Scandinavian coastal conifer forests

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This forest is one of the last remaining conifer rainforests in Europe (No: Kystgranskog).

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[edit] Location

Namdalen forest, Bangsund in Namsos.
Namdalen forest, Bangsund in Namsos.

Much of the original forests have been destroyed, but a total of 250 forested areas, most of them not very large, are classified as boreal rainforest. They are located from 63°20'N in Snillfjord in Sør-Trøndelag county and north along the Trøndelag coast to 66°N in Rana in Nordland county, but restricted to areas with high humidity; often shielded from the sun most of the day. Some inland locations are included; these are located in moist locations, often near waterfalls ([1]). This coastal forest is mostly found at the lower elevations (below 200 m). The southern limit of the Norway Spruce growing habitat is limited by mountains and fjords blocking the way, thus in coastal areas further south (Vestlandet) is a temperate deciduouos forest, mixed with pine in some areas. Further inland the climate is less humid and the forests lack the characteristics of a boreal rainforest.

Sometimes a much wider definition of this terrestrial ecoregion is used; this would include a much larger area; in essence areas along the Norwegian coast where precipitation is high (unlike the taiga) and where winters are fairly mild. This will include areas dominated by deciduous forests and even areas completely lacking naturally occurring conifer forests (as in Lofoten). This might be seen as a developmental stage in the forest as the spruce forests in Norway have been blocked by fjords and mountain ranges to the southwest and northwest (Saltfjell) and therefore still have not reached its maximum climatically possible extent following the end of the ice age.

[edit] Humid oceanic climate

Winter rain: Exceptionally heavy rain in late January and early February 2006 caused local flooding in some areas of Fosen.
Winter rain: Exceptionally heavy rain in late January and early February 2006 caused local flooding in some areas of Fosen.

This area has a growing season of 150 - 190 days, with plentiful and reliable precipitation all year. 1200 mm/year is the minimum precipitation for this forest, more common is 1600 mm, and some locations receives 2100 mm; there is at least 200 days/year with 0.1 mm or more precipitation (see data for Leka at met.no). Summers are mild, but not hot. Winters are much milder than one would expect at this high latitude; average temperatures in January typically varies from −4 to 1°C ([2]). This type of climate corresponds to the Köppen type Cfb and Cfc, and is very much like the climate along the coast of the Alaska Panhandle.

[edit] Species

The Scandinavian coastal conifer forests is made up mostly of Norway Spruce (Picea abies) and, to a somewhat lesser extent, Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris). Common Juniper (Juniperus communis) is also common. There is a rich understory of mosses and ferns. However, the most remarkable feature is the diversity of lichens, some of which are endemic for this forest, or have their only location in Europe here (they are often found on the west coast of North America). Approximately 15 of the most rare or typical species of lichens have been named Trøndelagselementet (named after the Trøndelag region). Pseudocyphella crocata, Pannaria ahlneri and Erioderma padicellatum are three of the most well known species of lichens.

There are two subtypes of this forest; the Namdalen type and the Brønnøy/Fosen type. There are also broadleaf trees scattered in this forest, especially in the Brønnøy/Fosen type. Broadleaf trees include birch (Silver Birch Betula pendula and Downy Birch Betula pubescens), European Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), Aspen (Populus tremula), Goat Willow (Salix caprea), and Grey Alder (Alnus incana). Rarer species are Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra), Common Hazel (Corylus avellana) and Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa) (the latter only in the southern part of the area).

[edit] See also

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