Historically, biodiversity has not been a priority issue for Swedish forestry, but the focus has shifted over the past 30 years. Development has been rapid and we have learned a great deal about how we can foster healthy ecosystems while increasing forest growth.
For many years, Holmen has been working actively with nature conservation, which aims to contribute positively to biodiversity. Holmen’s forest strategy focuses on achieving high and profitable growth while also ensuring that all naturally occurring species can thrive in the Swedish forest landscape. As a forest company with industries, we depend on the natural world being healthy, sustainable and thriving – for our planet, our business and for generations to come.
The forests of today are growing the houses of tomorrow
Holmen’s forest strategy focuses on achieving high and profitable growth while also ensuring that all naturally occurring species can thrive in the Swedish forest landscape. Of Holmen’s just over 1 million hectares of forested land, we use about 80 per cent for wood production and we always take far-reaching environmental conservation into account when managing and harvesting our forest. Because we know that a varied forest environment with deciduous trees, watercourses and a wide range of animal species is vital to functioning ecosystems and thriving forests.
Holmen has been managing forests since the 17th century and over the years has contributed to enormous industrial advances. The trees we plant today will grow for 80–90 years before they can be harvested and become buildings and homes and an awful lot can happen in that time. The forest could be hit by drought, fires, storms and pests. Active management and thriving ecosystems increase the resilience of the trees. Each year, we invest SEK 170 million in caring for our forests and constantly work to improve everything from seedlings to nature conservation through research, development and education.
All to ensure good growth and healthy ecosystems for future generations.
Long-term planning for future generations
Planning is the foundation of active and sustainable forestry. Every 10 years, we conduct an inventory of our entire forest holdings in order to calculate sustainable
harvesting levels and ensure a growing volume of standing timber over time. The
assets of our forests are also detailed in local ecological landscape plans, which
describe how the forests are to be managed over the long term in order to preserve existing natural assets and to create new ones. Our active forest management includes extensive consideration for both natural and cultural assets. Since forest-dwelling species depend on different habitats for their survival, large broadleaf trees, dead trees and unusually old trees are preserved. Some areas are also kept entirely free from forestry activities, due to their high conservation value. Some of these areas are left entirely to their own devices and in others we implement active nature conservation measures such as clearing brushwood or burning forest under controlled conditions, which is good for many rare plants and animals. We also maintain valuable buffer zones around lakes, watercourses, marshes, rocky outcrops and agricultural land. These sites tend to be rich in species due to varying light conditions, soil types and moisture levels, and they also provide places where the flora and fauna of the forest mix with those from the marshes, water or open landscape.
Important aquatic environments
Holmen’s forests contain lakes, streams and other water-rich environments, with sensitive ecosystems and a wealth of fauna. Water in the forest is a priority area for us and we take active measures in our practical work, including avoiding land damage from forest machinery. Ongoing training initiatives are being conducted for field personnel and contractors as an important aspect of this work, focusing on water issues in practice.
Climate and biodiversity hand in hand
Biodiversity is essential for creating healthy and resilient forests capable of coping with climate change and more extreme weather. However, biodiversity is affected by climate change, which is why sustainable forest management that captures carbon dioxide and creates raw material that replaces fossil material is also an important component in mitigating climate change and so encouraging biodiversity.
Good conditions for biodiversity in the Nordic countries
dimension of sustainable development, and one that is closely related to how our forests are managed. However, the natural variation of biotopes and species in a given area makes studying trends a complex challenge.
The Biodiversity Intactness Index models human impact on the natural environment and estimates how high a proportion of the original number of species and habitats still remain. The desirable level of biodiversity in an area is at least 90 per cent, which can be seen as a threshold value that biodiversity in an area must exceed.
Sweden and Finland are two of the most highly forested countries in Europe, both comprising more than 70 per cent forest land, much of which is actively managed. According to the Biodiversity Intactness Index, conditions in Sweden and Finland are also good for functioning ecosystems, with both countries having an index of just over 95 per cent. This can be compared with the global average of 77 per cent, significantly lower than the 90 per cent
considered to be sustainable. The index also shows that conditions for biodiversity in Sweden have improved in the past 50 years.
Read more about the Biodiversity index here.