Solving Conflicts among Conservation, Economic, and Social Objectives in Boreal Production Forest Landscapes: Fennoscandian Perspectives

Abstract

This chapter discusses challenges and possibilities involved in preserving biological diversity and the diversity of ecosystem services in the boreal zone and yet at the same time maintaining intensive timber extraction in boreal forests. Our focus is on Fennoscandian forests at the landscapes level, and we consider economic, social and ecological in the sustainability of forest management. We provide an outlook to boreal forest ecosystems and their history, and an overview of the forestry practices and policies that aim to ensure multi-functionality of Fennoscandian forests, i.e. diversity of efforts on sustaining biodiversity, timber production and other ecosystem services from forest landscapes. We review the current scientific understanding management effects on the structure and dynamics of the forest at different spatial, and the consequent repercussions on forest biodiversity and ecosystem services. Evidence suggests that many ecosystem services and biodiversity are in conflict with intensive timber production in boreal forests. We therefore present methods for assessing conflicts among alternative forest uses and for finding solutions for conflicts. We conclude the chapter by providing insights for future management aiming at sustainability from economic, ecological and social perspectives.

A keystone species, European aspen (Populus tremula L.), in boreal forests: Ecological role, knowledge needs and mapping using remote sensing

“…Boreal forests cover large areas in northern Europe, but they are mostly intensively managed throughout their range. Moreover, managed boreal forests tend to be monocultures of conifers (Esseen et al, 1997;Mönkkönen et al, 2018;Seedre et al, 2018;Rodríquez et al, 2019). For biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services, this phenomenon is a drawback because mixed-species forests can provide important benefits.…”

Enhancing Resilience of Boreal Forests Through Management Under Global Change: a Review

“…1), provide a wide range of ecosystem services that are important to human well-being [2]. Among the most relevant services are timber production (boreal forests constitute approximately 45% of the world's stock of growing timber) [3], climate change mitigation (they store about one-third of the global terrestrial carbon) [4], regulation of water, soil and air quality, non-wood forest products (e.g., wild berries, mushrooms, and game), and recreation opportunities [5,6]. Boreal forests also play a key role for biodiversity conservation as they provide critical habitats for many species [2].…”

How Do Repeated Viewings in Forest Landscapes Influence Young People’s Visual Behaviors and Cognitive Evaluations?

“…With the rapid development of material culture, people’s demand for forests has changed from the timber economy of the past [ 1 , 2 ] to the deep exploration of sustainable utilization, such as recreation, tourism and health care [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. In addition, due to the globalization and normalization of the COVID-19 epidemic, many countries and regions have taken control measures against the spread of the epidemic.…”