The stream model for ecological landscape planning in non‐industrial private forestry

Abstract

A model for ecological landscape planning of forestry in areas dominated by non‐industrial forest estates is described. The model, which was developed in cooperation with the 41 forest owners in a 2910 ha forest landscape in North Sweden, is based on forest conditions and the attitudes of the forest owners in the landscape. The model is named the Stream Model because streams are key components in the planning process, which comprises seven steps. Five of these steps deal with protection or management for enhancing conservation values in selected (1) zones along streams, (2) mature stands, (3) stands in which self‐thinning has started, (4) stands with deciduous trees, and (5) forested non‐productive sites. Then, where feasible, a selection of protected stands is connected with stream corridors. In the final step, silviculture is assigned for the matrix. Application of the model in the studied landscape resulted in 3.4% of the forest land being voluntarily set aside by the forest owners. Stream buffer zones had a large impact on the proportion of estates with set‐aside areas.