A forest of grazing and logging: Deforestation and reforestation history of a boreal landscape in central Sweden

Detailed spatial changes in forest structure in a central Swedish landscape were examined using geographic information system techniques. First, the influence of grazing and burning on forest density and structure in the 19th century landscape were analyzed. Then, the development of the landscape during the 20th century, together with the impact of modern forest management methods on forest structure, were analyzed using historical sources. In 1907, over 20% of the 2200 hectare study site was sparsely-wooded (12 m(3) ha(-1)) with old trees. These areas have been reforested with single-storied middle-aged and old pine stands (66 m(3) ha(-1) in 1989) during the 20th century. Fire suppression and changes in land use from subsistence-to-industrial forestry, facilitated Norway spruce regeneration as undergrowth in open Scots pine stands after logging. This natural regeneration has, to a large extent, been cut down and replaced by pine afforestation. During the second half of the 20th century, the standing timber volume has steadily increased, while the mean age of the forest has decreased. Today's young dense forests will result in higher timber values in the coming decades, but the forest has lost a range of ecological niches.