In a longer run the effect can even be positive, due to the increasing share of broadleaves as a result of forestry methods favouring grouse species. “The challenge to a game-oriented forest plan in southern Finland is the small size of forest holdings,” says forest planner, Mr. Ari Holappa from the Forestry Centre.
As an example, the territory of one capercaillie may cover 10–20 forest holdings. As a result, the owners of the holdings must co-operate if they want to create good conditions for capercaillies. The Forestry Centres could provide encouragement for such co-operation, but so far it has not been seen.
“Taking the game into account in forestry depends on the forest owner’s personal interest,” Holappa says. Forestry planners can, however, calculate the expenses of saving courting grounds or feeding trees. According to Holappa, this is a case of doing little things for remarkable effects.
Forest owners want better information about their forests
The Finnish family forest owners’ attitudes towards game management have changed in recent years. “We have tried to promote it since the beginning of the 1990’s, with little success,” says forest planner, Mr. Ville Tervo from the Häme-Uusimaa Forestry Centre.
“At the moment, family forest owners want to know more about their forests,” Tervo says. One goal of the game-oriented forest plan is to ensure, at a minimum, that forest owners do not cause any harm to game through ignorance.
Those who spend time in forests learn to identify habitats important for game. For forest owners living in cities, the help of forest planners, hunters and others who frequently walk the forests is crucial in identifying the important habitats.
Raising the awareness of forest owners
Game management work can also be a tool for waking up the “sleeping” forest owners. “If the forest has not been harvested in decades, timber revenues may not attract the forest owner in the future either, but for the sake of game they may be persuaded to undertake some forest management,” Holappa says.
“Some forest owners also think that the forestry plan is only for those who want to make a mint of money from timber,” Tervo says. However, the plan is always done according to the owner’s objectives.
“And, after all, it is only a recommendation,” Holappa continues. The forest owner is not obliged to implement any of the work mentioned in the plan.
“The use of environmental subsidies to compensate for losses caused by a game-oriented forestry plan should also be an option in the future. Even a small subsidy could act as an incentive for many,” Holappa says.
By Hanna Kaurala, Hyvinkää