The updated FSC forest management standard will take effect at the end of the summer of 2023. The update will change and specify the requirements related to matters such as the number of retention trees and buffer zones around nature sites.
“The current standard has already been in use for more than ten years. The FSC standard has aged quite well, so forest owners don’t need to expect any huge changes,” says Metsä Group’s Sustainability Manager Silja Pitkänen-Arte.
Metsä Group will implement the updated FSC requirements during the autumn.
More emphasis on retention trees
Felling operations in FSC forests must leave at least ten retention trees standing per hectare. Retention trees should mainly be trees that are of particular importance for biodiversity, such as prior retention trees, hollow trees, nesting trees and broadleaved trees. The forest’s main tree species should also be prioritised as retention trees.
The diameter requirement for retention trees is determined based on the forest’s geographical location. The diameter of retention trees must be at least 20 centimetres in Southern Finland and 15 centimetres in Northern Finland. In addition, regeneration felling must leave smaller 10-centimetre retention trees unless the trees being retained are particularly sturdy, at least 30 centimetres in Southern Finland and 25 centimetres in Northern Finland.
“The requirement of additional smaller retention trees is new to the FSC. The idea is to provide smaller retention trees that age and become sturdier over time, providing long-term benefits to biodiversity,” says Pitkänen-Arte.
Metsä Group has previously set a policy stating that it will no longer purchase rarely occurring trees such as sturdy aspen or rarely occurring domestic broadleaved trees such as great sallow, bird cherry, rowan tree and alder.
“These species are particularly suitable retention trees as long as they meet the diameter requirements for retention trees,” says Pitkänen-Arte.
Metsä Group will also continue to make high biodiversity stumps in FSC forests. In doing so, the crown of the tree is left in the forest.
The new FSC standard requires that all dead trees more than ten centimetres in diameter must be left in place. The requirement does not apply to recent forest damage, which must be removed from the forest according to legislation. According to Pitkänen-Arte, the purpose of this change is to increase the amount of decaying wood in forests in commercial use, because decaying wood is important for many forest-dwelling species. Harvesting operations must also avoid damaging both standing and lying decaying wood.
Specified sizes for buffer zones
The update will also bring specifications to the width of buffer zones left around waterways and nature sites. Depending on the site, some buffer zones must be left untouched, while some other sites or parts of buffer zones may allow the use of continuous cover forestry.
“The key is what kinds of shade or moisture content the nature site needs,” says Pitkänen-Arte.
The previous wording regarding “sufficient canopy cover and shading” will be replaced with a specific size requirement.
In future, buffer zones for nature sites such as streams will take into account the natural state of the stream. The use of felling according to continuous cover forestry is allowed in the buffer zones of streams with significantly cleared edges. If a stream is in its natural state or similar to it, it must have an untouched buffer zone and an additional zone with continuous cover forestry.
FSC will continue to require at least five per cent of the forestland to be excluded from use for forestry. A total of ten per cent of the forestland must be subject to limited forestry activities such as continuous cover forestry or felling practices that support biodiversity.
“Nature sites and buffer zones are included in the calculation of the limited-use area,” says Pitkänen-Arte.
Large operators enthusiastic, everyone benefits
In Finland, FSC-certified forests account for a little over ten per cent of the total area of commercial forests. Large forest owners have been the most enthusiastic about joining FSC, but Pitkänen-Arte wants to encourage smaller forest owners to consider FSC’s benefits too.
“For example, the FSC protection requirements may be naturally met through statutory or voluntary protected sites or buffer zones, and you are otherwise free to operate according to good and efficient forest management principles.”
If your own forest does not have valuable nature sites excluded from use for forestry, you can meet the requirement with Metsä Group’s FSC nature site service’s protection of valuable habitats.
The market demand for FSC-certified products is increasing. The ecological requirements of the FSC standard are compensated to the forest owner with a better stumpage price.
“An FSC bonus is paid to the forest owner for each cubic metre of FSC-certified wood sold,” says Pitkänen-Arte.
Do you meet the requirements without even knowing it?
Pitkänen-Arte wants to remind people that many forest owners can quite easily meet the limited use requirements of the FSC standard. For example, the use of continuous cover forestry in peatlands is cost-effective and beneficial for the environment and water protection.
“It’s quite possible that your forest management already meets the FSC requirements, even if your forest isn’t FSC-certified.”
Joining Metsä Group’s FSC group certificate is free of charge for owner-members. If you are interested, Pitkänen-Arte recommends that you contact your forest specialist.
“The forest owner can discuss the matter with their forest specialist and see how well their forest meets the FSC criteria.”
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Text Maria Latokartano
Photo Mika Ankkuri
This article was published in Metsä Group’s Viesti 1/2023.