New decaying wood artwork on the Otaniemi campus
The piece enhances, among other things, the versatility of campus nature
Campus forests as enablers of biodiversity and natural cycle
The diversity of Otaniemi's forests provides favourable habitats for different species. Decaying wood plays an important role in the natural cycle. Decayed wood is found in almost all forests on campus. We aim to foster and embrace that nutrient cycle also in the future forest maintenance work.
The Otaniemi campus forests have a diverse age and species distribution. This diversity provides a good habitat for tree-using species such as mosses, lichens, polypores and fungi. Polypores also help to identify the conservation and natural values of forests, and indicate when a forest has reached the age of old growth. In addition, some polypore species can be used as indicators of valuable natural habitats.
Polypores and fungi exploit decaying wood and prepare decaying woody material to return to the natural cycle as nutrients for future species. Decaying wood is important to nature's function, and decaying trees also serve as nesting sites for insects. Decaying woody debris is being left throughout the campus forests, as it can also help to control forest pest populations.
Forests will be regenerated with decaying trees by always leaving the decaying trunks on the ground and landscaping them. In the landscaping work we leave logs on the ground and as standing stumps. In the Dipoli area, for example, there is an abundance of groundwood, as all trees that have fallen or been felled for silvicultural reasons have been left on the landscape.
Ossinlampi microforestry pilot
Felled birch trees have been left near the Ossinlampi pond to decay and provide nutrients for the newly planted Betula Humilis (euroopanpensaskoivu). The microforestry experiment with birches will examine whether it could be suitable for other parts of the campus because of its moderate growth habit. The birch varieties are also a visually stunning addition to the old forest campus.
The interrelationships between species are important for the functioning of nature. Each species fills its own ecological niche, and in the absence of a species in an ecological niche, it will be filled by another species. An example of species correlation, in the case of the scarab beetle (Ips typographus), whose natural enemies are some beetles, parasitoids or predatory insects. One possible way to control the scarab beetle population in Otaniemi, is to look after the nesting sites and habitats of its natural enemies.
Calm down and observe
A healthy and functional habitat needs all elements to provide diverse and natural habitats for plants and animals. Old-growth forests already have a diverse decay structure, and decaying woody material contains a huge amount of life.
Observing biodiversity can require settling down by the trees and a keen eye. The ability to observe soil, stump holes, rock cavities and sand traps in mineral soils helps to spot vibrant biota.
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Vibrant and refreshing campus forests - autumn forestry maintenance begin
Forestry work will be carried out in autumn 2024, including the trimming of old trees and branches.