Researchers will identify lichen species on pine trunks and collect small samples of moss and soil for laboratory analysis. The work is minimally invasive and does not harm the forest environment.
Bioindicators offer valuable insights beyond what traditional air quality measurements can show, helping to map the spread and impact of pollutants. The study covers around 300 plots regionally.
Fieldwork begins in Lahti in June: the urban area will be surveyed in week 24 and the Nastola area in week 25. A total of 31 study plots in Lahti will be examined.
The research is coordinated by the Häme ELY Centre and conducted by Eurofins Ahma Oy across the Kanta-Häme and Päijät-Häme regions. The final report will be published in the summer of 2026.