Threats

Climate change increases the risk of extensive forest damage. Click the buttons to see the various threats faced by forests.

Finnish forests are primarily healthy, and the pollution load that affects them is minimal. However, the northern location presents unique challenges for forest growth and cultivation. Climate change may increase the probability and severity of various threats. There is more variation in the temperatures and rainfall, extreme weather phenomena are becoming more frequent and, at the moment, we have no way of knowing what else is about to happen. A forest that has faced some sort of destruction is more prone to other threats, as well.

Although the goal is to prevent forest devastation, many factors seen as threats may actually be important for biodiversity. Various insects and fungi are part of diverse forest life, which is why decaying wood is left in forests after felling. A forest fire may destroy vast areas, but prescribed burning is a way to support species that benefit from the fires. After all, diverse forests are better able to withstand threats and destruction.