The study by the Forest Biodiversity Programme for Southern Finland says natural management has become an integral part of forest management and harvesting.
AN inventory has been made of valuable habitats, which have been left untouched, while structural features typical of natural forests are being preserved or increased by leaving retention trees and deciduous trees in felling areas. Nearly one million m3 of trees are left in regeneration felling areas each year.
Meanwhile, the Finnish Forest Industries Federation (FFIF) claims the forest industry has succeeded in its water conservation efforts.
FFIF said industry emissions have reduced to a fraction of levels recorded five decades ago, while production volumes of board and paper had increased more than threefold during the same time. Annual investment totalling €20-30m is being made by the industry to cut emissions which cause eutrophication of water bodies.
