Annual Report 2007
Finnish Forest Research Institute Annual report 2007
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
Contents 4
Finnish Forest Research Institute
13
Director General’s review
14
A year of new programmes at Metla
17
International activities
19
Metla and the Nobel Peace Prize
21
Forests - an important resource for health
23
Research forests and experimental activities
25
Research programmes
38
Metla’s research projects in 2007
39
Publications
43
Metla’s photo-archive
45
Events
46
Metla 90 years
48
Resources
Metla’s values Reliability We act responsibly by producing scientifically objective and reliable information and by meeting the commitments made to our clients.
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
Occupational skills, competence and well-being We motivate our personnel by developing their skills and competence to attain our shared goals and to become a world-class leader in the field of forestry.
Interactivity
Proactivity and creativity
We act openly and interactively in the best interest of our clients.
We anticipate future needs for information and develop our practices with an open mind and without prejudice.
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
Research Units, their profiles of expertise and staff Metla - the Finnish Forest Research Institute - is the biggest forest research specialist organization in Europe. Metla is a public-sector research institute, subordinate to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, with approximately 700 employees. A strong network of regional Research Units enables Metla to serve its customers at the international, national and regional level. Joensuu: regional development related to woodworking and forestry in Eastern Finland. The number of permanent staff is 85.
Kannus: wood energy, coastal forests and forest management planning. The number of permanent staff is 25.
Kolari: sustainable management and use of the northern timberline forests. The number of permanent staff is 20.
Muhos: ecology of forest regeneration and changes in the forest environment. The number of permanent staff is 47.
Parkano: forest health conditions and peatland forestry. The number of permanent staff is 39.
Punkaharju: forest research genetics, especially in biotechnology and resistance breeding. The number of permanent staff is 35.
Rovaniemi: forest management methods applicable in the northern zone, integration of the different forms of forest use. The number of permanent staff is 74.
Suonenjoki: research into forest tree nurseries and forest regeneration. The number of permanent staff is 47.
Vantaa: ecologically, socially and economically sustainable forest use. The number of permanent staff is 257.
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
Metla builds the future for forestry
mill .m3/year
Finland is the most forested country in Europe; as much as 75% or 23 million hectares of its area is covered by forests. The importance of forests to the national economy is the highest in Europe, and the value of forest industry exports is roughly a fifth of Finland’s total exports of goods. Social and economic developments are reflected by changes in the way that forests are put to use. This has already been seen several times, and the cycle of change will continue. No matter which products and forms of use each generation wants to focus on, research will always be needed to support ecologically sustainable forestry. Under the conditions of climate change, the importance of reliable research information will be increasingly emphasized. Metla and Metsähallitus, Forestry Development Centre Tapio, 13 regional Forestry Centres and certain part of TTS (Work Efficiency Institute) comprise a public-sector forest corporation, the aim of which is to increase welfare attained from forests by fostering compatible livelihoods based on sustainable forestry.
Tasks We support research measures that will enhance economically, ecologically and socially sustainable forestry • by conducting research and generating research information on forest ecosystems, various forms of forest use, as well as forestry and timber trade and industry; • by providing services to information endusers and serving as an expert in forestry; • by managing forest-tree breeding in Finland; • by performing the tasks as a public authority and • by publishing research results and disseminating information on current news relating to forests and forest research.
Mission We build the future of the forest sector of Finland by producing and disseminating information and know-how for the well-being of society.
60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1920
1925
1930
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
1935
1940
1945
1950
1955
1960
Vision
We conduct research and development activities that have scientifically high standards and positive social impacts, and that enhance sustainable use of forests as well as economic competitiveness. To provide means for social decision-making and to enhance well-being in society we produce, acquire, and disseminate high-standard scientific information on forest-related topics: the forest ecosystem, the various forms of forest use, forest reserves and their utilization and protection. Our objective is to develop possibilities for forest-based production and services, and to promote sustainable use of forests by increasingly directing research towards improving business operations and supporting the formulation of forest policies. We conduct basic research to support applied research, we develop the cooperation within the forest sector and the utilization of research results, and implement our tasks as a public authority.
We want to be the most influential national and international institution with expertise on sustainable use of forests and one that anticipates the information needs of its clients.
Annual growth and drain Source: Metla/VMI
110 mill. m3/year
Strategic objectives
100 90
WTH GRO
80 DRAIN
70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
Thematic research programmes Core expertise Focus areas
Metla strategy National Forest Programme, Research Strategy of the Finnish Forest Cluster, other European and National agendas
10
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
Focus area
Core expertise
Metla’s research programmes
Forest-based enterprise and
•
•
business activities
Cost-effective, ecologically sustain-
• •
Forest management planning Wood material properties, tools to
2011)
•
control the properties, and efficient exploitation
• •
Cost-efficiency and quality in silvicultural operations (MKL 2007–
able silvicultural methods·
Bioenergy from Forests (BIO 2007–2011)
•
Potentials for the utilization of
Biomass delivery chains tailored for
roundwood and wood raw materi-
finished products
als in relation to the wood product
Total utilization of wood biomass,
markets (PKM 2002-2007)
new products and forms of business Social impact of forests
• •
Profitability of forestry and meth-
•
Safeguarding forest biodiversity
ods of forest policy
– policy instruments and socio-eco-
Public approval for forestry and
nomic impacts (TUK 2005–2010)
environmental performance of the products The structure and functioning of
•
forest ecosystems
Forest ecological yield and chemi-
•
cal flows in forests
• •
and use of forest resources in
Regulation of the genetic structure of forests
Functioning of forest ecosystems changing climate (MIL 2007–2011)
•
Biology of forest diseases and pests,
Production forestry in drained peatlands (SUM 2008–2012)
and methods to prevent and control them Information reserves for forestry and the forest environment
• •
Forest information reserves Forest databanks
•
Research and Development Programme on Forest Resource Information Systems and Forest Planning (MSU 2007–2010)
More information on the research programmes is available on the Metla website at www.metla.fi/tutkimus/index-en.htm Each research programme issues electronic newsletters that can be ordered, free of charge, at www.metla.fi/uutiskirje/.
