Net ecosystem CO2 exchange was measured over a mountain birch forest in northern Finland throughout the growing season. The maximal net CO2 uptake rate of about − 0.5 mg(CO2) m−2 s−1 was observed at the end of July. The highest nocturnal respiration rates in early August were 0.2 mg(CO2) m−2 s−1. The daily CO2 balances during the time of maximal photosynthesis were about −15 g(CO2) m−2 d−1. The mountain birch forest acted as a net sink of CO2 from 30 June to 28 August. During that period the net CO2 balance was −448 g(CO2)m−2. The interannual representativeness of the observed balances was studied using a simplified daily balance model, with daily mean global radiation and air temperature as the input parameters. The year-to-year variation in the phenological development was parameterised as a function of the cumulative effective temperature sum. The daily balance model was used for estimating the variability in the seasonal CO2 balances due to the timing of spring and meteorological factors. The sink term of CO2 in 1996 was lower than the 15-year mean, mainly due to the relatively late emergence of the leaves.