Digital depth-to-water maps can be produced from a digital elevation model (DEM). Then GIS- based algorithms are used to calculate water flows and the depth-to-water index classes dry, fresh, moist and wet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility to use depth- to-water maps for site adapted planting. The results showed that use of depth-to-water maps for site adapted planting, roughly halved the proportion of improperly planted surfaces from an average of 9 % to 4 %. The variation in the values of proper surface decreased and the result became more even.. In addition, more pine than spruce was incorrectly planted. Without soil moisture maps, the proportion of improper pine and spruce was 66 % and 34 % respectively, and with soil moisture maps, the proportion of improper pine and spruce was 55 % and 45 % respectively. This shows that for regenerations planted without the depth-to-water maps, mostly pine was incorrectly planted, but for the regenerations planted with the depth-to-water maps, the proportions were similar for spruce and pine. The conclusion from the results indicated that depth-to-water-maps can improve site adapted planting. By using the maps it is possible to get a good overview of the conditions and terrain variations of the planting sites.

The aim of this study was to investigate if SI from HPR-data from harvesters and soil moisture classes from digital depth to water maps could be used to support site adaption of regenerations within stands. The study was made on pine and spruce stands in central Sweden. The number of plants/ha, plant height, growth and damage were measured at plot level and for these plots also soil moisture classes and SI were derived from digital maps and HPR. The study shows a potential using SI from HPR and depth to water maps for site adaption of regenerations and to vary tree species within stands. Variations of SI and soil moisture are important within stands regarding different tree species establishment, growth and damage. But also, for sites with medium SI were the choice between pine and spruce is not obvious and in stands with a high spread in SI.