The purpose of this study is to study the processes, both active and inactive, which influence the formation, structure and distribution of subalpine heaths in the Abisko Valley and to compare their ecotope with the adjacent birch forest.
Studies of the ground temperatures and hydrological conditions at four sites on a subalpine heath and in the birch forest in the subarctic valley in Abisko from 1984-87 show that a clear relationship exists between ground temperature and climatic