Ekoskog has developed a definition of what we mean by ecologically sustainable forestry. When following our standard for how this can be achievedthe resulting forestry will be what we call ecological. Or, in short, Ecoforestry.
Far too many forest species have disappeared from forests all over the world, so also in Sweden. The forest's role as a carbon sink is being dramatically reduced by clear cuts. There is an urgent need for new, modern forestry methods in which climate effects, biodiversity, recreation and the production of quality timber for long-lived products are in focus. And at the same time increase the income from the forest for the landowners.
According to the EU Forest Strategy 2030, there is an urgent need for a transition to such forestry practices, in light of climate change and biodiversity loss, and for strengthening the resilience of EU forests (EU 2021a). Ecological forestry is one of many measures which the strategy calls for in its support of sustainable forest management, defined as “the stewardship and use of forests and forest lands in such a way, and at a rate, that maintain their biodiversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, vitality and their potential to fulfil, now and in the future, relevant ecological, economic and social functions, at local, national and global levels, without causing damage to other ecosystems”.
The EU Nature Restoration Law (EU 2024) translates the forest strategy into required actions that are legally binding for member countries. The prevailing model of forestry in Sweden today – clear-cutting forestry with repeated cycles of planting, thinning and final felling/clear-cutting – creates forests that are clearly in need of restoration according to the Restoration Law.
Felling of forests through clear-cutting has a negative impact on almost 2,000 red-listed species in Sweden. The number of forest-dwelling, red-listed species has not changed significantly since the turn of the century (Gärdenfors 2000).
The Swedish Forestry Act, which regulates the management of forests and forest land, has had two equal priority objectives since 1993: a production objective and an environmental objective. According to the latter: “biodiversity and genetic variation in the forest shall be safeguarded. The forest shall be managed so that plant and animal species that naturally belong in the forest are given the opportunity to survive under natural conditions and in viable populations.” It is clear that the environmental objective has not been achieved and that development is heading in the wrong direction. Similarly, the certification systems for forestry that have applied in Sweden since the 1990s and which today cover almost 70 percent of the country’s productive forest area, have not succeeded in reversing the negative trends.
In other words, forestry policy and the industry have had 30 years to align forestry with reasonable requirements for sustainability and care of the environment. They have failed. The transition to ecological forestry can help meet both established national targets and the new EU requirements. Moreover, and more importantly, it offers an opportunity to restore and maintain healthy forest ecosystems within the framework of timber-producing forestry.
About us
Ekoskog is a non-profit member association, a NGO, with the goal of supporting and developing ecologically sustainable forestry and in order to do so, creating a certification of clear-cut free, continuous cover forestry and labelling of products from these certified forests. The interest in new, more gentle forestry methods and forestry without clear cuts is increasing, both from landowners, service producers in the tourism industry, authorities and consumers. A labelling system for products from ecological forestry gives consumers the opportunity to make a more sustainable choice, and landowners and producers will thereby strengthen the economic value of their products.
Through education, communication and our certification Ekoskog will promote sustainable forestry, based on modern ecological research. We are or have been supported by the Swedish Institute, the European Climate Foundation, the Swedish Postcode Foundation, the Baltic Sea Action Plan Fund, the Allmänna Arvsfonden and the Swedish Forest Agency. And our members.
