The potential of continuous cover forestry in the Nordic countries

Continuous cover forestry (CCF) offers opportunities to promote sustainable forest management and restoration, especially in northern forest regions. We have conducted long-term research on continuous cover forestry methods in Finland and produced valuable insights into their benefits and challenges.

Continuous cover forestry refers to a set of silvicultural methods characterized by the absence of clear-cutting. Instead, trees are selectively removed, maintaining continuous canopy cover and a multi-layered forest structure.

We published a joint Nordic book on continuous cover forestry along with policy briefs to address the information needs on the topic. Compared to traditional rotation forestry, continuous cover forestry can enhance biodiversity, recreational value, and scenic qualities of forests.

CCF can also be economically viable under certain conditions. However, its successful implementation requires careful planning, consideration of stand characteristics, and updated guidance for forest owners.

One of the key challenges in continuous cover forestry is ensuring sufficient natural regeneration. The method is not suitable for all conditions, and the best outcomes in sustainable forestry are achieved by choosing the most appropriate management approach based on site-specific characteristics.

Further research is needed on the long-term impacts of CCF, including forest regeneration and growth, genetic diversity, and susceptibility to damage. In the future, forest management will require the use of diverse methods. Combining different silvicultural approaches can help safeguard the ecological values of production forests and support their multifunctional use.