Where do we work?

FINLAND, LIEKSA: For centuries forests in Eastern Finland burned at a high frequency. During the 20th
coveredcentury, fire control and forest management have reduced the fire frequency and nowadays 8% of the endangered species in Finland depend on fires. In the project, we compare burned forests, old-growth forests and forests which originate from clear-cuts (without fires). The work includes old non-stand replacing fires (up to 40 yrs ago) and unburnt forests. A network of permanent sample plots covers the sites.

ESTONIA TARTO - The Estonian sites represent the hemiboreal zone. A key conservation challenge is the
disappearance of old-growth forests. It is not clear how the soil microbiome differs in old-growth forests
and old production forests. We will sample pairs of undisturbed old-growth and managed old forests
across 40 000 km2 (5-200 m asl) across Estonia. Both pine, spruce and hardwood-dominated stands are
included.

FRACE BELLEDONN, Alps: The elevation gradient ranges from 1100 m to the treeline at 2100 m (partially in a Natura 2000 site). The area consists of mixed forests that are replaced by coniferous forests at thehigher altitudes. The forest provides ecosystem services as protection against substrate mass movement.
However, severe soil degradation occurs from winter and summer sports tourist activities. Data on stem
and root growth, vegetation, plant functional traits, soil physical and chemical properties, soil microbial and faunal taxonomic and functional diversity and >20 ecosystem services exist for the area.

SERBIA, FRUSKA GORA NATIONAL PARK, located in northern Serbia within the Vojvodina region, is one of the country's most cherished natural and cultural treasures. It was declared the first national park in Serbia in 1960, primarily to protect its rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. In the area we compare disturbed (wind) and undisturbed sites.

ITALY, PARMA PROVINCE, NATIONAL PARK “PARCO NAZIONALE DELL’APPENNINO TOSCO-
EMILIANO” APENNINES The sites extend from 600m to 1800m altitude. The park was established in
1995. Main forest species are beeches, chestnuts and mixed stands with conifers. The sites have a long
history of management, being important for food and local livelyhoods. We will evaluate the effects of
traditional management for wood and mushroom production on the microbiome. Indication of Geographical Production is relevant for some of products including Boletus. The project will collaborate with the multistakeholder Consortium called “Comunalie Parmensi”.

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SPAIN, NATURAL PROTECTED AREA OF POBLE The sites cover an altitudinal range of 200-1200 m
and a Mediterranean climate. We will monitor the fungal diversity in Pinus pinaster permanent plots
(around 60 yr old) aiming to relate it to ecosystem services that the fungi are providing. We will compare forest thinning plots (with different forest thinning intensities) with unthinned plots.

BRAZIL, SANTA CATARINA, SERRA CATARINENSE: The area harbours different vegetation types,
including Araucaria and Cloud Forests, which present high biological diversity and endemisms. However, it is threatened by fire, logging, grazing, and alien species. We aim to understand the impact of those by comparing preserved and managed forests, especially in the National Park of São Joaquim.