Open Knowledge (FSC OK)

More than half of Swedens productive forest area is certi fied in accordance with FSC. By certifying their land the land-owner is committed to comply with FSC regulations for responsible forestry. According to FSC, responsible forestry implies consideration to the environment, to the people who work in the forest, to the local residents and to the Sami people. It also implies practicing economically viable forestry. This report describes how some of the requirements in FSC�s forestry standard provide value for biodiversity ex ceeding what is stated in the Swedish Forestry Act. Five environmental aspects have been identified where scientific research shows a value for biodiversity, where the value is quantifiable and where the FSC standard provides greater value for biodiversity than the Swedish Forestry Act: 1. Retention trees, 2. Dead wood, 3. Conservation areas and woodland key habitats, 4. Deciduous forests and 5. Forest fires. Additional environmental aspects (red-listed species, buffer zones, landscape planning, forest roads, damage to soils and water) are discussed briefly at the end of the report. For these aspects it is difficult to evaluate the difference between forestry legislation and the FSC standard, or there is a lack of scientific research on how the FSC standard provides additional value for biodiversity. The contents of this report is based on scientific research, and gives examples to highlight the benefit of FSC certifica tion for biodiversity.