Landscape planning of the forest – for biological diversity and a varied forestry
About this report
The research program has investigated questions about landscape planning of forests to promote biodiversity and varied forestry. An overall conclusion is that landscape planning promotes the achievement of the Swedish Parliament’s environmental objective “Living forests”.
The programme studied three Swedish forest landscapes. 16 species, listed in the EU nature conservation directives, were used as indicators. Landscape data were collected from landowner forestry planning and from available GIS layers. The Zonation program identified the areas that best matched the species requirements and the areas were then sorted by priority. Subsequently, different forest management options were identified for the respective areas, taking into account habitat connectivity. The example shows how a planning basis can be produced.
In order to resolve deficiencies in current forest management, landscape planning should be integrated into the legal system. Judicial landscape planning can serve as a preventive model, which the European Commission has recommended in order to overcome conflicts between species protection and forestry as well as to improve predictability. The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) in the United States shows how issues of adaptability, knowledge base and participation in such planning can be addressed. The NFMA may in several aspects serve as a guide in a Swedish legislative work with landscape planning.