Chapter 2. Knowledge of Trees and Forests – Finnish Forest Research from the Nineteenth to the Twentieth Century

Abstract

Finnish forestry and forest science reflect demands set by the state administration and the forest industry but also private forest and nature conservation organisations, and nowadays private citizens e.g., through social media. From the late nineteenth century to the 2020s, the history of forests, forest science and Finnish society consists of four main periods. During the first period – know the forests (late nineteenth century–1930s) – society needed and gained information on forests, especially on growing timber stock (the first forest inventory in the 1920s) and wood consumption (the first inventory of wood consumption in the 1930s). In addition, researchers produced knowledge for silvicultural practices and forest biology. Rationalising forestry and developing timber procurement were seen as essential during the second period – exploit the forests (1940s–1960s). Since timber removals exceeded annual growth, the state launched massive forest improvement actions. Large clear-cuttings were regenerated with conifer saplings and massive draining of bogs was enacted. As a result, society more extensively exploited and influenced the forests. During the third period – define the forests (1970s–1990s) –forests were no longer respected merely as a source of economic prosperity. Escalating disputes came about when environmental activism and public discussions challenged forestry practices. Scientific knowledge became imbricated, besides traditional forestry values, also with nature conservation, recreational and environmental values related to forests. During the 1990s, changes in forest legislation paved the way for more pluralistic values of forests. During the most recent period – discover forests’ futures (2000s–) – climate change and conflicting human-forest relationships set new demands for forestry and forest science. Forests’ importance has grown from the private and national level to the global context. Forests are respected as carbon sinks and storage, for their rich biodiversity, and as a source of mental and physical health. Forests as living entities are often recognised and new steps have been taken towards more pluralistic human-forest relationships, posthumanism and interspecies perspectives.