Nature of Finland - An Illustrative Website by Stephen Mifsud, about the nature of Filand mostly based on plant species found in the central Western coast of Finland known as Ostrobothnia (Ostero Bottnia). This website also features species of funghi, mosses and fauna.

FORESTS: The largest natural habitat in in Finland consists of dense forests of conifer trees (eg: Picea, Pinus, and Larix), and of 'flat-leaved' trees (eg: Betula, Alnus, Sorbus and Salix). Lower plants are adpted to grow in shade and include a number of berries namely species of Rubus, Vaccinium and Erica.

MARSHES, SWAMPS and BOGS: Wet to very damp habitats that are commonly found in Finland. These bear several hydrophytic (water-loving) species adapted to these wet conditions. Various mosses and vascular plant species from the Genus Carex (Sedge family / Cyperaceae) are frequently found.

SANDY SHORES: Frequent along lake or open sea, these shores offers a different habitat adequate for plant communities able to tolerate water and sandy soil with low nutrient content. Here, one can find plants which are not found in other habitats.

ROCKY COASTS and SHORES: These constitute another important natural habitat especially in the Western and Southern area of Finland which is lined by the open sea. Species are adapted to grow in little soil in rock gaps and pockets and tolerate brackish water conditions.

MEADOWS and ROAD DITCHES Surprisingly, this restricted and semi-cosmopolitan habitat offer a rich biodiversity of plants since of the deep fertile soil it offers. Certain fastidious plants adapt themselves well and dominate this habitat, while they do not cope in meager ground like in rocky, sandy or shaded habitats.

THE FUNGHI GALLERY
Photos of Mushrooms.
(164 Images)

THE MOSSES GALLERY
Photos of Mosses and Lichens.
(41 Images)

THE FLORA GALLERY
Photos of Vascular Plants.
(12279 Images)

THE FAUNA GALLERY
Photos of the Animal Kingdom Insects, spiders, reptiles, mammals, birds etc.
(324 Images)