Continuous cover forestry and its effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services

Clearcutting has long been the dominant forestry method in Sweden and Finland, but is increasingly criticized for its negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Alternative methods, such as gap cutting and selective cutting, leave more trees standing and are discussed today as more sustainable alternatives.

We use unique experimental forests in Sweden and Finland, where data on several taxonomic groups have been collected for more than a decade. We complement with new data on ecosystem services such as berry production, reindeer forage, and forest growth. Using laser scanning, GIS, and machine learning, we also map where in Sweden there are forests that are already suitable for selective cutting today.

More specific research areas

Biodiversity

We study how seven different taxonomic groups — including vascular plants, mosses, lichens, fungi, beetles, birds, and small mammals — are affected by gap cutting and selective cutting. This gives a broad picture of which species are favored or disadvantaged under different forestry systems.

Ecosystem services

Beyond timber, forests provide berries, reindeer forage, climate regulation, and natural pest control. We investigate how these services — and possible “disservices” such as storm or insect damage — are influenced by continuous cover forestry compared to clearcutting.

Availability of selective-cut forests

Selective cutting requires multi-layered forests, which are uncommon in today’s even-aged forest landscape. By combining data from laser scanning and machine learning, we map how much of Sweden’s forests are currently suitable and accessible for selective cutting.

Collaboration and benefits

The project is a collaboration between SLU, Uppsala University, and the Finnish Natural Resources Institute (LUKE). We work closely with forest companies, authorities, environmental NGOs, and certification bodies (FSC) to ensure that results are relevant to both practice and policy.

By producing new scientific knowledge, the project contributes directly to Swedish and European goals for sustainable forestry and biodiversity conservation. The results will be important in the ongoing debate about the future of forests and for developing practical strategies that combine wood production with long-term ecosystem sustainability.