According to the definition adopted at the second Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe, in Helsinki 1993, sustainable forest management means "the stewardship and use of forests and forest lands in a way, and at a rate, that maintains their biodiversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, vitality and their potential to fulfill, now and in the future, relevant ecological, economic and social functions, at local, national, and global levels, and that does not cause damage to other ecosystems".
Finland’s vital forests
Forests are a major source of both economic and social well-being for Finland. About one in five Finns come from families who own forests. The material resources and amenity values of forests provide a wide range of opportunities for income, employment and business. Forests are also important settings for recreation, so they also generate wider benefits in terms of health and happiness.
Finland’s forests represent the country’s most significant renewable natural resource. As the demand for natural resources rises in the future Finland’s timber reserves are sure to become an even more important asset. Since forests have so many roles as a source of wood-based products, energy, recreation and well-being, it is important to ensure that their benefits are utilised widely but also sustainably. Forests are also highly significant considering the urgent need to combat and adapt to climate change.
Growing timber reserves
Finland’s forests are managed and utilised in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. Finland’s forests are currently growing at a rate of almost 100 million cubic metres of timber a year. Over the years 2005−2009 the amounts of wood harvested from the forests averaged 57 million cubic metres a year. About 90% of this timber was harvested for use in industries, including Finland’s advanced pulp and paper industry. Natural losses of wood during the same period averaged about 13 million cubic metres annually.
Well planned forestry can safeguard Finland’s forests for all kinds of utilisation in the future. It is vital to manage forests carefully with respect to their biodiversity and ecological state. Forestry work is also planned so as to ensure that forest soils and water courses are not degraded.