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
11
12
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
A year of changes at Metla The year 2007 marked the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Finnish Forest Research Institute. The anniversary year was spent under tough pressures calling for national and global change. Although the staff’s motivation and occupational well-being were severely tested by the government’s productivity programme and the sectoral research system renewal along with many other areas of change, Metla’s productivity and social effectiveness have continued their increase year upon year. For this I offer warm thanks to the staff of Metla. During the anniversary year, Metla had seven ongoing research and development programmes, the most extensive of which is “Bioenergy from Forests”. In addition to the programmes, a number of extensive initiatives were being prepared. As part of the Finnish National Centre of Expertise programmes for 2007–2013, we actively participated in the initiation of the three forest competence cluster programmes, Living cluster, Forest Industry Future and Future energy technologies, as well as in the founding of the first Centre of Expertise, Metsäklusteri Oy (Forest Cluster Ltd) and preparations of its research programmes. Metla became a shareholder in Metsäklusteri Oy. Metla provided significant input to the preparative work of the National Forest Programme 2015, the METSO 2008–2016 programme and the research strategies for wood product industries. We participated in the conclusion-setting of the PUTTE research programme and in creating the silvicultural recommendations for peatland forests published by the Forestry Development Centre Tapio. Significant work efforts were also focused on the preparative work towards research agendas and programmes relating to the sectoral research system renewal. In 2007 the Finnish Statistical Yearbook of Forestry reached the age of 40, a revised MELA 2007 program version was published and the MELA Results service was renewed. In mid June we announced the newest National Forest Inventory results at the regional Forest Centre level and the regional potential removal volumes. The calculations of emissions and removals from forest management activities were delivered to Sta-
tistics Finland to allow computation of Finland’s national greenhouse gas inventory. Metla also played a central role when the “State of Europe’s Forests 2007” report was being created. The report was published at the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE). Several representatives of Metla also participated in the creation of the climate change report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). International collaboration was further strengthened during 2007. The traditionally close research collaboration with the Nordic countries and Russia was continued, and networking with the USA and Canada was active. We collaborated with countries in South America, especially Chile, Brazil and Mexico by visiting and exchanging specialists. One EU initiative coordinated by Metla was ongoing in Africa. Metla took a new collaboration step in Asia by signing collaboration agreements with the key forest research organizations of Japan, Korea and China. I personally became involved by accepting the coordination responsibility for the five-year task force “Forests and human health”, initiated by IUFRO in May 2007. Another event of historical importance was transfering the management responsibilities of research forests and conservation areas at the turn of 2007/2008 to Metsähallitus. Preparations for this required a great effort of work in 2007. A decision was made to concentrate Metla’s activities in the metropolitan area in Jokiniemi, Vantaa. The transfer will take place during the summer of 2008, which means that 2007 was Metla’s last full year in the old Metsätalo building in the heart of Helsinki. Although we are experiencing a period of major changes, thanks to the fruitful work during this anniversary year, we are now closer than ever to our vision statement: “Metla is the most influential and effective national and international expert on sustainable use of forests anticipating the information needs of its clients.” For this I would like to thank our staff and our collaboration partners. Hannu Raitio Professor, Director General Metsäntutkimuslaitos 2007
13
A year of new programmes at Metla The year 2007 brought significant changes to the way we conduct research and serve our clients at Metla. The new programmes started well and reached full speed. In 2007 Metla had seven ongoing research programmes that meet the essential challenges of the forest cluster by producing information for the needs of business and industry, forest owners and society. The new research programmes focus on forest bioenergy, the profitability of forestry, adjustment to climate change and the development of forest management planning: Bioenergy from forests (BIO 2007–2011), Cost-efficiency and quality in silvicultural operations (MKL 2007–2011), Production forestry in drained peatlands (SUM 2008 –2012), Functioning of forest ecosystems and use of forest resources in changing climate (MIL 2007–2011), Research and Development Programme on Forest Reserve Information Systems and Forest Planning (MSU 2007–2010). The Potentials for the utilization of roundwood and wood raw materials in relation to the wood product markets (PKM 2002–2007) programme was completed last year and planning was started for a new programme to cover the entire value chain of wood products. The status of the Safeguarding forest biodiversity – policy instruments and socio-economic impacts, (TUK 2005–2010) programme was reviewed and the planning for a new programme (HYV) on the impacts of forests on human welfare, especially on nature-based tourism, was started and is well under way. The new research programmes have been initiated as planned, and the work was supported by broad-scale preparations in collabora-
14
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
