Forests were an important topic of the conference of the Norwegian Directorate of Agriculture, which took place on March 9, 2023. Forests are becoming increasingly important, both for the sequestration of greenhouse gases and the production of raw materials for construction, industry and energy.
Forests cover 38 percent of Norway's land area. Of this forest, two thirds are productive forests and one third are non-productive forests. Norway's forests have almost tripled in the last hundred years.
– In recent years, the National Forest Assessment shows that growth has decreased and measures must be taken to increase growth again in order to produce more and at the same time fix the greenhouse gas CO2, says Turid Trötscher, who works with forest management at the Norwegian Directorate of Agriculture.
both for the economy and the climate. There are several reasons why growth is declining in Norwegian forests.
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age and weather
Over the last twenty years, the share of old-growth forests has increased two and a half times, which results in a reduction in growth. In addition, more forests are cut down during the heyday. Several cases of drought have also been recorded in the last ten years, resulting in reduced growth and an increase in the number of dead forests. Reforestation has kept the forest area fairly stable, but many rare forests are being lost to development.
Taken together, this means that growth in Norwegian forests is declining. There is therefore a need for measures that can increase growth.
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Three measures for more forests
Three measures can be taken to increase growth and carbon capture:
- Increase the forest area. As early as 1951, plans were made to plant 4,9 million acres of forest along the coast, and from 1951 to 1980, approximately 3,9 million acres of forest were planted. New plantings have been limited since the 2013s. In 9,8, it was estimated that 1,4 million acres could be planted with forest as a climate measure. Most of them concern the change of tree species in already existing forest areas. Only XNUMX million acres of new forest can be planted.
- Take care of existing forest production. The most important measure is planting. From a peak of 110 million new plants in 1960, planting fell to a low of 11 million plants in 2005. From 2005 to today, planting rose again to 48,5 million plants in 2022 when planting aid was reintroduced. After felling, the forest owner is responsible for growing a new forest, the so-called duty of rejuvenation. Studies show that this is not the case in 22 percent of harvested areas.
- Increase production on existing land . Young forest care is an activity that contributes to growth, better wood quality, and is also an effective climate measure. It is therefore appropriate to extend this action for which appropriations have been earmarked. Fertilizing forests is another way to increase CO2 absorption.
“In summary, we should combine these three measures and also stop cutting down forests that are in the best growth phase,” says Trötscher.
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Source: Norwegian Directorate of Agriculture
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