FORESTS IN FINLAND, FORESTS IN EUROPE 
In Finland the obligation to regenerate the forest after final wood cuttings has been since the beginning of 1900 and remains to this day the basic principle of the law. The Government encourages forest owners to use good silvicultural practices in the management of their forests. State subsidies are available for safeguarding sustainable wood production, maintenance of forest biodiversity and improvement of the health of forests.
Forest thinning in Finland (Metla/Erkki Oksanen)
Collecting mushrooms and berries for private consumption is common in Finland (Metla/Erkki Oksanen)
Wooden construction. Metla House in Joensuu, Finland. (Metla/Erkki Oksanen)
The industrial use of forests for sawn timber and paper products began in the late 19th century. Nowadays forestry and forest industries account for approximately 6 % of the Gross National Product. Relative to its size, Finland is more dependent on forests and the forest industry than any other country in the world. As a consequence, Finland has accumulated an expertise in forestry and industrial manufacturing of forest products that is unique in Europe.
The importance of forestry and forest industry as a source of employment continues to be an important factor in maintaining the vitality of rural areas and regional economy. In 2009 forestry and forest industry employed about 3 percent of all employed people in the Finnish national economy, three fourths of whom work for the forest industry.
Forest-related services and the use and maintenance of non-wood products are a natural component of forest management in Finland. Everyman’s Right gives universal right and opportunity to use forests for recreation, outdoor activities and collecting berries and mushrooms, insofar as this causes no damage or disturbance.
One of the future challenges of Finland’s forest ecosystems is climate change. According to latest studies the annual mean temperature is predicted to increase by 2–6 degrees by the end of 2100. Expected effects on forests are for example: growing season likely to lengthen; forest growth may increase; wind damage and insect will become more prevalent. Good and timely forest management is the main way of improving the ability of forests to adapt to climate change. In Finland strong emphasis has been put on the mitigation of climate change by promoting the use of wood. These actions include the increased use of wooden construction and wood-based bioenergy. In 2009 wood-based fuels provided 21% of Finland’s total energy consumption; one of the highest figures within the EU 27.