tion with various forest sector players. The work organized in programmes helps to make good use of Metla’s multidisciplinary expertise for solving multi-factorial problems and needs of information in forest-based livelihoods. At the same time, we can serve our customers and their information needs better and more interactively. In the planning and implementation of all these research programmes the emphasis has been on communication and putting the results into practice. This is done, among other things, by setting up steering groups. Through regular steering group meetings, researchers and members of business and industry, public administration and different communities have a chance to exchange information, experiences and views with each other. Communication plans are also being created, or have already been created for the programmes. As part of their implementation, the programmes’ internet pages will be renewed and information will also be disseminated through programme-specific newsletters. In addition to this, Metla’s programmes and research projects have taken advantage of extensive national and international networking. For example, Metla is a stakeholder in the Strategic Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation (SCSTI, in Finnish SHOK) of the forest cluster, Metsäklusteri Oy (Forest Cluster Ltd) that was founded in summer 2007. Metla has actively participated in the activities of the Centre of Expertise programmes related to the forest cluster, initiated during 2007. Metla is also the responsible body for a large number of public services on forestry and the for-
est sector, including the national forest inventory, forest health monitoring, compilation of forest statistics, implementation of the national forest improvement programme, reporting of greenhouse gases and measuring roundwood and sawn timber. These activities were, once again, performed well and with good results. The input of Metla researchers in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was recognized when the IPCC was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Price for their praiseworthy work to build up and disseminate knowledge on climate change. Metla participated in the arrangements of several forest and environmental programmes of international importance (e.g. the National Forest Programme 2015, METSO, METSO II). Metla also played an active role when the action items of the national energy and climate strategy were drafted. The most significant change in the research support activities was the transfer of research forests to Metsähallitus implemented at the turn of 2007/2008. In conjunction with the transfer, part of Metla’s research forest staff moved over to Metsähallitus retaining their previous employee status. The new administrative and operating model of the research forests will guarantee research possibilities for forest researchers, also for research conducted by universities and polytechnics, in research forests. The arrangement will also safeguard future operational requirements for all forms of forest research. The new organization is putting into practice many of the required changes needed in the national research structures. It will provide an effec-
tively managed research area network that will be widely available for researchers through the shared information system of Metla and Metsähallitus. In 2007 Metla also administered nature conservation areas, the performance of which was directed by the Ministry of the Environment. The goals set for performance were attained and we were satisfied to be able to hand over the nature conservation areas to Metsähallitus in good condition. The resources allocated to the research process were somewhat smaller than in 2006. The relative share of the two most important focus areas – “Forest-based enterprise and business activities” and “Social impact of forests” – increased slightly. The reduction was focused on the focus area “Structure and functions of forest ecosystems”. Allocation of resources was according to the set goals, but reducing resources from the resource process was not. However, acquiring external funding continued successfully, and we actively submitted proposals in the EU Seventh Framework Programme calls. The number of scientific papers by Metla researchers again exceeded that of the previous year and these papers appeared in internationally valued scientific journals. The number of presentations increased, enabling broad and targeted coverage of communication. Attaining such good results would not have been possible without the expertise, good professional skills and commitment of our researchers and other staff.
Leena Paavilainen Research Director
Pasi Puttonen Research Director
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
15
16
Metsäntutkimuslaitos 2007
International activities: research collaboration and data exchange Metla’s international activities have grown on a continuous basis and the trend continued in 2007. The key indicators increased in almost all activities, the most important of which were international collaboration projects and networks, proposals for EU initiatives, publications in international scientific journals, arranging scientific seminars and participating in them, and researcher mobility and overseas researcher trainees. Of Metla’s Research Units, Vantaa and Joensuu were the most active sites concerning international operations, but international activities in different forms were carried out in all units. Metla continued the close research cooperation with the Nordic countries and Russia. Europe-wide collaboration was furthered when the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme for research and technological development was opened at the beginning of 2007. By the end of the year, Metla was running approximately forty international research projects and more than twenty new project proposals had been submitted. Of the international external funding, the proportion of the EU funding was more than 90%, as in previous years. COST co-operation was the most important context for Metla in advancing international networking. Metla’s researchers actively communicated also with their colleagues in the United States and Canada. One EU initiative coordinated by Metla was ongoing in Africa. In 2007 Metla added a new dimension to its international activities by strengthening collaboration with Japan, Korea and China. Metla’s Director General paid visits to the key forest research organizations of these countries, and as a result, collaboration agreements were signed. The most important collaboration parties were the International Union of Forest Research Organizations, IUFRO; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO; and the European Forest Institute, EFI. Metla strives to strengthen collaboration also with other international organizations. Metla played a central role when the “State of Europe’s Forests 2007” report was being created. The report was published at the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE). Several Metla’s representatives also participated in the creation of the climate change report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In addition, Metla is a member in an international committee on forestry that develops criteria and indicators.
