ABSTRACT
Boreal forests in northern Europe, including Finland, are widely used to produce timber for woodbased products and energy. The territory of Finland extends from the upper edge of the hemi-boreal vegetation zone (N 60º) through the boreal zone to the tundra in the northern part of the country (N 70º). The climate is characterized by clear south-north gradients in temperature and precipitation across the country. In the southernmost areas, the mean annual temperature is from +4 to +5ºC and the mean annual precipitation 600-700 mm, whereas in the northernmost areas the mean annual temperature is from –1 to –2ºC and the mean annual precipitation 400-500 mm (Fig. 3.1). The westeast gradient in climate is not as pronounced but in the western part of country precipitation remains lower than in the eastern part. The Atlantic Ocean has a strong effect on the annual and seasonal variability of climate and weather in northern Europe.
