
23°42’13.2″E, 54°54’24.2″N Kačerginė, Central Lithuania (Lithuania)
Soil type
Haplic Arenosol
Dominant species
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)
Ground vegetation
Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt., Dicranum polysetum Sw., Dicranum scoparium Hedw., Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) Schimp., Festuca ovina L. and Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull.
Aim of the study
Understand the nitrogen fertilization impact on the soil nutrient budget, stand productivity (C dynamics aboveground), soil carbon cycling and soil biological activity.
Lithuania – Druskininkai
Established
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) experimental plantation established in 1983. Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. strain testing in Scots pine trees done in 2018.
Organization
Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy & Lithuanian Research Centre For agriculture and forestry Institute of Forestry
Contact
Virgilijus Baliuckas
Aušra Juškauskaitė Jūratė Aleinikovienė
Location
23°39′56.22”E; 53°59′33.69”N Druskininkai, southern Lithuania (Lithuania)
Soil type
Haplic Arenosol
Dominant species
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)
Ground vegetation
Dicranum polysetum Sw., Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) Schimp., Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt., Vaccinium myrtillus L., Vaccinium vitis-idaea L., Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull., Festuca ovina L., Melampyrum pretense L.
Aim of the study
Understand the nitrogen fertilization impact on the soil nutrient budget, stand productivity (C dynamics aboveground), soil carbon cycling, soil biological activity, expansion or reduction of root rot (Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref.) pathogens.
