Highlighting forestry practices in Nordic Countries and South America

By EPIS task force consisting of Jared Boow, UPM, Nicolas Gordon, CMPC, Ola Kårén, SCA, Pablo Nevacerrada, Suzano, Christina Wennberg, Södra and Annu Wessman, EPIS.

From Nordic woodlands in Finland and Sweden to South American plantations in Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, sustainable forest management (SFM) is a cornerstone for preserving biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and securing renewable resources for future generations.

A global EPIS working group was examining the different forestry practices in both geographical areas in terms of

1) sustainable forest management,
2) biodiversity protection and
3) climate change.

The results are presented in to-the-point infographics, outlining differences and similarities.

Sustainable Forest Management

Means the management and use of forests and forest land in such a way, and at such a rate, that their biodiversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, vitality and ability to fulfill important ecological, economic and social functions at local, national and global levels, both now and in the future, are preserved, without damaging other ecosystems. (Source: FAO)

Sustainable forest management in Nordic forests

Forests in Nordic countries are a way of life; they must be accessible and there for future generations. Local people use them for recreation, food gathering, hunting, fitness, and for mental well-being. Forests are often managed for multiple uses including timber production, carbon sequestration, biodiversity sequestration and the sustenance of indigenous communities. Forest-related business has been the main source of national income for more than 150 years.
In Finland, ca 75% of the total land area is covered by forests, in Sweden ca 69%. The forests are semi-natural, with multiple tree species such as pine, spruce, birch, aspen and alder.
In Finland ca 10% of forest area is FSC-certified, while ca 85% is PEFC-certified, in Sweden the corresponding numbers are 50% FSC and 60% PEFC-certified forests. Some hold dual certification.
The forest ownership is divided by hundreds of thousands people in the Nordic countries. In small-scale forestry, owners have the freedom to develop their forests according to their own goals, at the same time bearing a great responsibility to ensure the regeneration of the forest and to preserve and enhance environmental values.
Certifying a forest is a voluntary commitment on the part of the forest owner. In short, this means that the forest owner promises to exempt a certain area for nature conservation and to follow the other rules for how the forest should be managed; together, the rules contribute to all three dimensions; economically, ecologically and socially sustainable forestry.
Forests are a resource that should be used, but not overused, which is why they are managed and harvested sustainably.
For every tree harvested, 2-4 new trees are planted which continue to remove and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Hundreds of millions of seedlings are planted every year. (400 million in Sweden, 150 million in Finland)
When felling, typically large areas are left to fulfill other values like nature, culture and recreation. On average in Sweden, the felling area is less than 4 hectares (<200m x 200m). In Sweden, 1% of forest is felled annually, growth outpacing felling. In Finland it is 1,5% of which more than half is thinning operations.
Modern forest management is using technology such as GPS and mapping techniques to accurately manage impacts on waterways, biodiversity hotspots, soil erosion and compaction, and other potential impacts.

Sustainable forest management in South American plantations

Plantations account for 3% of the world’s forest area while providing 35-40% of the wood needed to meet the wood and fiber demands of the world. Source: https://www.fao.org/interactive/forest-resources-assessment/2020/en/
The land area covered by plantations in South America is 13-15 million hectares or 1-2 % of the continent’s total land area. Characteristically plantations have one specie, even age class, and regular spacing including planting in mosaic patterns. Most tree plantations in South America consist of eucalyptus and pine species. On Brazilian eucalyptus farms, trees grow for 5-7 years before they are harvested, in Chile it is 14-15 years. Radiata pine rotation is 20-24 years.
Plantations in e.g. Brazil are established exclusively in areas previously anthropized by other uses, and wood is bought only from such areas, committing to a zero-deforestation policy.
Most of the new planting today is on degraded agricultural and pastureland, of which there is now over 1.1 million km2 in Brazil. This provides relevant net benefits in terms of biodiversity and climate change. Pulp producers are proactively working to monitor, protect and enhance biodiversity by safeguarding thousands of square kilometres of conservation areas. This can account for nearly 40% of their total land area.
The sustainable forest management cycle includes activities such as:

Genetic improvement
Plantation establishment
Silvicultural management
Harvest (including transportation)
Land acquisition
Pest management & control
Fire management & control

Plantations are not irrigated.
On Brazilian eucalyptus farms, additional water is typically only required during the initial stages of planting. Nevertheless, water conservation initiatives include a protection collar for eucalyptus seedlings, which reduces the need to water seedlings at the time of planting, reducing soil temperature and water loss by evaporation near the pit. After that, growth occurs naturally without additional water input. The water used by eucalyptus primarily fuels its growth processes and most of it returns clean to the environment as it evaporates.
Plantings are viewed on a landscape/watershed scale, in balance with native preservation areas, water streams and rivers.

