In 2050, the trees in Finnish forests are healthy and grow well. In our rapidly warming climate, our forests remain vibrant thanks to large-scale national adaptation measures. While spruce damage occurs locally, more extensive damage has been avoided thanks to active efforts.
Forest management aiming to diversify native tree species and increase the amount of decaying wood has improved our forests’ resilience to hot dry summers. Midway through the century, the increased number of species has led to more competition among them, and predators and parasites living in decaying wood also attack bark beetles.
Come 2050, the steady stream of alien species arriving in Finland from the south has further accelerated. In forestry areas, new species are most common in open clearings and the forest road network. The Bombus schrencki bumblebee, by now a common species, provides polluter services, while great white egrets stand out in grey heron colonies. Small firecrests introduce brisk energy from Central Europe to our forests. Year by year, the Mycetinis querceus faces a tougher rotting task, as oak trees increase their annual output of forest litter.
Forest management practices strengthen the state of nature
Bioproduct mills run free of waste and fossil fuels and are self-sufficient in electricity. Finnish mixed forests produce a wide range of wood grades used for purposes such as hygiene products, pharmaceuticals, packaging materials, construction wood and panels, clothes, furniture, and dishware. The global carbon storage in products made from wood continues to grow, playing a key role in international forestry efforts to mitigate climate change.
The forestry sector making industrial use of native tree species now employs measurably improved practices that strengthen the state of nature. The number of species is increasing in areas allocated to wood production. The best practices in terms of nature have gone mainstream. An extensive network of protected areas and the effective protection of key biotopes provide a safe operating environment in forestry areas. The number of threatened species has decreased, and the Red List of species under threat is now thinner than before.
The ecosystem services provided by nature are managed strategically and comprehensively as national natural assets. Nature compensation schemes have succeeded in blocking operators devising plots at the expense of nature.
In the face of shared environmental impacts, common environmental targets have been created for agriculture and forestry. Next-generation sustainability standards tell consumers about the verified impacts of production, not just about the restrictions and guidelines for production methods.
The 2050 bioeconomy strategy treats the bioeconomy as a business based on ecosystem services, recognising that success comes from the identification of both risks and opportunities. A common core has been established for the numerous parallel and competing natural resources strategies of different ministries. This creates synergy and cooperation. Money is saved, and nature is doing better than today.
Respect for nature lies at the core of forest debate
In many indicators, 25 years is a very long timespan, and in many others, it is very short. In the long rotation of northern forestry, a period of 25 years represents the famous forestry professional’s quarter.
The ability to grasp the big picture, look forward, keep clear of the wrong old habits and seek solutions proactively, boldly and agilely creates success and competitiveness. In both the environment and the business environment’s boundary conditions, we are at a point where only the most proficient change management can create success – ultimately according to traditional economic indicators as well.
As well as this, we can together learn to live appropriately. In 2050, we will be guided by planetary education. Successful diverse teams know how nature works, how the economy functions, and how people think. As its pillars, planetary education recognises the fundamental value of and respect for humans and nature. By respecting nature, we also respect one another in our forest discussions, as people are part of nature.