Values and objectives of non-industrial private forest owners in Finland

TLDR

The study aimed to develop an empirical typology of non‑industrial private forest owners in Finland by linking forest values and long‑term ownership objectives to owner and holding characteristics, and to examine how these factors influence silvicultural and harvesting practices. The analysis used survey data from 245 forest owners in southeastern Finland. Results showed that forest values and long‑term objectives are weakly correlated, that owners focused solely on economic benefits are less active in silviculture and harvesting than multi‑objective owners who combine monetary and amenity goals, and that recreationists harvest slightly less but invest selectively; these insights can guide public forest policy and industry outreach.

Abstract

<ja:p>The purpose of the study was to create an empirical typology of non-industrial private forest owners based on forest values and long-term objectives of forest ownership, to identify these types by owner and holding characteristics, as well as to analyze silvicultural and harvesting behavior in these groups. The analysis was based on survey data on 245 forest owners in southeastern Finland. The results indicated that general forest values and long-term objectives of forest ownership are not strongly correlated. The results further suggested that the sole emphasis on economic benefits of forests does not lead to the most active silvicultural and harvesting behavior. Multiobjective owners, who underlined both monetary and amenity benefits of their forest property, were the most active in their silvicultural and cutting behavior. Non-timber objectives seemed not to exclude wood production: a group called recreationists harvested slightly less than other owners. Recreationists were willing to invest in forestry but were selective with respect to management practices. The results can be used in planning and implementation of public forest policy such as allocation of the resources of forestry extension services. Forest industries should also benefit from a knowledge of the objectives of roundwood sellers.</ja:p>