Protecting the nature values receives a great deal of emphasis in the legislation, recommendations and instructions concerning forests and forestry. Habitats of special importance whose characteristics need to be preserved in the treatment of forests are defined in the Forest Act. Sites and structural features that are important for the biodiversity of forest nature are preserved in forest management and harvesting. Nature management in commercial forests is monitored continuously in both private and State forests. Conservation areas are mainly responsible for the maintenance of biodiversity of Finnish nature but promoting nature values in commercial forest is an important addition to that. This improves the living conditions of forest flora and fauna.
