Forest, Nordmarka | Surveying all ancient forests now makes no sense

Discussion post This is an introduction to the discussion, written by an external contributor. The publication expresses the opinions of the writer.

In discussion, it may seem that much of what has happened in the past 30 years has been forgotten, so let's refresh our knowledge a bit.

The largest areas of untouched forest can be found by the difference between the total forest area and the area actually used for forest production. According to Nebiu, this number is approximately 32 million. A conifer forest conservation plan was then adopted, obligating the state to protect 10 percent of productive forests. It will include approximately 8.6 million then when the plan is implemented.

Cutting down ancient forests is like burning down a church

We must also not forget that with regard to certification, forest owners are obliged to leave border areas against water, waterways and swamps, as well as approximately 5 percent for key biotopes. In total, it also amounts to about 8.6 million hectares of forest. Therefore, the total forest area that will not be used for commercial forestry is about 49 million dunums. Some will object to the fact that all areas with unproductive forests are included in this overview, but that would be tantamount to claiming that national parks are worthless to forest-dwelling species.

1,339 vulnerable and threatened forest species are listed. It gives a wrong picture just to mention this number. According to the Red List of Species Data Bank, only 320 of them are clearly threatened by logging. 264 of them are again associated with broad-leaved forests, with oak, beech, ash and basswood being the most important host trees.

Pitch to forest owners: ancient forests will be saved without government funding

These areas are already protected in a separate protection plan. If you just look at the most endangered species, you'll end up with 25 critically endangered species. What all of these have in common is that they have only been found in a few areas consisting of a small number of individuals, and some records are over a hundred years old! In addition, we must include the 2002 NENAA report which calculated overall conservation needs at 4.5 percent to ensure the biodiversity of our forest areas. If one does not take this background with one, it is easy to create a false impression of where to work on securing biodiversity in the forest.

The contradictions and dishonesty of the nation's commentator

Surveying all ancient forests now makes no sense when the species has already been hunted by other methods. These funds would be much more useful if they were placed in a fund for conservation work that is already underway, but lacks the funds to implement it. Introducing some sort of new category into this conservation work will now lead to further conflicts and delays.