Transition pathways towards clearcut-free forest management alternatives: opportunities and challenges for different forest owner categories

Policies emphasize the multifunctional role of forests. This requires a diversity of forest management methods. However, even-aged rotation forestry is the norm in Sweden.

This project will improve understanding of the motivations and experiences of different forest owner categories for alternative management methods. This knowledge will enhance the potential of “clearcut-free” methods to support forest multifunctionality.

We apply a social-ecological systems approach with three main methodologies:1) Qualitative system dynamics to analyse the perspectives of industrial, non-industrial and municipal forest owners on “clearcut-free” methods in Sweden.

We will collect data through interviews and interactive workshops at multiple levels.2) A meta-analysis of research based on established review protocols to identify impacts, including synergies and trade-offs, of clearcut vs. “clearcut-free” methods on production capacity, viable populations of species, and social values.3) A spatial analyses to understand the key resources influencing “clearcut-free” initiatives, to assess consequences of “clearcut-free” methods on the ground, and to facilitate scaling up across regions.Results are based on causal models and spatial maps.

Communication includes a focus on education programs for timber buyers and companies that train forest owners in "clearcut-free" methods in Sweden and Finland, which has an intensive forest sector but a longer history of encouraging “clearcut-free” methods.