• The forest in images
  • Myths and misconceptions
  • Here’s how you can contribute
  • SE | EN
  • The forest in images
    • Before and after clearcutting
    • A butchered landscape
    • Forests store plenty of carbon
    • Only a fraction is protected
  • Myths and misconceptions
  • Here’s how you can contribute
  • About Forestinsight
  • Interesting links
  • SE | EN

Before and after clearcutting

Each year, about 1% of Swedish forests are being cut down. In the case of felling, however, it is not just the trees that get removed. Many of the species that thrive in the forest also disappear. Therefore, it is crucial to protect a larger proportion of old-growth forests and to take more consideration so that vulnerable species can have a chance to survive and move about in the forest landscape. But how does this work in reality?

A butchered landscape

In connection with felling, a myriad of small roads must be built to facilitate forest machines and transports. Unfortunately, these roads also become barriers for certain species that get isolated in areas that are too small for them, eventually leading to their extinction. In Sweden alone, these roads extend 200,000 km. It's as much as five laps around our planet. Take a look!

Forests store plenty of carbon

When forests are felled, carbon dioxide is released, which drives the greenhouse effect. This can be counteracted by phasing out clearcutting as a logging method, by generally reducing logging and instead letting forests increase their carbon content in both biomass and soils. And the difference is substantial. Here you can see examples of the potential our forests have to sequester carbon dioxide and thereby fight climate change.

Only a fraction is protected

Swedish county authorities protect selected forest areas and prevent them from being exploited and clear-cut. However, only about 6% of the productive forest land is formally protected like this. That's just a fraction of what should be protected. And special consideration should be given to the old-growth forests.
About Forestinsight (Skogsinsikt)

Forestinsight want to show the present state of the Swedish forest and why it is so important to protect our rapidly disappearing old-growth forests.

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The forest in images
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