Sustainability

Ecosystems

Taiga

Forest preservation

Human intervention alters the natural replenishing cycles of the forest and its structure and composition in terms of species. Although the forest surface has increased during the 20th century, natural forests have shrunk. If a forest is used to make timber, pride of place is generally given to one species only (often Scots pine or red fir in Finland), while the others tend to be removed. In addition, the life of the trees is shortened by regular falling and dead wood is removed. This produces a forest, which tends to have one species of trees of the same age, remarkably younger than those of natural forests. Nevertheless, reforestation reduces the impact of the timber-related industries and protects other natural forests, and favourably affects the climate, water system, water cycle and the quality of life in general.