>> Background information

Development

The amount of dead wood had not been measured extensively in Finland until the 9th National Forest Inventory (NFI9) during 1996–2003. It is safe to say, however, that the volumes of dead wood in forests today are only fractions of their amounts in early 1950s, for instance. Since the 1950s, there has been an increasing need for large amounts of wood in forest industry. Harvesting of wood has also become more profitable all over the country after the construction of extensive forest road network. The aim of modern forest management practices has been to reduce tree mortality in commercial forests. The amount of dead wood decreases especially when regular thinnings are conducted, but also as a result of soil preparation and artificial regeneration.

The latest National Forest Inventory (NFI10) was carried out during 2004–2008. The total amount of dead wood has increased in southern Finland when compared to previous inventory. The amount has increased somewhat in both protected and commercial forests. The amount of dead standing trees has increased relatively more than ground wood. Dead wood is a lot more abundant in northern Finland. Its volume seems, however, to have decreased between the two inventories. The volume of dead ground wood has decreased the most.

Importance of dead wood