Conflicting views about the use of the forest resources in northern Europe

Risto Kalliola

Department of Geography, University of Turku, FIN-20014 Turku, Finland

Forests constitute one of the most valuable natural resources of northern Europe. Timber has been used for a number of different purposes during millennia, and in the modern Europe the forest industry cluster plays a crucial role in the national economy of several northern countries.

The use and management of the forests have both intensified considerably and fluctuated between different techniques during the 20th century in all countries where forest industries play a vital role. During the most recent years, biodiversity topics have gained a central role in the discussion concerning the correctness of the adopted practices. Depending on the interest group in question, regional, national, European or global dimensions are stressed, both in scientific discussion and in political and economical debate.

An effort is made here to identify some relevant interest groups and their argumentation on northern forest use and management topics. The analysis is based on the identification of economically driven, conservation oriented, ethical and social approaches that relate to the forest resource in both a European context and with special reference to the countries of Finland and Russia. A few alternative scenarios are outlined to illustrate some possible outcomes of the northern European forest policies after a few decades.