| Kolari Research Unit |
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 Contact Details MetlaKolari Research Unit Muoniontie 21A FIN-95900 KOLARI Ph. +358 10 2111 Fax.+358 10 211 3501 Location The Kolari Research Unit is located at the western border between Finland and Sweden close to the Muoniojoki river (67°12' N, 21°50' E) approximately 100 km north of the Arctic Circle. Climate Mean temperature in January: - 15 °C Biodiversity Wide range of ecosystems from open bogs to coniferous dominated forests and fjeld mountain areas. Human Dimension Reindeer husbandry, fishing, gathering and nature based tourism are major forest use patterns. Species Performance The fauna and flora consist of species typical for boreal forests. General Research The Kolari Research Unit focuses on northern timberline forests, especially on the effects of climate change on forests in the northernmost part of the country. Research is also being carried out on nature-based tourism. It is also specialised in the research of forest biodiversity, disturbance dynamics and the multiple-use of landscapes in Lapland. The northern field experiments of Metla's forest genetic research are managed from the Kolari Research Unit. Currently the unit studies the multiple use, nature-based tourism and biodiversity issues in Pallas-Yllästunturi national park and its surrounding areas. History and Facilities Metla founded the Kolari Research Unit in 1964. Metla has a total of nine research units throughout Finland, and the Kolari Research Unit is the northernmost research station in the Metla organisation. In Kolari Research Unit the accommodation is available in 10 rooms with beds. The unit has laboratory with general equipments. There is also an access to laboratory for making dendrochronology. The unit has a small library with a limited number of forest science journals. All the computers are networked and an access to email and Internet is provided. Telephone, fax and copy machine are also provided. At the unit there is a cafeteria where breakfast, lunch and coffee are served daily in low price. Transportation Car, bus and train reach the Kolari Research Unit. Within one-hour car journey there is Kittilä airport available. |