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
17
18
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
Metla and the Nobel Peace Prize On October 12, 2007 the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced that the 2007 Nobel Peace Price had been awarded in two equal shares to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Al Gore, the former Vice President of the United States. The justification was their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about climate change. Over the years, numerous Metla researchers have participated in the work of IPCC. Timo Karjalainen, Professor in International Forestry, was the lead author or coordinating review editor in the writing team of several publications serving the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, including a special report on land use, land-use change and forestry published in 2000 and the Fourth Assessment Report (AR4, subreport Climate Change 2007: Mitigation). Karjalainen has also participated in the IPCC work on developing methods for the assessment of carbon balances of wood-based products. Additionally, he contributed to the arrangements of one of the first IPCC workshops on forest carbon balance assessment, held in Joensuu in 1992. Risto Sievänen and Raisa Mäkipää were lead authors in the writing team of Good Practice Guidance for Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry on the Land use/Forests sector. Jukka Alm was the lead editor of the new version of Good Practice Guidance/AFOLU (Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use) concerning greenhouse gas reporting. Based on up-to-date research information, the guidance clarified the calculation instructions and includes the specific
emission inventory methods for energy production, industrial processes, land use and waste management. Many other Metla researchers have participated by commenting on the IPCC reports and guidance documents at the different phases of preparation. The Metla programme “Pools and fluxes of carbon in Finnish forests and their socio-economic implications” (SMH), completed in 2006, was closely connected with the issues relating to climate change. Of the currently ongoing research programmes especially “Functioning of forest ecosystems and use of forest resources in changing climate” (MIL) is focusing on this topic. It investigates the impacts of climate change on forests and trees and on the biological framework of forest use, as well as what it means for the Finnish economy. The latter group of research issues also covers bioenergy; the production and the ecological prerequisites of bioenergy are extensively studied in Metla’s research and development programme “Bioenergy from forests” (BIO). In addition to those mentioned above, many other Metla research programmes, like “Production forestry in drained peatlands” (SUM), contain research projects bearing significance to climate change research. As part of Metla’s tasks as a public authority, Metla is responsible for compiling the national computation and reporting on forest carbon stocks and greenhouse gases.
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
19
20
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
Forests - an important resource for health During the past years international co-operation has strengthened the understanding that forests are important as the producer of ecosystem services that are essential for human health and safety and that forest management and forest uses affect human health in several different ways. In addition to wood-based products, forests also produce berries and mushrooms, and even during our modern era a major proportion of the most important medicinal substances originate from forest plants. Who has not used aspirin? But how many of us know that the name salicylic acid is derived from the willow (Salix), the bark of which it was first extracted from. Or how many of us remember that quinine, an essential therapeutic for the treatment of malaria, comes from the bark of Cinchona tree, or that xylitol is extracted from birch, and the list goes on. So far, only a small fraction of the pharmacological potential of the forest trees and herbs has been utilized. This is one reason why it is important that biodiversity is maintained as an essential part of sustainable use of forests. On the other hand, many diseases are spread by animals to the human population. In Finland we know the tick-transmitted encephalitis and the hemorrhagic fever with renal symptoms (HFRS) spread by moles, as well as a few other forest-based diseases, although mainly due to our cold climate they have not gained very great importance from the national health perspective. However, in many other areas of the world forest-based diseases, such as malaria transmitted by insects laying their eggs in still-water ponds, are continuously a severe threat to human health.
Forests affect human well-being also through their recreational and even scenic values, even to the point that doctors in many countries have started to prescribe time in forests as a therapy for many ailments. In Japan and South Korea forest bathing is an important new therapy and forests are being planted around cities especially to meet the needs of these therapies. At the beginning of 2007 IUFRO set up a task force on Forests and Human Health, and Metla’s Director General Hannu Raitio was invited as the coordinator of the operations. The task force was assigned to initiate networking between forest researchers and specialists especially in the health sector but also others whose work involves dealing with issues relating to forests and health. The programme is scheduled for 2007–2011. Additional information can be found on the official website www.forhealth.fi/.
Forests offer many services essential to human well-being. Yet, they can also cause health problems. E.g. the pollen of birch and alder fly long distances in wind and can cause severe allergic symptoms in many people every spring even in big cities.
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
21
22
Metsäntutkimuslaitos 2007
Research forests and experimental activities The central feature of forest research is “experiments” that, unlike in other sciences, often span dozens of years. The results from experimental activities are used as the basis of the silvicultural recommendations for Finnish forestry, and the sample plots and sites can also be used as reference sites for dissemination of research data. At the beginning of 2007, Metla administered 86,000 hectares of nature conservation areas and research and educational forest areas, which were transferred to Metsähallitus at the beginning of 2008. In most of these areas research continues to be the most important use even after the transfer. Field trials related to forest management and silviculture have been carried out in the forests of Finland for more than 100 years. Hence, the change of administration at the turn of 2007/2008 is really nothing new in the history of our forests. The first forests were reserved for research use in 1922 at Vesijako in Southern Häme, at Raivola on the Karelian isthmus and on Vilppula’s Jaakkoinsuo in Northern Häme. The primary reason for establishing these experimental areas was to guarantee the continuity of long-term field trials. Another justification was to provide a chance for those working in forestry to get acquainted with field research work. During the 1920s and 1930s the network of research forests was quickly expanded and Metla was assigned responsibilities for the first national parks and nature conservation areas, including Malla, Pallas-Ounastunturi, Pyhätunturi, Pisavaara, Kutsa, Heinäsaari and Pääskyspahta. The war years, however, were marked by losses of the forests at Petsamo, Kymölä, Veikkola and Raivola, as well as of the nature conservation areas of Kutsa, Pääskyspahta, Pummanki, Hiisjärvi and Heinäsaari. Porkkala was transferred to Russia as a rental area. Forest areas were lost also due to post-war population re-settlement. At the turn of the century, Metla had approximately 77,000 hectares of research forests, 5000 hectares of educational forests and 70,000 hectares of nature conservation areas.
