Nature conservation and consideration

Biodiversity refers to the diversity of species, genetic variation within species, and the diversity of habitats. In northern Sweden, there are approximately 17,000 species, of which around 7,400 live in the forest.

Our nature conservation strategy guides our work in combining productive and profitable forestry with effective nature conservation that preserves biodiversity.

Explore our nature conservation strategy here.

Mapping nature values

To work efficiently and implement the right measures in the right places, we map forests with the highest nature values, such as old-growth forests, a high proportion of deciduous trees, or significant amounts of dead wood. This mapping is part of our landscape ecological planning.

We then adapt our forestry and conservation efforts based on the conditions present in each forest area and the surrounding landscape. To assist us, we use our nature conservation palette, which includes a variety of tools.

Responsibility for species

The majority of species in our forests thrive with the basic retention we always apply in our forestry operations. This includes leaving buffer zones, preserving consideration areas, and creating dead wood. Approximately 10-15% is left as basic retention during harvesting.

However, there are also species that are more sensitive and require specific considerations. This could mean leaving forests to develop freely or implementing active and targeted measures to ensure the survival of certain species.

Among forest-dwelling species, we have identified 203 red-listed species on our landholdings that are negatively affected by various forestry operations. These include for example certain fungi, mosses, lichens, insects, and birds. As a major forest owner in northern Sweden, we have a special responsibility for these species, which we refer to as Species commitment.

Priority habitats

We have also identified eleven priority habitats that are particularly important for responsibility species. These include forests rich in deciduous trees and dead wood, as well as open pine forests with dead wood in various stages of decomposition. We are working to preserve, develop, and restore these habitats.

30 percent for conservation purposes 

In our nature conservation strategy, we specify the conservation measures we implement. Over 20 percent of our productive forest land is left as voluntary set-asides, managed with combined targets or included in the basic retention we leave during harvesting, viewed over the forest’s entire life cycle. An additional 10 percent of our forest land is exempt from forestry due to being low productive, meaning it doesn't produce much timber.

• 7% are voluntary set-asides
• 6% are areas managed with combined targets—here, we harvest some timber while also preserving nature conservation values
• 10–15% is left as basic retention during harvesting
• 10% is land with low timber production (low-productive forest land) where we do not conduct forestry.

SCA goes a step further

Our nature conservation commitments often exceed legal requirements and certification requirements mandated. For example, we allocate a larger share of land than required for voluntary set-asides. Here are some examples.