Members of Swedish forestry co-operative Södra with certified woodland allocate average of 8% of area for nature conservation, analysis finds; chief forester estimates value of voluntary allocations at up to 20B Swedish kronor

Wendy Lisney

VÄXJÖ, Sweden , May 27, 2014 (press release) – Södra's certified members are to allocate an average of eight per cent of their woodland area for nature conservation, an area which corresponds in size to 200,000 football pitches. The equivalent total value could be as much as 20 billion SEK.

This is based on an analysis of the green forest-management plans of Södra's certified members, carried out by Södra. Södra believes that the voluntary allocation of productive woodland is of great importance if the targets of the national environmental initiative "Living Forests" are to be reached.

"The voluntary allocations made by Södra's members amount to a total value of between 12 and 20 billion SEK," said Göran Örlander, Chief Forester at Södra.

The allocated areas consist primarily of clear-cut forests and older forests. At least 85 per cent of the NO-area and almost 70 per cent of the NS-area are included in this category. NO stands for natural conservation areas which are to be left untouched, whilst NS refers to natural conservation areas which require some care.

Viewed in the context of the clear-cut-ready forest in its entirety, NO/NS areas combined constitute 19 per cent. In conjunction with the felling in production forests, consideration will be shown to various aspects with natural value such as dead wood, old trees and valuable ecosystems.

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.