In 2002 the trend changed and the majority of Metla’s nature conservation areas were transferred from Metla to Metsähallitus. During 2007 preparations were made for the final grand transfer of the forests, including Koli National Park, Malla Strict Nature Reserve and Punkaharju nature conservation area. Concerning these forest areas, Metsähallitus and Metla signed a frame contract on November 11, 2007 in which the areas administered by Metsähallitus are to be used for research purposes. After this, 31,500 hectares of research forests and 9,000 hectares of field trials within the Metsähallitus forests remained dedicated for use by Metla. The key issue for Metla is that the agreement safeguards long-term, even decades long experiments. Several experiments and trials have been carried out in series of experiments covering different parts of the country. The oldest trials still being monitored were established in the 1800s. The exact information on the history and development of the sample plots provide source material also for new studies. Currently Metla is running more than 6000 field trials in Finland. The management of field trials requires professional skills and a research attitude, because the management procedures depend on the purpose of the trial – some trials are not to be tended at all, some are tended using completely different procedures. In conjunction with the tending procedures, measurements are usually made and samples or sample trees are taken or other material is collected. Measurements for the trials may also be made at intervals of a specific number of years. The use and calibration of technical devices as well as measuring accuracy are an absolute precondition for successful results, and no errors are allowed in checking and handling the material. At the beginning of 2008, along with the forests, a number of very able employees left Metla to join Metsähallitus, and in their new jobs they will make sure that the future of the trials is safe. The transfer of forest management to Metsähallitus will help Metla to focus its core operations on research and strengthen the strategic partnership between Metsähallitus and Metla. The new research forest arrangement will provide an effectively managed research area network that will be widely available for researchers through the shared information system of Metla and Metsähallitus. Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
23
Research programmes Bioenergy from forests BIO (2007–2011) Driven by climate change, the European community is striving to shift from the traditional economy to bioeconomy, in which non-renewable energy and raw material sources are replaced by renewable biomass-based raw materials. They do not increase the atmospheric carbon load but recycle the same amount of carbon. Forests are a significant source of renewable biomass, though only less than two thirds of the biomass growth is being utilized. Collecting logging residue during major cuttings and stumps and thinning wood from first thinnings has increased in recent years, making biomass a sales product on the energy market. Finland has made a commitment to increase its use of forest residue from 5 million to 10 million m3 by 2025. The increasing use of forest biomass has an effect throughout the entire forestry and forest industries. To support decision-making regarding multifaceted utilization of forest resources, the “Bioenergy from forests” programme produces, collects and processes research-based information on forests and peatlands as sources for bioenergy. We conduct surveys to determine the availability of biomass and plan for feasible wood supply chains for end users. The focus is on projects that study the impacts of biomass harvesting on the forest ecosystem, stand growth and forest health. New field trials have been established, but sample plots established in the 1960s are being reanalyzed as well. Most of the projects are international. The programme has four main themes:
The objectives are • To produce research information on biomass production in forests and peatlands and evaluate the basis for exploitation and its impact; • To develop sustainable silvicultural methods for forest biomass production and study possibilities for cultivating energy crops also on peat and farm land; • To develop inventory and planning methods for forest biomass resources; • To promote the innovation and development of technology and logistics for forest biomass procurement; • To support new entrepreneurship and creation of new business models in forest energy business; • To unite Metla’s bioenergy research resources and support the creation of new researcher networks; • To evaluate the impacts of increasing energy use of forests on the entire forest sector including forest owners, forest machine entrepreneurs, forest and energy industry, and policy-makers; • To research and develop woody biomass and its processing methods at biorefineries, ranging from its properties as a raw material to the markets for it; • To evaluate the impact of forest energy use on greenhouse gas and energy balances of Finland.
1. Production of forest biomass and forestbased bioenergy resources;
2. Impacts of intensive biomass harvesting on forests; 3. Biomass supply, business models and political means of energy policy; 4. Novel products.
