Sweden’s forests are home to around 30,000 of the country’s more than 60,000 known plant and animal species – and new species continue to be discovered. Preserving and enhancing biodiversity is essential for healthy and resilient forests and is a core component of Swedish forestry.
What is nature conservation?
Nature conservation in forests refers to measures aimed at safeguarding and enhancing biodiversity. This can involve preserving particularly valuable areas, but also making targeted efforts for specific species and adapting how forestry is carried out. Nature conservation is therefore not something that takes place alongside forestry, but an integral part of how forests are planned, managed and used.
Examples of nature conservation measures
Deadwood
One way to work with nature conservation is to deliberately create deadwood, such as fallen old dead trees or standing dead trees. Deadwood is extremely important for many insects, fungi and birds. This can be achieved by creating high stumps, ring‑barking trees, or felling certain trees and leaving them on the ground.
Controlled burning and damaged trees
Controlled burning for conservation purposes is another important measure for many species. In the past, forest fires were a natural part of forest dynamics, but today only a fraction of a per cent of Sweden’s forests burn each year. Through controlled burns, it is possible to mimic natural fires and benefit plants and animals that depend on fire‑affected forests. Burning also helps create more deadwood.
Another conservation measure can be the deliberate damaging of trees. If done correctly, this can make them more resilient to insect pests, diseases or extreme weather.
Restoring wetlands
Restoring wetlands is another example of nature conservation. Many wetlands were previously drained, which has affected both plant and animal life. When wetlands are restored, habitats are improved for birds, amphibians and insects, among others. At the same time, wetlands help retain water in the landscape and improve water quality.
Voluntarily set‑aside and protected forests
Another way to work with nature conservation is to set aside forest land from forestry. In addition to formally protected areas such as nature reserves and national parks, many forest owners make voluntary set‑asides. When forest owners choose – without compensation – to preserve and enhance natural and cultural values in an area, this is referred to as a “voluntary set‑aside”. The reason is often that the environmental and social values of the area are valued more highly than the economic return. Voluntary set‑asides play an important role in creating good conditions for biodiversity. However, they are not formally protected under law. In Sweden, more than 25 per cent of the forest land is already excluded from forestry through various forms of protection and set-asides.
FSC and PEFC
Through the FSC and PEFC certification systems for responsible forestry, ambitions in nature conservation are raised. Today, approximately 67 per cent of all productive forest land outside formally protected areas in Sweden is certified (2025, Swedish Forest Agency). Many forest owners are certified under both schemes.
How the Swedish forest industry works with nature conservation
The Swedish forest industry has long worked with nature conservation. Through knowledge sharing and the continuous development of forestry practices, the sector’s understanding of how different species and habitats are affected has increased. This growing body of knowledge is reflected in changes to forest structures and environments. The number of large trees and the amount of deadwood are increasing, clear‑cut areas have become smaller, and forests are more varied with a higher share of broadleaved trees. The proportion of older forest is increasing, and Swedish forests have generally become denser and darker.
At the same time, more work remains to be done. To further strengthen biodiversity and support forests that are even more resilient and healthy, additional and more targeted measures are needed, such as:
- creating more structurally diverse forests,
- increasing active nature conservation management, and
- strengthening the knowledge base through research and more effective monitoring methods.
Nature conservation is a prerequisite for forests to continue delivering raw materials and climate benefits in the future. A long‑term responsibility for forests is therefore also essential for the competitiveness of the forest industry.
