To achieve the most favorable balance possible between forestry and nature conservation, we establish ecological landscape plans for all of our land holdings. We have divided our forests into landscape areas of between 3,000 and 30,000 hectares in size. The ecological landscape plans, which are based on careful inventory, stipulate which areas of forest are to be saved for the future. These are primarily key biotopes and other environments suitable for species requiring special consideration. These areas of forest will never be felled again and will form the natural, virgin forests of the future.
A total of 5 percent of the SCA Group’s forests is to be preserved for the future. Proportions vary between landscape areas, although a minimum of 2.5 percent of each area will be left untouched. In the plans, we attempt to connect the preserved areas of forest through networks, providing natural paths for the spread of plants and animals. This involves leaving corridors along marshes, waterways and other natural features.
Ecological landscape plans stipulate which forest areas are to be spared for the future. However, the greater part of our forests are intended to be harvested. Our use of the forest is similar to an ecocycle:
- When forest reaches 80 to 100 years of age, it is economically mature and final felling is carried out.
- We then plant new forest. In some areas, we allow natural regeneration to take place around seed trees. In other places, however, the ground is too fertile and new trees must be planted to prevent grass and other vegetation from taking over.
- Many young forests become so dense that pre-commercial thinning must be conducted when they reach 10 to 15 years of age.
- Further thinning occurs when the forest is 30 to 40 years old. In some instances, additional thinning is conducted when the forest is 50 to 70 years old.
- Following this, the forest is allowed to continue growing until it is once more time for final felling. The ecocycle begins anew.
In our ecocycle, final felling is the phase of greatest sensitivity for the environment. All areas where final felling is to be conducted are therefore subject to careful planning.
In all measures, we try to minimize damage and preserve the biological diversity.
