SCA's nature conservation palette
Our nature conservation palette encompasses the tools we use to work with conservation and consideration. This includes for example setting aside forests for natural development, and implementing active and making active and specific measures to benefit sensitive species. Another important tool is the basic retention we apply during all our forestry operations.
In our ecological landscape planning, we identify forests with high conservation values. Using the tools in our nature conservation palette, we then can adapt our forestry practices and nature considerations based on the specific conditions of each forest area.
We take into account both the local conditions of a specific area and adopt a broader perspective to assess the needs and conditions from a landscape viewpoint. This allows us to implement the right measures in the right place.
Tools in our nature conservation palette
- Basic retention
- Conservation areas
- Voluntary set-asides
- Combined targets - continuous cover methods
- Adapted retention
- Targeted and active measures
- Promote values on lowproductive forest land
- Protect watercourses and wetlands
Extensive basic retention
We apply extensive consideration even in forests with lower nature conservation values that are managed with a focus on high timber production. This is referred to as basic retention and is an important tool in our nature conservation palette.
When utilizing basic retention, we save 10 to 15 percent of the area. For example, we preserve conservation areas, buffer zones along waterways and mires, old trees, and dead wood. This benefits a wide range of species, from birds and insects to plants, fungi and lichens.
Other measure in our nature conservation palette
In forests with high conservation values and in areas where there are species that do not cope so well with the basic retention, we use other tools in our nature conservation palette.
Conservation areas
To maximize the benefits of our efforts to protect nature values, we have designated conservation areas – larger areas that are given special treatment due to their high conservation values. A significant portion of our voluntary set-asides and active efforts are directed to these areas.
Voluntary set-asides
Forests with the highest conservation values are designated as voluntary set-asides. Some of these areas are allowed to develop freely, while others require active measures to preserve, develop and restore their nature values. The voluntary set-asides account for approximately 7 percent of our productive forest land.