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that have major influence on biodiversity, comparing the structure of current Finnish forests with natural and historical references.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

JUFO rating: 1