metsänhoito

Metsänhoito, or forest management, is the practice of maintaining and improving forest resources for sustainable use. It involves a range of activities aimed at enhancing forest health, productivity, and biodiversity. Forest management can be categorized into two main types: even-aged and uneven-aged management.

Even-aged management involves clear-cutting or selective cutting, where all trees in a specific area are harvested at the same time. This method is often used in commercial forests to maximize timber yield. However, it can lead to a loss of biodiversity and soil erosion.

Uneven-aged management, on the other hand, allows for the growth of multiple age classes within the same stand. This approach mimics natural forest dynamics and promotes biodiversity. It involves selective cutting, where only a portion of the trees are harvested, and the remaining trees are left to grow and regenerate the forest.

Forest management also includes activities such as thinning, which involves removing a portion of the trees to improve the growth of the remaining trees, and planting, which involves establishing new trees to increase forest density and productivity.

In addition to timber production, forest management also plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem services, such as water purification, carbon sequestration, and habitat provision for wildlife. It is essential to balance the needs of the forest with the needs of society to ensure the long-term sustainability of forest resources.