avverkad

Avverkad is a Swedish adjective meaning that trees have been felled in a forested area. The term is used to describe land where logging has taken place, often leaving visible signs such as stumps, bare soil or disturbed ground vegetation. It stems from the verb avverka, to fell trees or harvest timber, with the suffix -ad.

In forestry usage, avverkning refers to the harvesting operation itself, while avverkad describes the resulting landscape. The degree of disturbance depends on the harvesting method, which can range from clear-cutting to partial thinning. An avverkad site may become a simple opened area or a mosaic of younger regeneration interspersed with residual trees. Regeneration, either natural or through planting, is a typical follow-up, and management plans may specify timing and species.

Environmental considerations include impacts on biodiversity, soil, and hydrology. Sustainable forestry aims to balance timber production with regeneration obligations and protective measures, such as preserving certain habitat elements and minimizing erosion. In Nordic contexts, including Sweden, forestry operations are regulated to promote sustainable use and typically require planning, documentation and follow-up to ensure regenerating forest cover.

The term is common in forestry reports, land-use planning and environmental assessments, and is used descriptively when evaluating land post-harvest.