Generell hänsyn vid avverkning : påverkan av dispens från sexveckorsregeln samt skogsägares kunskap, tankar och åsikter

Abstract: The forests in Sweden have, for a long time, been managed intensively. This has led to even-aged stands with few tree species and a lack of dead wood. Therefore, general conservation measures in connection with regeneration felling are important in order to promote biodiversity. Inventories carried out by the Swedish Forest Agency, however, show that about 25 % of the felled area does not reach the level of the Forestry Act, regarding general conservation measures. The aim of my study was to see whether exemptions from the six week notice of reporting regeneration fellings (the Forest Agency demands a report six weeks in advance of fellings), affect the results of the general conservation measures taken. A comparison was made between felled areas given exemption and felled areas reported in time. 42 felled areas were inventoried in the field with the D1-polytax method, on privately owned property in the vicinity of Sundsvall and Härnösand. The results were also compared with results from a database covering the Forest Agency's middle region of Sweden, also based on the D1-polytax method. My study also aimed at investigating the thoughts and knowledge of private forest owners regarding the planning of regeneration fellings, general conservation measures and nature conservation. This was done through semi-structured interviews with six forest owners. Neither the field inventory, nor the database, showed any difference between the felled areas given exemption and the areas reported in time, regarding general conservation measures. The interviews showed that the forest owners were interested in the planning of felling operations. They also seemed to know what general conservation measures are, but not quite what purpose they serve. I also made the interpretation that many of the forest owners seemed rather insecure when it came to their knowledge of conservation, of the legislation and their possibilities to influence how forestry actions are carried out on their forest land. The interviews also showed that certain important words, such as nature conservation, do not always mean the same thing to all people. One conclusion of the study is that it might be equally important for the Forest Agency to visit objects given exemption as the ones that are reported in time. Further, it is important that forest owners understand the purpose of general conservation measures and that they see that they have a chance to influence how work is done on their land. The authorities should present more clearly to landowners the political and environmental goals, as well as the division of responsibility.