Table 1.
Basic information about the three study areas. Annual precipitation and annual mean temperature are the mean values for the nearest meteorological stations (years 1981–2010; interpolated values based on 10 × 10 km grid data; Finnish Meteorological Institute)
| Iijoki | Koutajoki | Tenojoki | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Region's midpoint | 65oN, 27oE | 66oN, 29oE | 70oN, 27oE |
| Number of sites sampled | 20 | 20 | 30 |
| Time of sampling | Late May 2009 | Late May 2008 | Early June 2010 |
| Drainage basin characteristics | Middle boreal coniferous forest and peatlands | Northern boreal coniferous forests; mixed-deciduous; riparian woodlands; nutrient-poor bogs; fertile fens | Arctic-alpine vegetation; mountain birch woodlands at low altitudes; barren fell tundra at higher altitudes |
| Annual precipitation | 721 mm | 619 mm | 550 mm |
| Annual mean temperature | 0.5°C | −0.5°C | −1.8°C |
| Area of drainage basin | 14,200 km2 | 24,500 km2 | 16,400 km2 |
| Area of study region | 2150 km2 | 150 km2 | 5370 km2 |