Finnish forests, which are used for a variety of purposes, are important in many respects. They provide employment, livelihood and, thanks to a diverse everyman’s right (public right of access), recreational opportunities. Additionally, nature management in commercial forests makes a significant contribution to preserving the biodiversity of our forest environment.
Proportionally more timber is harvested in Finnish forests than anywhere else in Europe. In spite of this, Finland’s forest reserves are growing. Their annual natural increment exceeds felling volumes each year. The Finnish Forest Act also stipulates that a new forest must be planted to replace what was felled.
Reconciliation of the ecological, economic and social values of forests is a challenging task and the forest industry aims to improve its activities constantly in all of these respects. From time to time, lively discourse on the utilisation of Finnish forests stirs up, attracting the input of many Finns.
In addition to the Forest Act, forest use is steered by the National Forest Programme. A large number of forest sector actors and NGOs have participated in its drafting.
A model country in forest protection
Protected forests are divided into two sub-categories in Finland: Strictly protected forests and protected forests where cautious fellings are possible. Additionally, the use of some forests is restricted.
No forestry may be practiced in forests under strict protection. Cautious felling operations may be allowed in protected forests, for example in key biotopes defined in the Forest Act and the Nature Conservation Act. Felling may not be carried out in forests that are under restricted use if it conflicts with biodiversity values, recreational use or scenic values.
The area of forests under strict protection in Finland is the largest in Europe, over 2 million hectares. This is equal to more than half of Belgium’s land area.
Nature management in commercial forests is important
Almost 90 per cent of the forests in Finland are in commercial use. Their management is crucial to safeguarding the biodiversity of the forest environment.