Forest is a renewable natural resource

For most of its area, Finland belongs to the boreal coniferous zone, characterised by a short growing season and a low number of species. The range of species in and structure of forests is also influenced by climate, soil and bedrock. In particular, the climatic conditions in north and south Finland are different as regards light, temperature and humidity.

There are four indigenous conifer species and 20 indigenous deciduous species in Finland. The most widespread and economically most important species are Scots pine, spruce, silver birch and downy birch. Other natural conifers include juniper and yew, while deciduous species include aspen, grey alder, common alder, rowan, sallow, European white elm, wych elm, small-leaved lime, ash, pedunculate oak, bird cherry, Norway maple and crab apple.

Finnish forests are a renewable natural resource. Boreal forest is extremely difficult to destroy by such measures as clear-felling, for a new forest will spring up naturally to replace the one cut down. As an example, clear-felling was carried out in northern Finland during the 1950s on areas with a diameter of several dozens of kilometres, but this did not prevent the forests from being naturally regenerated almost completely without human intervention. However, Finnish forestry is extremely intensive and is practised on more than 90 percent of the forested area. Although, for example, final felling is annually carried out on approximately one percent of the forested areas, forestry has a high impact on the forest environment, including its biodiversity.

Since the Second World War, regeneration has also meant that although the volume of living and dead timber in forests has increased, a similar increase has been seen in the volume of timber harvested from the forests and the share of stout timber. Particularly market felling – that is, the volume of timber harvested for industrial use – has increased, but the total removal has not increased equally, since cutting for firewood and household use has decreased.

However, forest degeneration concerns not only timber, but also other forest products. The gathering of berries and mushrooms is allowed to everyone and in all forests in Finland – with the exception of certain protected areas. Even though most Finns do pick berries and mushrooms – and many foreigners earn money by coming to Finland to do this – only a fraction of the berry and mushroom crop is gathered in. The situation of most Finnish game species is also good.

	2. Forest growth and removal.
	3. Development of the standing timber stock, distribution of species.
	17. Volumes and values of forest products, participation in forest-related pursuits.

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