Abstract

Forests are an important natural resource in Sweden. They are used for multiple purposes, for example, providing economic returns from timber harvest, conservation of biodiversity, provision of wild berries and mushrooms and recreational benefits. People's perceptions of forests and forest use are currently under transformation due to drivers like globalization and urbanization. The aim of this study was to analyse in particular Swedish university student's visions of future forests using a newly developed survey method based on mind mapping. An online survey with mind map technique was used to collect data from university students in Umea, northern Sweden. The study focused on features of forests, products derived from forests and activities in forests. The results indicate that students regard ecological, social and economic aspects of forests as important for future forests and the use of them. In particular, the role of non-wood forest products, like berries and mushrooms, as well as recreational features of forests were central to many of the students. The multitude of different visions suggests that forest management decisions of today, directing the future of forests, need to consider the multiple use of forests to be able to satisfy forest preferences also of younger generations.

Keywords

Forest management; forest activities; features of forest; forest products; cross-sectional survey

Published in

Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research
2017, Volume: 32, number: 8, pages: 807-817

SLU Authors

• Nummelin, Tuomas

  • Department of Forest Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Widmark, Camilla

  • Department of Forest Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Riala, Maria

  • Department of Forest Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE)

• Nordström, Eva-Maria

  • Department of Forest Resource Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Nordin, Annika

  • Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

Future Forests (until Jan 2017)
SLU Future Forests
Nature experiences and health


Sustainable Development Goals

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all


UKÄ Subject classification

Economic Geography
Economics
Forest Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02827581.2017.1287303

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/86805