skogreising

Skogreising, literally “forest rising” in Norwegian, is a term used in Nordic forestry discourse to describe a broader trend of increasing forest cover and biomass in landscapes where forests are regrowing after disturbance or land-use change. The term is not a formal scientific designation but appears in policy documents, regional planning, and some academic discussions to characterize this growing forest layer.

Definition and scope: Skogreising encompasses afforestation, reforestation, and natural regeneration that contribute to higher forest area and stock. It often refers to landscapes where non-forest land becomes forest and where young stands mature into productive forests, as part of a longer-term trend of forest expansion.

Drivers: Climate suitability, policy incentives for reforestation and sustainable forestry, and increased demand for timber and carbon sequestration are cited as drivers. Land management practices that favor rapid regeneration, coupled with market and incentive structures supporting forest growth, also contribute to skogreising.

Implications: Potential benefits include carbon storage, improvements in soil and water regulation, and habitat creation. Possible risks involve reduced biodiversity if species diversity is not maintained, vulnerability to monocultures, and conflicts with agricultural, urban, or other land uses where competition for space or resources exists.

Regional context: In Nordic regions such as Sweden, Finland, and Norway, forest area has grown in recent decades, and skogreising is used to describe part of this trend. The term’s usage varies, and it is not universally adopted in scientific literature.

See also: afforestation, reforestation, forest transition, forest restoration.