- hot-spots
- deforestation
- Sweden
- Deforestation in Sweden
Problems
Deforestation in Sweden
Sweden has a gigantic forest industry. Its national forestry agency claims that Sweden's forest sector is the most sustainable in the world. However, the truth is that the industry depends heavily on the clear-cutting of natural forests, many of which are quite old, and the planting of monocultures of coniferous species, some of which are not native. "Only 3% of Sweden's forestry does not involve clear-cutting. That must be pretty shocking to anyone who hears this, given Sweden's reputation as a leader in so-called green practices," two leading conservation photographers told a wide-ranging interview. Part of the reason for this is the Swedish forestry model, which allows companies to control their practices to ensure good environmental and social outcomes, which in most cases is not the case.
What is the rate of deforestation in Sweden?
Each year about 1 percent of Sweden's forests are cut down, mostly in the northern part of the country. According to Global Forest Watch, From 2001 to 2021, Sweden lost 5.17Mha of tree cover, equivalent to a 19% decrease in tree cover since 2000. This area is larger than Denmark's.
Effects of deforestation on flora and fauna in Sweden
True forests are complex ecosystems, the foundation of many life forms, and home to many species. The forest ecosystem has changed so much that even reindeer, which have learned to survive on these lands since the Ice Age, cannot live in the landscape that this type of forest creates. Ancient trees are a vital host for lichens, the main food source for reindeer. In the last 60 years, more than 70% of the lichen-rich forests in Sweden have disappeared. This greatly affects the Sámi people in northern Sweden. Their culture and livelihood are closely linked to the reindeer, which depend on lichens for survival. Deforested areas can be seen along the E14 highway near the northernmost town of Jokkmokk.
The Swedish model of forestry
The Swedish approach is both destructive and murderously simple: forests are managed like farmland. Whatever is available is harvested, the soil is plowed and new trees are planted in the hope of repeating the cycle. Since the goal of forestry in Sweden is to produce large volumes of relatively low-quality wood, these plantations are quite efficient, provided they survive to harvest age. This is not a given, as coniferous monocultures are very susceptible to bark beetle attacks, elk eating, fungal infestations, droughts, storms, and fires. The loss of ancient forests worries many locals, including those involved in nature tourism. It will be the end for both tourism and local communities. Public pressure is growing to protect southern Sweden's state forests, which make up about a fifth of the country's total area.
Gallery
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Timelines
2023
March 01
Sweden has come under fire from critics calling out the country’s unsustainable forest-based industry. Despite being a strong backer of the EU’s green policies, Sweden has been criticized for having a climate-damaging approach to cutting down trees. Forests cover 70 percent of the country, but Swedish MEPs maintain that’s no reason for the country to offset other nations’ high emissions. The country’s policymakers have told the European Commission that they should not interfere with Sweden’s forest management. As well as pushing for more ambitious policies on climate change across the continent, it has pledged to be climate neutral by 2045, five years earlier than the goal set for the whole of the EU. Sweden’s expanse of forests - one of Europe’s biggest carbon sinks - is a key factor enabling it to be a climate-friendly country. Green activists have also expressed concern that Sweden’s new conservative government coalition will step down the country’s climate goals. “Tragically Sweden is a country that has a history of being at the forefront when it comes to climate, environment, and now, during these very important six months, is having a right-wing government that definitely will not prioritize climate,” Green MEP Pär Holmgren told Politico. Greta Thunberg, together with fellow Swedish climate activists, recently sued their country for failing to take action on climate change.
2022
September 07
At least 394 forest species are severely harmed by logging, according to a report by the Swedish Agricultural University commissioned by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The report estimated how many of the country's 999 endangered forest species were affected by clear-cutting. It found that 373 species of fungi, 208 species of beetles, 208 lichens, and 75 butterflies were adversely affected.
June 01
In response to criticism from environmental activists and calls by the European Union to halt massive deforestation due to the accumulation of a "carbon debt" by EU countries, Swedish manufacturers of wood and pulp products have commissioned a study comparing the effect of cutting and preserving trees in natural areas. According to the report, industrial destruction of forests has much less impact on nature than the use of plastic materials instead of wood. In addition, the best solution for the climate is not a ban on cutting, but replacing old trees with young ones, because dying trees do not absorb, but release carbon into the atmosphere. Elin Gotmark, a representative of Protect the Forest, a Swedish non-governmental organization, disagrees with the arguments of forest industry entrepreneurs and believes that trees need time to grow again, and soil needs time to accumulate carbon again. Forestry "reduces the total amount of carbon in terrestrial ecosystems," Gottmark stressed.
2021
October 06
EU Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius, in an interview with the Swedish TV channel SVT, criticized Sweden for the practice of clear-cutting in the country. According to the European Commission, clear-cutting directly harms species' biodiversity. In particular, a recent study published in the journal Nature found that deforestation in Europe increased 49 percent from 2016 to 2018 compared to 2011 and 2015. The country that accounts for the largest share of deforestation in Europe is Sweden, with 27% of all deforestation taking place there.
2014
January 08
The National Forest Program was created to improve forest policy implementation and public involvement.
2013
May 23
Sweden's Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Strategy was developed in response to increasing deforestation.
2011
April 12
SFA issued regulations and advice on how forest owners should responsibly manage their forests, but it had little impact. Deforestation continued at a rapid pace anyway.
2010
February 03
More than a third of the trees felled did not meet the requirements of the Swedish Forest Act. This voluntary system has been heavily criticized by environmentalists around the world.