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
25
26
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
Cost-efficiency and quality in silvicultural operations MKL (2007–2011) The rising costs of silvicultural operations are weakening the profitability of forestry and decreasing the availability of wood. This represents a big problem in today’s situation when increasing numbers of forest owners are becoming alienated from forestry and fewer forest workers are available in the labour market. At the same time, roundwood quality has become an important competitive factor for domestic wood raw material. The objectives of the research programme include turning the upward cost trend of silvicultural operations downwards by improving the cost-competitiveness and productivity of Finnish roundwood. This also involves developing supply chain management and work organization. New work methods and new types of equipment will be needed. The level of information relating to forest technology and finance must be as high as possible and available for forest professionals and forest owners when they make decisions on silvicultural operations. Information is needed also by wood-processing companies, manufacturers of forest machinery and forest tree nursery companies. The information produced by the programme will also support forest policy-making
regarding issues of silvicultural operations. The preliminary results indicate that there is significant potential for increasing cost-efficiency and savings, ranging from the infrastructure of the business field to organizing operative labour and mechanization. For example, new machine types to facilitate seedling planting are being developed, and with these, savings as high as 20–30% in the costs of planting are predicted. Studies on quality management of forestry have revealed major regional differences in the quality and price/quality ratio of silvicultural procedures even within the same work method. The differences cannot be explained by different environmental conditions. For these situations, the development of operational models and systematic quality work can bring great financial benefits.
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
27
28
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
Safeguarding forest biodiversity – policy instruments and socioeconomic impacts TUK (2005–2010) As a signatory to the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Biodiversity Convention, Finland has made a commitment to safeguarding biodiversity in all activities. The conservation of biodiversity must be accommodated with forest-based livelihoods in an economically and socially sustainable manner. TUK is a social science-oriented research programme with a holistic research approach; it investigates the interaction between the safeguarding of forest biodiversity and the different sectors of society. Specific research areas include demand for and supply of conservation of biodiversity, policy instruments as well as social and economic impacts of conservation. The objectives are • To produce, gather and disseminate research information on the interaction between safeguarding forest biodiversity and society; • To encourage participation of information users during the planning and execution of the programme and implementation of the results; • To develop methods and to create and support research collaboration networks as well as to enhance internationalization of research at Metla; • To improve the possibilities for taking the safeguarding of biodiversity into consideration in forest planning and decision-making and to support preparation and monitoring of forest protection policies.
The programme contains projects that investigate, for example, the following: • The impacts of forest conservation on timber supply and the local economy. At the same time, information is generated on alternative strategies for conservation and timber production as well as on the impacts of conservation decisions on timber supply; • The impacts of conservation on forest industry production and exports, stumpage earnings, roundwood prices and the forest sector’s employment; • Developing the service industries related to tourism and recreational use as alternative means of livelihood when forest areas are in transition from primary production to conservation; • Social and economic impacts of different means, pricing agreement on voluntary and uncompelled safeguarding of biodiversity and on how legislation and other control means affect silvicultural practices; • Development of cost calculation model for forest restoration.
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
29
30
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
Production forestry in drained peatlands SUM (2008–2012) In Finland 6.2 million hectares of forest is on drained mires and peatlands . This corresponds to slightly more than 20% of the total area of forestry area in Finland. Of the 6.2 million hectares 5.6 are classified as forest land. The annual growth on peatland forests is 24 million m3 and the annual cutting removal is expected to rise from the present 9 million to 15-20 million m3 over the next 20 years. One of the problems relating to management of peatland forests is the low profitability of silvicultural thinnings, especially in young-growth forests, where yields are small and harvesting costs are high, especially due to poor soil bearing capacity. Western Finland, in particular, has relatively large areas of drained mires, where tree growth is limited due to lack of potassium. To improve nutrient management, forest improvement funding is targeted on these sites for forest health fertilization. Appropriate identification of targets and controlling of the phosphorus load relating to the fertilization are significant problems for forest management in practice.
Considerable environmental problems arise from nutrient loads on watercourses and soil carbon dioxide losses from drained peat soils, which have been estimated as roughly 6.5 Tg per year. The objectives of the research programme are to generate research information for use in forestry, on the basis of which guidelines and control of silviculture, harvesting, forest regeneration and environmental effects can be developed to meet the practical needs of peatland forestry.
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
31
32
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
Functioning of forest ecosystems and use of forest resources in changing climate MIL (2007–2011) The objective is to produce information on the impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems and on economy and society. Studies will also be conducted to investigate and develop the environmental policy actions and means that facilitate preventing and mitigating climate change and assist the forest sector in adapting to climate change. The research programme consists of three thematic areas:
1. Identifying climate change in our forests Phenology and growth studies will be conducted to investigate variation in short and long time responses and the data will be coupled. Longterm changes are studied based on, for example, ground sediments and sub-fossil logs that have been preserved and dug out from sediments at the bottoms of mires and lakes. The growth season is followed by using girths, cell samples from trees and phenological observation. The research utilizes long phenological time series and analyses of annual rings and the effects of temperature changes are studied by modelling.
3. Forestry in changing climate The expected consequences of climate change include increased growth of forests, environmental conditions more supportive to pests, and increased risks of forest damage due to storms, temporary draught and warm winters. These factors will affect timber markets through more complicated harvesting, among other things. The research topics will include: • regional forest research predictions under changing climate; • impacts of climate change on forest owners’ timber supplies; • evaluation of development of carbon stocks contained in wood-based products; • effects of climate change on greenhouse gas balances; • carbon sinks of forests and end products, and the related short- and long-term policies to control them.
2. Forests and biological rationale for forest use under climate change The biological impacts of climate change on the function of forest trees and the forest ecosystem and their abilities to adapt to the changing climate are investigated by studying, for example: • genetic variation of forest trees and its importance in helping forest trees to adapt to stress factors; • the impact of changing climate on forest tree growth processes, growth, wood yield and timber quality and forest plant species’ distribution, dissemination and reappearance after disturbance; • risks of forest damage, their reasons and consequences, and risk mitigation; • the impacts of climate and forest management on decomposition of organic matter and greenhouse gas balances.
