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Forest protection 1.1.2016

Published 15.9.2016
  • Finland has a total of 2,7 million hectares of protected forests (of which 1,6 million ha forest land), i.e. 12,0 per cent of the total area of forest land and poorly productive forest land (7,7 % of forest land area). Protected forests consist of forests in statutory protected areas and biodiversity conservation sites in commercial forests.
  • Forests in statutory protected areas amount to 2,4 million hectares of which 1,3 million ha forest land (6,6 % of forest land and 10,6 % of the total area of forest land and poorly productive forest land) and biodiversity conservation sites in commercial forests to 0,3 million hectares (1,5 %); of which 0,2 million hectares (1,1%) forest land.
  • The majority of Finland’s protected forests are found in the north (Lapland, Kainuu, North Ostrobothnia), where they amount to 2,2 million hectares, or 19,4 per cent of forest land and poorly productive forest land. There are 0,5 million hectares of protected forests in Southern Finland, which account for 4,8 per cent of forest land and poorly productive forest land.
  • Protected areas account for 4,5 million hectares, or 17,2 per cent, of the total area of forestry land in Finland (including not just forest land and poorly productive forest land but also unproductive land and other forestry land). Forests in statutory protected areas amount to 4,0 million hectares (15,4 % of the total area of forestry land) and biodiversity conservation sites in commercial forests to 0,5 million hectares (1,8 %).
  • Protected forest areas are complemented by forests in recreational and other special areas that are managed taking nature values into account. These areas cover about 0,5 million hectares.

    Press release here

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