Lakkasuo is an eccentric raised mire complex (130 ha) with exceptionally large diversity in ecohydrology, peatland site types, and vegetation. Lakkasuo has three water level manipulations: 1. Forestry drainage started in 1960’s, 2. Water level drawdown simulating climate change impact established in 2000. 3. Factorial experiment of water level drawdown and warming with open top chambers, established in 2008.
Siikaneva is a large pristine peatland complex (1560 ha) situated circa 7 km from Lakkasuo. The two intensive study sites in Siikaneva represent an open fen (Siikaneva 1, established 2004) and an open bog (Siikaneva 2, established 2011) enabling comparison of the main boreal peatland types. Small scale experiments within the sites include vegetation removal.
Both in Lakkasuo and Siikaneva biodiversity, biogeochemical cycles and vegetation–soil–atmosphere interactions are studied both experimentally and with long-term observations. Siikaneva 1 has also ongoing ecosystem-level measurements of greenhouse gases and meteorology and belongs to ICOS. The long-term observations provide wide background data on meteorology, water level, greenhouse gases, plant traits, and peat properties. On agreement measurement equipment such as portable CO2 and CH4-analysers are available.