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
33
34
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
Research and Development Programme on Forest Resource Information Systems and Forest Planning MSU (2007–2010) If Finland is to increase its use of wood as predicted, efficient reconciliation of multiple forms of forest use will be needed. The MSU programme aims to facilitate the interaction between the different players in forestry and to improve the cost-efficiency of research and development work in two focus areas: • Forest monitoring, planning and improvement tasks at the regional level, including the maintenance of regional forest information; and • Planning of forest management and wood sales at the forest owner level, including the continuous maintenance of stand level forest data. Important development targets include activity models covering organizations’ own forest resource information systems, other players’ forest data as well as information and communication technology applications. The programme will also investigate how products and services of forest planning can be supplied to forest owners to meet the customers’ needs, complying with the rules of the market economy. Being a network of entrepreneurs and researchers, the structure of MSU is different from other research and development programmes of Metla; it does not contain any administrated projects. MSU consists of the following activities: • Collecting and disseminating data concerning the research and development projects, challenges and resources currently ongoing in different organizations (linkages portal); • Thematic seminars; • Planning and providing support for preparation of pilots and demonstration projects; • Creating scientific and newspaper articles tailored for different target groups to support applications; • Results evaluation (synthesis) to support integration of the results.
During 2007 the programme activities included • Release of the linkage portal’s first version at www.metla.fi/ohjelma/msu/index-en.htm; • The Forest Management Planning event at Kuortane was organized together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s joint research programme “Production and utilization of up-to-date forest resource information” and the “Taksaattoriklubi” association of the Finnish Society of Forest Science; • The MELA Analysis service (www.metla. fi/metinfo/mela/index-en.htm) was released to enable regional monitoring of the potentials of forest-based production and use of forests; • Announcement of an action model based on a local forestry programme for the villages of Koli and Hattusaari, containing separate decision-making tools for community-led strategy planning based on regional forest information and farm-level planning based on stand-level forest data (www.metla.fi/tiedotteet/2007/2007-12-12-paikallinen-metsaohjelma-en.htm).
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
35
36
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
Potentials for the utilization of roundwood and wood raw materials in relation to the wood product markets PKM (2002–2007) The PKM research programme produces information on alternative techno-economic and market-driven possibilities for the use of wood as a raw material and to improve the operational requirements for timber trade. The results provide support to product and technology development and marketing in the wood product and energy wood industries, help to direct timber procurement and purchasing by region and thinning stand, enhance business development for wood raw materials and energy wood, and quality in forest management. The programme’s research activities were completed in 2007. In addition to coordination and extension projects, the programme contained ten research projects. The final report will be created and the closing seminar and evaluation will be carried out in 2008.
Results The programme produced important results on definitions of the concepts, process models and their development in the wood product industries, as well as on the future of wood product industries and the possibilities of wooden-frame house construction. The sawmilling industry has utilized the results of the Nordic Scots pine studies in their product development projects and strategy and marketing policies, and wood procurement companies and timber sales organizations have exploited the results on the value formation of timber stands and wood quality to develop their preliminary evaluation and pricing. Results on thinning pine properties and value have been applied in wood product industries for directing of raw material acquisitions and product development. The processing industry and equipment manufacturers have utilized the results of the programme on drying and modification of aspen in practice. Marketing planning and marketing positioning in the business environment was served by our results on the environmental quality of wood products and the hardwood-based industries in
the Baltic region. The programme also initiated three new joint projects: Customer-oriented quality wood production in Central Finland, updating the green wood density tables, and environmental performance in the fields of wood products and construction business. The researchers were actively involved in the Finnish National Centre of Expertise programmes for 2007–2013, in the initiation of the three forest cluster programmes, the preparations of the first programmes and the research strategy for wood product industries of Metsäklusteri Oy (Forest Cluster Ltd), in submitting proposals for the WoodWisdom-Net programme and in the creation of the background information publication for the National Forest Programme 2015. The researchers also participated in four COST (European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research) programmes, and taught as specialists in, for example, universities and polytechnics. Three research projects towards doctoral dissertations were under way.
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
37
Metla’s research programmes in 2007 Programmes funded by customers Programmes funded by the EU Programmes funded by the Academy of Finland Metla’s own research programmes Programmes with external non-budgeted funding Joint programmes with shared-funding
Total More information on Metla’s programmes, including the websites of all research programmes and projects, is available at www.metla.fi/tutkimus/index-en.htm
Tasks as a public authority • National Forest Inventory (NFI) • Forest Statistics Information Service • Analyses and reporting on greenhouse gases Forest health monitoring Forest improvement Forest gene resources Forest damage diagnostic service Inspection of plant protection products Tasks related to legislation on measuring roundwood and sawn timber • Monitoring of forest regeneration in protected forest areas
• • • • • •
38
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
ongoing 71 35 22 114 62 112
started 21 3 11 49 24 48
416
156
Publications During 2007, 222 refereed scientific articles written by Metla researchers were published in international journals. Metla’s own publications and a list of the referred articles is posted at www.metla.fi/julkaisut.
the Science News Forum columns. Metsätieteen aikakauskirja is published jointly by the Finnish Forest Research Institute and the Finnish Society of Forest Science.
