Exploring the conditions for a shift to Continuous Cover Forestry in Sweden : a practice-based approach to understanding what enables and challenges forest management practitioners to practice Continuous Cover Forestry

Abstract: This thesis investigates the adoption of Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) in response to mounting environmental concerns stemming from conventional forestry in Sweden. Utilising a social practice-based approach with qualitative interviews and observations of forest managers who engage in CCF “on the ground”, the study uncovers a complex of practices connected to CCF, encompassing policy and regulation, research, advice, services, and forest ownership. By investigating the elements and interlinkages of these practices, the study finds key enabling factors and challenges within the intricate web of CCF practices. Emphasised challenges are; lack of competencies in CCF, predominant advice advocating conventional forestry, scarcity of CCF service providers, entangled timber contracts, insufficient research and concerns of forest expropriation due to high nature values attributed to CCF-managed forests. Enabling factors include knowledge-sharing interactions in networks and collaborations with diverse stakeholders, including independent CCF companies, forest owners, foresters, entrepreneurs, service workers, researchers and non-governmental organisations. Additionally, recreational activities, environmental stewardship, and improved workplace conditions motivate forest managers to embrace CCF practices. The research highlights the need to re-evaluate the division between conservation and production forests, urging the extension of CCF promotion into productive forests. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of diverse perspectives in advisory practices and advocates for increased, nuanced, and collaborative research on CCF's viability within Sweden's evolving forestry landscape.