%0 Review article
%T Natural forest dynamics in boreal Fennoscandia: a review and classification
%A Kuuluvainen, Timo
%A Aakala, Tuomas
%D 2011
%J Silva Fennica
%V 45
%N 5
%R doi:10.14214/sf.73
%U https://silvafennica.fi/article/73
%X The aim here was to review and summarize the findings of scientific  studies concerning the types of forest dynamics which occur in natural  forests (i.e. forests with negligible human impact) of boreal  Fennoscandia. We conducted a systematic search for relevant studies from  selected reference databases, using search terms describing the  location, structure and processes, and degree of naturalness of the  forest. The studies resulting from these searches were supplemented with  other known works that were not indexed in the databases. This  procedure yielded a total of 43 studies. The studies were grouped into  four types of forest dynamics according to the information presented on  the characteristics of the native disturbance-succession cycle: 1)  even-aged stand dynamics driven by stand-replacing disturbances, 2)  cohort dynamics driven by partial disturbances, 3) patch dynamics driven  by tree mortality at intermediate scales (&gt; 200 m<sup>2</sup>) and 4) gap dynamics driven by tree mortality at fine scales (&lt; 200 m<sup>2</sup>).  All four dynamic types were reported from both spruce and pine  dominated forests, but their commonness differed. Gap dynamics was most  commonly reported in spruce forests, and cohort dynamics in pine  forests. The studies reviewed provide the best obtainable overall  picture of scientific findings concerning the characteristics and  variability of the unmanaged boreal forest dynamics in Fennoscandia. The  results demonstrate that the unmanaged Fennoscandian forests are  characterized by more diverse and complex dynamics than has  traditionally been acknowledged.