A new book aims to show gaps in the knowledge about other ways of managing forests than the current one. Instead of clear-cutting and planting a new forest, as is common in the Nordic region, the book displays the possibility of taking timber out of the forest without clear-cutting, shows the advantages but also what knowledge is lacking about the method.
– In the Nordic countries, it’s quite natural that we share the similar research questions concerning forest management. And because of the methods used in practical forestry, forest research has also concentrated on even-aged forest management, leaving other forest management models to a large extent unexplored, says Johanna Routa, research manager and principal scientist at the Finnish research institute LUKE, and also the coordinator of the network of researchers across the Nordic region, that has worked on the book together.
The primary aim of the network was to compile a summary of the current knowledge and identifying knowledge gaps related to Continuous Cover Forestry, CCF, as the method in focus is called. Recently the interest for CCF has increased among both public and private forest owners in the Nordic countries. The management method is more common in other parts of Europe and thus also the EU commission has been proposed to make CCF as the main method in forest management in Europe. Uneven-aged management has been presented as a promising management method for fulfilling different management goals.
– It has been suggested that uneven-aged management in suitable locations could protect biodiversity, provide better landscapes, promote carbon sequestration, and also improve profitability of forestry.
Why do we need a new way of manage our forests?
– Ongoing environmental and socioeconomic changes are challenging and require understanding and measures to manage forest resources for maintaining their sustainability, vitality, resiliency, and ability to provide a wide range of ecosystem services. A wide range of forest management approaches and methods is likely needed to meet these contrasting goals, says Johanna Routa.
The book is for forest owners, researchers, policy makers, forest practitioners, and entrepreneurs. And it has been appreciated – less than two months after publication, the book had been accessed 29,000 times!
Download the book “Continuous Cover Forestry in Boreal Nordic Countries”
Continuous cover forestry (CCF)
The term refers to forest management methods that exclude clearcutting to preserve forest-like conditions and promote natural regeneration. CCF is not likely to solve all problems currently attributed to rotation forestry in the region and CCF is not suitable or advisable in all locations. Successful and economically feasible implementation requires trained personnel and a permanent forest road infrastructure. Whether CCF is suitable approach depends primarily on the owners management goals.