An ecological study of upland forest site classification in southern Finland.

Abstract

The vegetation and some physical and chemical soil properties were studied in 410 sample plots in a random sample of stands by two-way indicator species analysis, discriminant analysis and analysis of variance. Understorey vegetation was dependent on site fertility and on the tree stand (especially species composition). Although the forest vegetation was distributed in a rather continuous way along a soil fertility gradient, relatively unambiguous site classification was possible based on the appearance of indicator species and species groups.