A1 Journal article (refereed)
More wood but less biodiversity in forests in Finland : a historical evaluation (2022)
Mönkkönen, M., Aakala, T., Blattert, C., Burgas, D., Duflot, R., Eyvindson, K., Kouki, J., Laaksonen, T., & Punttila, P. (2022). More wood but less biodiversity in forests in Finland : a historical evaluation. Memoranda Societatis pro Fauna et Flora Fennica, 98(Supplement 2), 1-11. https://journal.fi/msff/article/view/120306
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Mönkkönen, Mikko; Aakala, Tuomas; Blattert, Clemens; Burgas, Daniel; Duflot, Rémi; Eyvindson, Kyle; Kouki, Jari; Laaksonen, Toni; Punttila, Pekka
Journal or series: Memoranda Societatis pro Fauna et Flora Fennica
ISSN: 0373-6873
eISSN: 1796-9816
Publication year: 2022
Publication date: 22/06/2022
Volume: 98
Issue number: Supplement 2
Pages range: 1-11
Publisher: Societas pro fauna et flora Fennica
Publication country: Finland
Publication language: English
Persistent website address: https://journal.fi/msff/article/view/120306
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/82360
Abstract
National forest inventories (NFI) in Finland provide empirical evidence for a marked increase in tree growth, total forest area, and total timber volume over the past century. Meanwhile, the assessments of threatened forest species and habitats indicate continuous degradation of biodiversity in Finnish forests. To shed light on this seeming paradox, we summarized the temporal patterns of forest characteristics (indicators) that have major influence on biodiversity, comparing the structure of current Finnish forests with natural and historical references. Using a variety of data sources, we estimated the proportion of area of old-growth forest and of deciduous-dominated forests, the density of large trees, and the amount of dead wood in Finnish forests under natural reference conditions, in the 1750s, 1920s (NFI1), and 2010s (NFI12). Our results show that levels of the forest structures essential to maintain ecologically diverse forests are below those that likely prevailed in Finland under natural reference conditions and in the 1750s. This scarcity is particularly pronounced for dead wood volumes and old forest area. The marked increase in the volume of living trees during the last century did not translate into improved biodiversity indicators and has not been effective for turning the tide of biodiversity loss in Finnish forests. We discuss actions that are necessary to safeguard forest biodiversity in Finland both in terms of protected areas and management in production forest.
Keywords: forestry; natural diversity; forests; old growth forests; commercial forests; biodiversity; sustainable forest management; nature conservation; protected areas
Free keywords: 1700-luku; 1920-luku; Suomi
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2022
Preliminary JUFO rating: 1