Nature conservation efforts by forest owners – intentions and practice in a Swedish case study

Abstract

Uliczka, H. 2003. Nature conservation efforts by forest owners -intentions and practice in a Swedish case study. Silva Fennica 37(4): 459-475.Before a forest operation Swedish forest owners need to fi ll in a registration form. Since 1994, when a new Swedish Forestry Act came into force, intended nature conservation measures can also be noted on the form. I evaluate 1) if the self-reported nature conservation intentions displayed any trends from 1995 to 2000, and 2) if the intentions were implemented. All forms from these years, in one municipality, were analysed and the stand structure retention was measured on 40 clear-cuts. The intentions, noted as check-marks on the form, showed an increasing trend during these years. However, the increase may be an artefact of changes the form during the time period. The number of check-marks on the forms and the stand structure items actually present on the 40 clear-cuts showed a positive relation. The clear-cuts with ≤ 3 check-marks on the form had lower amounts of the three most common items, than those with ≥ 4 check-marks. To conclude 1) a true increase in the self-reported intentions of the forest owners could not be established; 2) the intentions were generally followed by associated practices on the clear-cuts; 3) the amounts of stand structures retained were probably not enough to reach the biodiversity goal of the Forestry Act. The registration form could be improved to become less open for interpretation and contain quantifi ed recommendations. Self-reported intentions of the forest owners could then possibly be used as indicators of real structural retention, which could facilitate planning and allow for making predictions about the future forests.

Tree retention as a conservation measure in clear-cut forests of northern Europe: a review of ecological consequences

“…Values and policies relating to conservation are also highly related to tree retention practices. To the authors' knowledge, there are very few social studies that specifically address tree retention (but see Silvennoinen et al, 2002;Uliczka, 2003;Tö nnes et al, 2004).…”

“…In one study, retention patches sized 0.01Á0.02 ha did not mitigate the vegetation response to clear-cutting ), while in an experiment with sparse groups of shelterwood trees, vegetation changes were smaller than on clear-cuts (Hannerz & Hånell, 1997). Size of the retention group also seems to be important for soil macrofauna (Siira-Pietikäinen & Haimi, 2009), but short-term effects are weak or not present (Siira-Pietikäinen et al, 2001, 2003. Beetles tend to survive better in group retentions, possibly because of the higher heterogeneity of deadwood substrates in these groups (Hyvärinen et al, 2005(Hyvärinen et al, , 2006Martikainen et al, 2006a).…”

From the small woodland problem to ecosocial systems: the evolution of social research on small-scale forestry in Sweden and the USA

“…Based on qualitative interviews as well as ecological data, Ingemarson (2004) concluded that the implementation of the policy through the green management plan works, but the contact with the forest owner could be improved. Uliczka (2003), in contrast, showed that the stand structures retained in the set-asides were probably not enough to reach the biodiversity goal of the forestry Act. Recent Swedish research has shown the importance of considering different attitudes towards nature conservation during forest management planning (e.g.…”

Education and advice contribute to increased density of broadleaved conservation trees, but not saplings, in young forest in Sweden

“…at clear-cutting or nearly so, usually of several ha), forest owners need to apply for permission from forestry boards, and to specify environmental considerations on forms (Uliczka, 2003). Board officials may inspect stands before cutting, for advice to the forest owner, but rarely after cutting.…”