Ekologi, skog och miljö - Epsilon Open Archive - Sveriges ...

ecosystem, which strongly influenced how ecologists viewed their science. Then,
in the 1950’s, Eugene Odum guided ecology research into studies of ecosystems.
One such study, Ecology of the Conifer Forest Landscape (Barrskogslandskapets
ekologi) was carried out in Sweden in the 1970’s. It took a holistic view of
energy, nutrient and water flows, as well as biomass production in a forest
ecosystem. Landscape ecology, which came into focus during the beginning of
the 21st century, has led to an expanded view on ecological relationships, based
on a new understanding among ecologists that influences among various
ecosystems exist even over large areas.
The utilization of forests
During the 18 th century, forest companies and industrial communities considered
the forest as a natural resource just like they would a mine. The existing timber
volume, especially of tall trees of large diameter, was the recognized asset. Farmers
used the forest for extraction of wood for household purposes, wood for charcoal
and timber, and did slash-and-burn clearing of forests to create pastures.
This situation lasted until the mid 1800’s, when the rapid development of the
sawmill industry started. Simultaneously, in a major land reform process
(”avvittringen”), large forest areas were transferred to the farmers who were
caught between the companies’ land and timber purchases. There was no room
for active forest regeneration or other silvicultural measures.
All forests in the country were exploited. In northern Sweden (Norrland) the
exploitation went on into the 1940’s. As a consequence, the timber supply
decreased there, whereas in other parts of the country a slight increase was
observed during the first National Forest Inventory in the 1920’s. After the Second
World War, the Government, the Parliament, and the forest industry all realized
that the condition of the forests had to be improved, to avoid jeopardizing forest
growth and future yields completely. Restoration of the forests was commonly
discussed – a confession of earlier failures in forest management. The first active
step initiated by the Government was the Forestry Act of 1948, and was the first
complete forest legislation in Sweden. The essence of it still remains in force
today.
Along with forest restoration, which meant that intensive and sustainable forestry
was introduced, a mechanisation of manual operations began. In 1950, the
woodsmen still used axes and saws in felling, and horses for transportation. During
the two most recent decades, environmental considerations relating to various
silvicultural measures has been greatly improved as well.
228