world news - 19.06.2007
More wood than ever growing in Swedish forests
Swedish forest resources have never before been as big as they are
today. The quantity of timber is more than 3 billion cubic metres, i.e.
circa one billion more than half a century ago, says Mr Peter
Lohmander, professor of forest related business economy.
There have never been better opportunities for increased felling than
today when present growth amounts to circa 106 million cubic metres. In
the 1920s growth was only 60 million cubic metres. Growth in the
Götaland province has been the strongest.
Professor Lohmander refers to statistics made by the Swedish Forest
Agency and to the numerous and thorough investigations of the Swedish
forest reserves made under the auspices of the annual national forest
inventory.
The Swedish Forest Agency has warned that the long term sustainability
of Swedish forestry may be endangered by increased felling. This is
hardly true. There is no reason why forest reserves must continuously
increase so much.
Professor Lohmander says that all parts of the Swedish forest industry
could increase production strongly for several decades. Forest growth
is also beneficial for bio-energy production. It is even possible to
achieve increased long term growth and felling by harvesting today’s
forest with less present growth and to replant faster growing saplings.
See also:
- — County's timber harvest declines
- — Rainforest furniture
- — New species of tree discovered
- — FPA against 'indiscriminate' restrictions on log exports
- — Greenpeace Hails B&Q China for Hardwood Curbs
