Over the course of centuries, the preponderance of natural ecosystems in Europe have vanished. Particularly in the northern region, a significant amount of natural old forest persists. As they are more resilient to environmental change, store more carbon, and host a greater number of species, these “old-growth” forests are exceedingly valuable.
A substantial fraction of these boreal forests, which encompass the globe via Canada, Scandinavia, and Russia, are located in Sweden. However, upon conducting research on these final remnants of the natural forest, we have discovered that they are being removed at an unprecedented pace—even more rapidly than the Amazon rainforest.
The general public appears to be unaware that these forests are not subject to direct monitoring or comprehensive environmental impact assessments. Additional evidence suggests that a similar phenomenon is occurring in boreal forests worldwide.
The ambiguity surrounding the distinction can make it challenging to ascertain the exact quantity of old-growth forest that is extant. However, a clear distinction can be observed between forests that have previously experienced “clear-cutting” (complete deforestation) and those that have never been subjected to such practices.
Sweden’s forest cover has been dominated by clear-cutting since the 1950s, which first emerged in the early 1900s. The untamed forests that existed prior to this period can be classified as old-growth forests, as they were likely not clear-cut.
Lasse Johansson/Shutterstock
The forests in unprotected regions, where the average age of the trees was greater than 1880, were the sole focus of our research. It is exceedingly improbable that those forests were ever cleared, as this occurred prior to the widespread adoption of clear-cutting in Sweden.
Sweden’s productive forest land is estimated to be 8% comprised of the unprotected old-growth forests in question, which eliminates forests located near the tree line of the Scandinavian mountain ranges. This is equivalent to approximately 1.8 million hectares of old-growth forest, which exceeds the total wooded area in numerous European countries.
This unprotected old-growth forest, in conjunction with the remaining protected old-growth and primary forests, occupies a significant portion of the EU’s last known ecosystems of “high naturalness.”
What is occurring within these mature forests?
In Sweden, 20% of all clear-cut forest was old-growth from 2003 to 2019. Consequently, a significant portion of forest products, such as bioenergy, timber, and paper, are derived from mature trees. The current rate of decline is resulting in annual losses of 1.4% to unprotected old-growth forests. If this trend continues, these forests will be entirely extinct by the 2070s.
Between 2008 and 2023, Sweden’s old-growth forests were removed at a rate that was six to seven times greater than that of the Brazilian Amazon forest. In fact, the Amazon’s extensive cleared forest area leads to a significantly greater aggregate quantity.
It is surprising that our study is the sole one of its kind in the boreal region; however, there is some research that indicates that old-growth forests are also harvested in Canada. Furthermore, anecdotal evidence indicates that forestry operations in other boreal regions are contributing to the uncontrolled destruction of old-growth forests.
What awaits ahead?
The European Commission has developed guidelines for all countries to map and safeguard all residual old-growth and primary forests. This would be an exceptional starting point.
Ultimately, a unified system for mapping and monitoring the entire boreal forest will be necessary to ascertain its rate of depletion. Furthermore, this would enhance our understanding of the implications for carbon storage, the flora and fauna that inhabit these forests, and the human population that depends on them.
Regrettably, this is a monumental and difficult endeavor. Nevertheless, this may be our final opportunity to protect and restore vast natural forests. The recovery of old-growth forests will be postponed for centuries if they are removed at this time.
