New study shows what Swedes consider most important about their forests
It is easy to think that tree species, age, and lushness determine how we experience a forest. But more important than the forest’s composition is its accessibility. This is shown in a new study from SLU.
In a survey study, Victor Göransson, a doctoral student at SLU, examined what aspects of forests influence how people perceive them. The results indicate that it is not primarily the forest’s characteristics that determine people’s perceptions – but how the forest can be used.
– The most decisive factor in how people evaluate a forest is whether there are paths. Accessibility weighs more heavily than classic forestry variables such as tree species, age, and diversity. If there is no path, it practically matters less how beautiful the forest is, says Victor Göransson.
Another conclusion is that visible management interventions have a negative effect.
– If there are traces of machinery or other human impact, it disrupts the experience. The results also show that clear-cuts, as well as young, dense stands, are perceived as less attractive than traditional, mature forests.
The study was conducted in four cities from northern to southern Sweden.
– We thought there might be certain regional preferences, for example that respondents in the north would prefer pine forests to a greater extent than those in the south. But we did not see any such results.
The study also showed no significant differences related to the respondents’ age, gender, or level of education. However, it did find that people with a high degree of Nature Connectedness – that is, a strong sense of belonging with nature – tend to perceive all types of forests more positively.
What conclusions do you draw from the results?
– We are becoming more urban and, to some extent, are asking for more curated nature experiences. Rather than walking straight into the forest to pick berries or mushrooms, we now move along marked trails and planned routes, says Victor Göransson, adding:
– For municipalities and other landowners, it is important to understand how fundamental accessibility is. It is not enough for a forest to have high natural values if people feel they cannot move around in it, for example if there are large amounts of dead wood. At the same time, there is a balance in how forests are managed: measures that improve accessibility can enhance the experience, but they can also make it worse if they become too visible.
Contact
Victor Göransson, victor.goransson@slu.se, +46 90 786 82 26z
About the study
The study was conducted in spring 2025 in Umeå, Västerås, Gothenburg, and Växjö.
1,500 respondents watched video clips of different forest environments and then answered a number of questions.
The purpose was to investigate how urban residents perceive different types of forests in relation to aesthetics and suitability for recreation – and how these perceptions are connected to Nature Connectedness. Nature Connectedness is a concept that describes individuals’ emotional relationship with nature.
Using panoramic videos, the researchers hope – unlike many similar studies that have used still images – to create a stronger sense of real presence in the forest.
By understanding the preferences of those who live in cities, researchers gain insight into the management of the forests that are most visited – namely those close to urban areas.
The study – Influence from forest parameters, physical attributes, individuals’ Nature Connectedness on perceived recreational forest values - Evidence from a Swedish survey of urban residents – is expected to be published this autumn.
Contact
-
SLU Urban Futures