A new proposal in Finland aims to set age criteria for protecting old forests. Coniferous forests in the southern and middle boreal zones must be at least 140 years old, while deciduous forests must be 100 years old. In the northern zone, coniferous forests should be 160-200 years old and deciduous forests 140 years old. The criteria also include specific requirements for decayed wood per hectare.
The proposal has sparked criticism from opposition lawmakers and environmental organizations who argue that it will not effectively protect forests in southern Finland. The decision to adopt stricter criteria, ignoring science-based recommendations, has raised concerns about biodiversity loss and forest degradation.
Despite efforts to protect state-owned forests, concerns remain about the limited scope of protection in commercially valuable regions. The debate over old forest criteria highlights the challenges of balancing conservation with economic interests in Finland’s forestry sector.
As the public comment period continues, the future of Finland’s old forests remains uncertain, with stakeholders calling for science-based solutions to preserve biodiversity and natural habitats.