Social and cultural responsibility includes recognizing and respecting the rights of indigenous communities and local populations who depend on forests for their livelihoods. This includes access to resources, involving stakeholders in decisionmaking, and balancing conservation with human needs.
Non-timber forest products (NTFP) are another relevant aspect of SFM, which relies on collaborative efforts between companies and local communities. NTFP can include mushrooms, leaves, flowers and plants.
Eucalyptus plantations are part of socio-ecosystems where indigenous communities and local populations who depend on forests for their livelihood, benefit from sustainable development/use and wealth creation. Local communities are then empowered, learning new skills and business models, becoming forest stewards and ambassadors of the land.
SFM can also mean active education and sponsorship programmes, especially around things like upskilling women into the local workforce of operations.

Biodiversity

Facts about biodiversity

Conservation of biodiversity in a well-managed forest is the key to its health and vitality.

Biodiversity is preserved by

1) sustainable forestry practices,
2) assigning protected and conserved (high value) areas, that are managed for biodiversity
3) establishing wildlife corridors
4) fire management. Adding post-fire landscape enhances biodiversity in a protected area.
5) pest control
6) mitigating climate change
7) supporting indigenous stewardship by working with those communities
8) monitoring changes in biodiversity and forest health to adapt conservation and management strategies
9) protecting and enhancing ecosystem services.

Biodiversity in Nordic forests

All wood is sourced from areas and companies that have a constantly growing standing stock to ensure deforestation-free value chains.
Wood is sourced from semi-natural/production forests with integrated biodiversity measures.
Biodiversity is a prerequisite for viable and prosperous forests that are well equipped for climate change and more extreme weather conditions. First step is to halt biodiversity loss by understanding and managing the pressures on nature. Forests should be managed in a way that leads to both growth and increased biodiversity. Active work is done through research and collaborations with various actors, both in company owned forests and through advice to private forest owners, to protect and develop biodiversity.
Sustainable forest management emphasizes maintaining this diversity through practices that protect wildlife habitats, preserve old-growth stands, and mimic natural disturbances to support ecosystem functions.

Biodiversity in South American plantations

Plantations in Brazil are established exclusively in areas previously anthropized by other uses such as degraded pasturelands (NOT AMAZON), and wood is bought only from such areas, committing to a zero-deforestation policy.
In the early 70’s a Forestry Development law in Chile aimed to regulate forestry activities on land that was preferably suitable for forestry and on degraded land, encouraging afforestation, especially among smallholders, and for the prevention of soil degradation, protection, and restoration. This is what fundamentally creates the conditions for the forestry industry to expand given this crisis of land degradation and desertification the country was widely experiencing.
Technology is enabling a faster action. E.g. drones are more accessible now for imaging and monitoring. Also, other techniques such as environmental DNA (eDNA) are employed.
If a company can quantify the value of natural capital, the lack of biodiversity will become evident. Examples of funding the initiatives are

BIOLOGICAL CORRIDORS IN PLANTATIONS

Protection and monitoring of native vegetation fragments, including High Conservation Value Areas.
Promoting ecological restoration and the connection of priority areas for conservation through the implementation of ecological corridors.
Mosaic patterns, in balance with native preservation areas, water streams and rivers.
As mandated by national legislations as well as certification criteria which may vary, but the stronger demand – legislation or certification - is always followed.

In Brazil 40-50% of the managed land area can be native/restored vegetation to conserve biodiversity. (Integration with native vegetation varies by region and management practices, and comprehensive data is limited.)
In Uruguay, all own areas of natural biodiversity are preserved, and a large reserve network has been created.
In Chile, after major fires, trees are being replanted in a more resilient way, including strategically replanning the forest to diversify species and establishing biological corridors for wildlife to move
Also in Chile, innovative forest conservation initiatives are being launched such as native forest restoration in conjunction with universities and scientists, creation of large private parks open to communities, and partnerships with neighbouring state or private conservation areas.

Climate change

Facts about climate change and forests

Climate change is making forests more vulnerable to abiotic and biotic stressors such as wildfire and pests.
Given the rapidly changing environmental conditions and rising demands on forests, more innovation is needed in the forest sector (including technological, social, policy, institutional and financial innovations).
Responsibly managed growing forests absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. One cubic meter of wood stores ca 900 kg of CO2. On average, one tree absorbs therefore ca 25 kg of CO2 per year.
Eucalyptus plantations can sequester up to 50 tons of CO2 per hectare per year, in the very best case even 90 tons. One hectare will have 1000-1200 trees.

Climate change in Nordic forests

Climate change in South American plantations

A tree breeding program and genetic improvement are aiming at adapting to climate change. Eucalyptus varieties more resilient to water stress, pests and fire are continuously being selected.
As a typical Brazilian cultivation cycle is approximately seven years, only one seventh of the planted forest areas are under constant harvest. The other six sevenths of the planted forest areas are, to varying degrees, storing carbon over time and ensuring that this stock remains in the field, i.e. it is constant carbon stock.
Wood plantations are a resilient use of land as they reduce soil erosion, and water use compared to traditional crops and other agriculture.