Guidelines to Sustainable Forest Management

Promoting sustainable management practices in forestry Finnish forest management guidelines are actively used by forest owners and forestry professionals. The recommendations have been prepared in collaboration with researchers and representatives of forestry organisations and NGO:s under the direction of Forestry Development Centre Tapio. Metsänhoidon suositukset 2014 12.9.2014 3

Promoting sustainable management practices in forestry The guidelines promote an economically, ecologically an socially sustainable management and use of the forests. Economical The aim is for Finland s forests to be productive, while at the same time ensuring their biodiversity. Ecological Sociocultural Metsänhoidon suositukset 2014 4

Sustainability Economic sustainability means preserving the forests vitality, productivity and ability to regenerate. Ecological sustainability means preservation of the biodiversity of the forests, mires and bodies of water, and preservation of clean water. Biodiversity in economical forests provides the basis for abundant and vigorous populuations of organisms. Social and cultural sustainability means the fair taking account of forest-related well-being needs of society. Finland s public right of access means that everyone has access to commercial forests for recreation and for picking wild berries and mushrooms. 5

Forests are managed and used sustainably The guidelines aim at promoting silviculture and forest use. The annual increment of Finland s forests has risen from 58 million m³ to 104 million m³ in the space of 40 years. Metsänhoidon suositukset 2014 6

Climate is changing Ilmatieteen laitos Ilmatieteen laitos Ilmatieteen laitos Metsänhoidon suositukset 2014 7

Commercial forests are managed with due consideration for natural conditions The majority of Finland s forests are located within the boreal coniferous zone The conditions for wood production vary a great deal in different parts of the country. The climate in northernmost Lapland does not support wood production. Some areas are treeless tundra. The guidelines present management models for four climatic regions and for various site types within these regions. Average annual effective temperature sum 1981 2010 Northern Finland 750 1 000 d.d. Mid Finland 1 000 1 200 d.d. Southern Finland > 1 200 d.d. Metsänhoidon suositukset 2014 8

Commercial forests are managed with due consideration for natural conditions Silvicultural regimes are planned and implemented at stand level. A stand is difined as a contiguous part of a forest in terms of site type treatment the development stage of the growing stock Other factors to be considered when determining stand boundaries are forest biodiversity landscape values multiple-use needs Metsänhoidon suositukset 2014 9

Biodiversity, protection of watercourses and multiple-use are ensured Valuable habitats are preserved when managing and using commercial forests. Structural characteristics important for biodiversity are also considered. broadleaved growing stock charred and decaying wood large-sized and old individual trees Forest treatments are applied so that they merge in with the landscape. Where necessary, retention trees and untreated corridors are employed. The needs of various usergroups are taken into account when dealing with recreational forests. Metsänhoidon suositukset 2014 10

Forests are regenerated quickly and successfully The basic premise in forest regeneration is to favour those indigenous tree species that are best suited to the site in question. The aim is to establish a new generation of trees on the regeneration site as soon as possible. A common objective is to have a slight mixture of broadleaved trees in stands of conifers. Scots pine is regenerated mainly by seeding. The resultant sapling stands require 4,000 to 5,000 saplings per hectare to ensure the growth of high quality saw timber. Norway spruce is usually regenerated by planting 1,800 seedlings per hectare. Metsänhoidon suositukset 2014 11

Soil preparation The general practice is to prepare the soil in connection with forest regeneration Soil preparation improves the chances of a successful regeneration It improves the soil s permeability to water and its porosity The preparation method employed depends on Soil type Regeneration method Possible needs for draining excess water from the site. Metsänhoidon suositukset 2014 12

Tending of young forests ensure a high quality growing stock Metsänhoidon suositukset 2014 13

Models indicte the timing and intensity of thinnings Thinning treatments improve the quality of timber speed up diameter growth produce revenues for the forest owner. The type and intensity of thinning influence the amount of sales revenues. Stands of conifers can be treated with both crown thinning and thinning from below. Metsänhoidon suositukset 2014 14

Management of uneven-aged forests Selectiv cuttings (removal of mature trees) apply to shade tolerant spruce-dominated forests. Mature trees are harvested, but also damaged trees and trees of poor quality are removed. Trees of all sizes are growing in the forest. Metsänhoidon suositukset 2014 15

Management of uneven-aged forests Pine forests are regenerated in stages by cutting small openings in the forest. The openings are widened as the regeneration progress. Metsänhoidon suositukset 2014 16

Bioenergy from the forests In Finland forests are the main source of renewable bioenergy. Forest-based bioenergy usually means energy from logging residues small diameter stands Stumps Energy wood harvesting and production are integrated parts of the Finnish forest management guidelines. The role of the guidelines is to ensure the sustainability of energy wood harvesting and production. Metsänhoidon suositukset 2014 17

Bioenergy from the forests Seven principles for sustainable energy wood harvesting 1. Energy wood should be harvested only on suitable sites 2. Energy wood harvesting should not substantially diminish production potential or silvicultural quality of the harvesting sites 3. Energy wood harvesting should not diminish the biodiverstiy of forest ecosystems 4. Energy wood harvesting should not cause erosion nor reduce the ecological value of water systems 5. Recreational, cultural and landscape values should be taken into account in energy wood harvesting 6. Climate change mitigation should be a prime consideration in all energy wood harvesting operations 7. Quality and energy content of energy wood should be maximized throughout the whole procurement chain. Metsänhoidon suositukset 2014 18

From deforestation 100 years ago... 19th CENTURY Poor agricultural country Deforestation for construction, fuelwood, slash and burn cultivation 20th CENTURY Development of forest industries Increased timber prices Forest management, forestry organisations, sustainable forestry 19

..to present situation: Finland s forests are sustainably managed and biodiversity is conserved 20 12.9.2014 20 20

Kiitos! Metsänhoidon suositukset 2014 21