Diverse as they are in their histories and in the organization of their forest sectors, most Nordic countries have this in common: their economies and cultures are substantially based on the utilization of various forest resources. This book explores Nordic forest futures and presents research results that form part of a scientific foundation for considering how to balance the functions of forests. It is particularly concerned with global trends that may affect the future use of boreal forests. Chapters investigate inter-alia the growing world population and the expected economic growth in countries with huge populations, and assess the resulting pressure on all land-based resources. Authors examine the urgent need for solutions to the energy crisis, consider worrying climate scenarios and provide a global outlook on bioenergy futures. Readers will discover how these developments will and must influence long-term strategic decisions on the future use of Nordic forests. The challenges and possible responses for future forest governance and forestry issues emerge, as the chapters go on to consider the multiple pressures in particular on the Swedish Forestry Model, among other themes. “By bringing together a distinguished group of internationally renowned scientists representing a diverse set of disciplines covering political science, geography, rural development, forest economics, history, and geo-sciences, this book constitutes an exceptionally profound and thoughtful futures study.” – Alexander Buck, Executive Director, International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO)

Afforestation Experience in the Nordic Countries

This open access book compiles the latest research on continuous cover forestry in boreal forests, highlighting both the need for additional information and the exciting possibilities that this method presents. Experts in the field explore topics such as forest regeneration, genetic effects, wood production and yield, wood harvesting, forest damage agents, biodiversity, water effects, carbon cycles of forests, economics, forest planning methods, multiple uses of forests, and forest owners' attitudes. As the world faces increasing pressure to balance the multiple goals of forest management, including raw material production, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and climate change adaptation, it is becoming clear that different forest management methods are required. Even-aged forest management is well-researched, but continuous forest management is a newer and rapidly evolving approach that is gaining popularity in boreal forests. While an overall synthesis of the subject is not yet possible, this book provides an essential foundation for understanding the current state of continuous cover forestry in boreal forests. With the new research data being accumulated all the time, this book is an invaluable resource for researchers, policymakers, and forest managers who want to stay up-to-date on this important topic.

The papers in this book were 'in a preliminary version' presented at an international con ference May 21-25, 2002 in Gilleleje, Denmark. It was a joint event, namely the biennial meeting of the Scandinavian Society of Forest Economics and the 3rd Berkeley-KVL Con ference. The Scandinavian Society of Forest Economics (SSFE) was established in 1958 as a forum for forest economists in the Nordic countries to meet and exchange ideas on research and education. Alternating between Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, biennial ordinary meetings have taken place ever since. The number of participants has increased from 10-15 in the first decade to more than 80 in 2002. In the last two decades prominent researchers from outside Scandinavia have been invited to present papers at the biennial meetings and also to participate in ad hoc working groups. The Berkeley-KVL part of the conference is based on a research collaboration between The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University (KVL), Copenhagen, University of Cali fornia at Berkeley, and Oregon State University. It was initiated in 1993 within the frame work of a research programme at KVL: 'Stochastic Decision Analysis in Forest Manage ment' and since 1996 extended to the programme 'Economic Optimisation of Multiple-Use Forestry and Other Natural Resources'.

S. 113-404: Papers presented at the workshop "Socio-economic sustainability of forestry" in Petrozavodsk, Russia, June 2000.