Carbon sink volumes are decreasing in Europe, as evidenced by numerous studies. However, a Finnish forest management expert explains that this is no basis for restricting forestry. According to calculations, forests and wood products offset approximately 10% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union.
“Natural carbon sinks have become ‘more vulnerable’; climate change is affecting terrestrial and ocean absorbers. Fossil fuel emissions must be reduced radically, rather than relying on natural absorbers alone,” Philippe Ciais (Philippe Ciais) and Werner L. Kutsch (Werner L. Kutsch) wrote in the first issue of the European greenhouse gas bulletin Fluxes* (European Greenhouse Gas Bulletin) prepared by ICOS last autumn. In Finland, one of the most forested countries in Europe, a report was also recently produced stating that the country’s carbon sequestration has decreased significantly compared to previous levels. This is linked both to higher volumes of timber harvesting and a slowdown in forest growth rates.
Markku Remes (Markku Remes), a senior forest management expert at the Finnish Forest Centre, has many solutions for how to respond to the challenge facing the Finnish forest sector, which stems from a report published in December by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke).
To change the situation, Markku Remes recommends investing in forest management.
“Quality forest regeneration, timely thinning of young stands, and soil enrichment to ensure tree health,” Markku Remes lists the necessary work. Improving forest soil has been proposed before. “To protect carbon sinks, it is important to be able to use ash for fertilisation, as well as to increase fertilisation volumes to boost forest growth in specific areas,” emphasises M. Remes.
Forests continue to absorb large amounts of carbon
According to the Luke report, Finnish forests still act as carbon sinks. However, given the drop in sequestration volumes, forests no longer offset carbon emissions from land used for other purposes. M. Remes would like to highlight some more traditional forest management methods.
“The best way to improve carbon sequestration is to take into account the specific (distinct) conditions of each forest stand,” says Markku Remes. For example, by considering the conditions of each site, suitable tree species should be chosen so that the new stand develops well. About a quarter of Finnish forests grow on peatlands. These soils have become a topic of discussion since Luke reported that carbon dioxide emissions from drained peatlands are increasing. M. Remes points out that, in the future, natural forest regeneration methods will be used more in peatlands.
Finland's forests are ageing
A major factor slowing down forest growth is the fact that pine forests in northern Finland are ageing. M. Remes explains that this situation cannot be changed quickly.
“The decline in growth due to the age structure will likely continue in the future. For the growth rate to improve significantly, it would be necessary for the length of the growing season, cumulative temperature, and precipitation to change quite substantially and favourably, which is unlikely,” says M. Remes. He does not support restricting forestry in commercial forests.
“Wood products obtained from forests are very important for replacing fossil raw materials, which is why restricting forestry is not sustainable for mitigating climate change. For example, in the near future, we must carry out many first-time thinnings,” explains Markku Remes. In Finland, four trees are planted for every one that is felled.
Political dispute over forests
Before the latest carbon sequestration calculations, Luke changed the methods used in its calculations, resulting in an increase in the estimated soil emissions from forest land, thereby reducing the net sequestration figure. The most important change was that emissions from forest peat soils were higher. The calculations took into account the impact of global warming on the decomposition process of peat and litter. The changed calculation sparked discussion in January: while preparing for the parliamentary elections in April, the leader of the National Coalition Party, Petteri Orpo, commented on Luke's calculations regarding the collapse of carbon sinks. He found it strange that the calculations on carbon sequestration volumes could differ so much. “I simply don’t understand how carbon sequestration calculations can differ to an extent that is completely incomprehensible, causing people to get anxious and rush to all sorts of conclusions. That should not be the case,” P. Orpo explained to the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat.
M. Remes admits that the use of new carbon sequestration calculation methods was justified, as research and research methods are constantly evolving. “Adopting new methods becomes necessary when the scientific community has developed sufficiently well-founded professional assessments of their suitability and reliability,” notes M. Remes. At the same time, he reminds us that the Finnish media and researchers have a duty to inform the public about the introduction of a new method. “The public must understand that results based on two different methods cannot be compared with each other,” points out M. Remes.
Finnish forests remain a significant carbon sink
In Markku Remes's opinion, the most important factor affecting the future of forests is the area of forest available for timber harvesting. If the volume of protected areas and other restricted-use areas increases significantly, it will reduce the total volume of timber harvesting, even if forest management is intensified. M. Remes notes that on important issues, one must not forget a sense of proportion, although important issues, of course, must be given due attention.
“Our forests remain a significant carbon sink. We have taken proper care of them,” stresses M. Remes. He believes that in the near future, carbon sequestration in forests will likely decrease slightly. There are no quick fixes for increasing carbon sequestration in mineral soils and peatland soils. “Hasty decisions made in a rush may hinder favourable developments in carbon sequestration in the future,” warns M. Remes.
Forest Industries Federation: The decline in growth must be taken seriously
Karoliina Niemi (Karoliina Niemi), Director of the Forest Department at the Finnish Forest Industries Federation, believes that the slowdown in forest growth must be taken seriously because viable and well-growing forests form an essential carbon store. Her recommendation is to invest in forest cultivation. Forest management must be activated and provided for at the appropriate time.
“It is important that all activities take place in accordance with current forest management recommendations. In certain peatlands, we are increasingly shifting towards continuous cover forestry in order to reduce emissions from peat soils. Preventing forest damage will also become increasingly important,” notes K. Niemi.
Will Luke calculations promote the implementation of measures in the forest sector?
“Changes regarding forests are, of course, being taken seriously. However, given the long life cycle of forests, we should be cautious so that hasty decisions are not made. The forest sector is striving for active and timely forest management. The industry must join forces to achieve this. First, it must be ensured that after regeneration felling, the new forest stand is established (regenerated) in the shortest possible time. A key short-term measure for stimulating growth is soil improvement. At the same time, we continue to develop forest management methods suitable for specific peatlands,” notes K. Niemi.
* https://www.icos-cp.eu/fluxes