Forests and carbon sequestration. The "Forests and Carbon Sequestration" site provides information on the forest carbon cycle and its development at the stand and national levels. You can examine the current state, future, and structure of an old, unmanaged forest stand from the graphs on the board, as well as by walking to the site.
The importance of deadwood for forest species. Old-growth forests are rich in species. This is partly explained by the abundance of dead trees. A quarter of Finnish species and nearly half of endangered species are dependent on deadwood. Efforts are being made to increase deadwood in commercial forests through retention trees and artificial snags. Detour along the path to an old-growth forest, which is close to its natural state. You can get more information about the connection between deadwood and biodiversity through an animation.
Multi-objective silviculture. Finland's diverse and abundant forest resources are the basis for the sustainable utilization of forests. With changes in the operating environment of the forest sector, the objectives for forest management are diversifying, and options are increasing. Forests produce wood for industrial raw materials, sequester and store carbon, and provide habitats for species and recreational opportunities for people. More information can be found on the site's boards and in the observation area behind the boards.
Carbon stocks in forests
The capacity of forests to sequester and store carbon varies according to the forest's development stage
Carbon sequestration (carbon sink) is strongest in well-managed and fast-growing youngforests. Carbon has mostly been stored in mature forests, where growth has already slowed down. In Finland, about 3 300 million tonnes of CO₂ eq. have been sequestered in tree biomass. In Finland, soil carbon storage is estimated to be around 14 000 million tonnes of CO₂ eq. The majority of this is in peat soils.
Carbon cycle and forest carbon balance
Development of an unmanaged stand
This stand on a Vaccinium myrtillus type heath forest (MT) was established in 1898 by sowing Scots pine and Norway spruce seeds on clear-cut and burned land (kaski). The area was cleared in 1909 and pruned in 1936. The experiment was established in 1924, after which it has not been thinned.
Summary form of stand measurement results from the early 20th century
Development of total growing stock production, removal, and volume over a 98-year measurement period.
Development of carbon stock
This stand on a Vaccinium myrtillus type heath forest (MT) was established in 1898 by sowing Scots pine and Norway spruce seeds on clear-cut and burned land (kaski). The area was cleared in 1909 and pruned in 1936. The experiment was established in 1924, after which it has not been thinned.
Live tree carbon stock: Development calculated from repeated stand measurements from 1951 to 2023 and predicted development for 2028 and 2033. Dead tree carbon stock: Carbon stock measured in 2023 and forecast for 2028-2033. Forest soil carbon stock: Total carbon stock of forest soil humus and mineral soil layers measured in 2023. Development forecasts were produced using Luke's Motti software.
What is a carbon sink?
Learn the vocabulary related to greenhouse gases and the land use sector
Greenhouse gases are atmospheric gases that contribute to climate change. The greenhouse gases in the agricultural and LULUCF sectors are carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and dinitrogen oxide, also called nitrous oxide (N₂O). LULUCF stands for Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry. Emissions data exclude carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOX). The most significant anthropogenic greenhouse gasby volume is carbon dioxide, most of which is produced by burning fossil fuels.
A sink (Carbon sink) is a process, activity or mechanism that sequesters a greenhouse gas or its precursor from the atmosphere. The term net sink is used to indicate that the estimate is the sum of emissions
and removals.
Source means a process, activity or mechanism that releases a greenhouse gas or its precursor into the atmosphere.
Removal refers to the removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere by sinks. The removals have a negative sign (-).
Emission refers to greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere from greenhouse gas sources. Emissions have a positive sign (+). Emissions are usually expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents CO2 eq. for example through soil respiration.
Emissions are generated during industrial processes, heating of buildings, transport, agriculture and waste processing.
Forests also release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, for example through logging and natural thinning.
Biodiversity in our forests
Biodiversity, also known as biological diversity or the variety of life, refers to the biological variation in nature, such as the abundance of species, genetic variation within species, and the diversity of habitats. Biodiversity is a prerequisite for the ecosystem services provided by nature and for nature's ability to adapt to environmental changes. Clean water and air, pollination, and the availability of raw materials and nutrients are linked to biodiversity.
Approximately 50,000 species live in Finland, over 20,000 of which are in forests. Forest species are influenced by, among other things, the forest's developmental stage, forest type, and climatic conditions, but also by human activity.
Species endangerment in Finland. In Finland, one in nine species is endangered. About a third of these (833 species) primarily live in forests. Forest management and, increasingly, climate change have contributed to the endangerment of forest species. Efforts have been made to address endangerment and the decline of biodiversity through regulation and new operating methods, and for some species, the situation has improved.
How can the loss of biodiversity be stopped? In forests, species endangerment can be influenced by improving habitats through nature management, such as controlled forest fires, preventing spruce encroachment, and restoring habitats. Additionally, the amount of deadwood can be increased, and forest management methods that mimic natural development, such as uneven-aged forest management, can be used. A comprehensive network of protected areas is also an effective way to secure species' habitats.
The importance of deadwood for forest species. Old-growth forests are rich in species. This is partly explained by the abundance of dead trees. A quarter of Finnish species and almost half of endangered species are dependent on deadwood. Efforts are being made to increase deadwood in commercial forests through retention trees and artificial snags. Detour along the path to the biodiversity site, which is close to its natural state. You can also get more information about the connection between deadwood and biodiversity through an animation.
Annual growth and removal of growing stock
During the 100-year history of the National Forest Inventory (NFI), the volume of growing stock and the carbon stock bound to it have increased by approximately 70%, and the annual growth of growing stock has more than doubled.
Over the past 100 years, old-growth forests have increased in Southern Finland and decreased in Northern Finland.
The development of structural features important for forest biodiversity has been positive since nature management became part of forestry in the 1990s.
Growing stock volume on forest and scrubland
What measures can be taken to manage carbon sinks?
Effective measures are needed to ensure the sustainability of forest use. Growth must be increased when aiming to maintain current timber production levels and enhance carbon sequestration. Growth and carbon sequestration can be increased by:
- genetically improved seed and seedling material
- rapid regeneration
- selecting tree species suitable for the site
- timely seedling stand management
- fertilization
- growing larger diameter trees
Ensuring forest growth and vitality requires tree species and forest management methods suitable for the site. Silvicultural thinnings direct growth to well-growing trees. However, overly strong thinnings, especially in pine stands, should be avoided.
The adaptability of forests to changing conditions can be increased by diversifying forest management and tree species composition, increasing the proportion of deciduous trees, enhancing biodiversity, and using adaptable planting material. In high-risk areas, avoiding damage risks and repairing damage are essential in forest management.
Target information
ETRS89
61° 48’ 50”N and 29° 19’ 43”E
Altitude above sea level 82.5 m
This stand on a Vaccinium myrtillus type heath forest (MT) was established in 1898 by sowing Scots pine and Norway spruce seeds on clear-cut and burned land (kaski). The area was cleared in 1909 and pruned in 1936. The experiment was established in 1924, after which it has not been thinned.
Target characteristics (measurement year 2022):