Refereed publications: 243 • in international scientific journals: 222 • in national scientific journals: 21 Non-refereed articles: 369 Presentations: • international, 360 • national, 460 Scientific journals: 253
In 2007 Metla published 171 media releases. Of these, 27% (46 releases) were on forestry statistics. News releases on publications, research results and forestry forecasts represented 59% (100 releases) of the total. 15% (25) of the news releases were on Metla’s organization.
Dissertationes Forestales: 20 Working Papers of the Finnish Forest Research Institute: 26 Silva Fennica
The Finnish Statistical Yearbook of Forestry is one of Metla’s flagship publications, an annual comprehensive review on statistics of the Finnish forestry and forest resources. The year 2007 was an anniversary year, for it marked the 40th publication for the Statistical Yearbook. It contains more than 200 tables and 60 figures in a total of over 400 pages. The book is written in Finnish, but it is convenient for international use as well, because the captions of tables and figures are also in English and there is a summary of the contents in English and Swedish. The print volume was 1400.
Dissertationes is a collection of doctoral theses on forestry, produced jointly by the Departments of Agriculture and Forestry of the University of Helsinki and University of Joensuu. The 2007 volumes are available in the internet at www.metla.fi/dissertationes/index-en.htm. Silva Fennica is a peer-reviewed international journal of forest science. It covers all aspects of forest research, ranging from basic to applied subjects. The journal carries original research articles, review articles, research notes, discussion papers, book reviews, and information on forthcoming events. More extensive research articles and comprehensive review articles are published intermittently in Silva Fennica Monographs. The journal is published by the Finnish Society of Forest Science and the Finnish Forest Research Institute. Silva Fennica is published in English. See www.metla.fi/silvafennica/ . Metsätieteen aikakauskirja is a Finnish scientific magazine where original research articles, reviews and communications are published in Finnish and Swedish. Its section called Metsävarat (Forest resources) contains results and development calculations on national forest inventories. Other articles relating to forests, forestry and forest nature can be published in
Media releases
Finnish Statistical Yearbook of Forestry 2007
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
39
Metla’s customer magazines Metla publishes for its customers and partners two quarterly magazines, Metsäntutkimus (or Forest research) and Taimi-uutiset (or Seedling news) and a bi-annual Metla Bulletin (in English).
Guidebooks and other publications During 2007 Metla published several reports, guidebooks and singular publications, of which just a few are mentioned below: • Kolin ja Hattusaaren paikallinen metsäohjelma (Nuutinen, T., Kärkkäinen, L., Niinistö, S., Hassinen, K. and Lukkarinen, E. ): a report of the results from the international three-year ELAV programme (Enhancing Local Activity and Values from forest land through community-led strategic planning). It describes a local community-led process, in which those concerned at the village level, assisted by specialists, create a local strategic plan for the use of the local forests. • Metsämaan muokkausopas (Jaana Luoranen, Timo Saksa, Leena Finer and Pekka Tamminen): • Soil preparation is one of the key factors for ensuring good regeneration results. This new guidebook on soil preparation contains information on selection criteria of the preparation method and what to look for to confirm that preparation has been successfully performed.
40
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
• Metsämaisemamme (Pertti Harstela): this book called ”Our forest landscape” describes how landscaping principles apply to forestry and the interfaces with nature conservation, multiple use of forests, recreation and nature-based tourism, and landscape planning. Additionally, Metla’s researchers made an essential contribution to several publications produced jointly with other bodies of forestry. To cite just one example, we produced the booklet (Recommendations for good silvicultural practices on peatland forests) together with Forestry Development Centre Tapio. The book contains up-todate information on the best means to increase wood production on peatland soils and describes the methods that help to avoid causing excessive load to watercourses.
Metla’s website The Metla website contains introductions to Metla’s research and services and provides information packages on different topics relating to forests. The pages provide information on research forests and all Metla’s electronic publications can be downloaded. The Metinfo – Forest information services sub-pages provide up-to-date forest statistics, information on forests and their state, and answers to questions about silviculture, forest management and forest use. Some of the Metinfo services are chargeable. In 2007, Metla’s website had visitors from 709,819 different IP addresses. This amount corresponds to the level of the previous year. The traffic load on Metla’s website considerably increased from 2006 (547 GB), to 724 gigabytes.
800 700 600 500
Kävijöitä eri verkko-osoitteis
400
Siirretty dataa (Gt)
300 200 Visitors from different IP addresses (x1000)
100
The traffic load (GB)
0 2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
41
Picture metadata: Amerikkalaisten metsänhoitajien retkeily Rooman metsäkongressin jälkeen. American timber and paper experts visiting Finland. Kesäkuu 1926. The party included Professor C.A. Schenck of the Missoule University, Montana, Professor Franklin Moon, of the Suracuse University, New York, Professor George W. Heavy, Oregon, Professor Robert Craig, Chief of the Forestry Research Work in U.S.A.,Mr P.Z.Caverhill, Chief of the State Forestry Administration in British Columbia, Mr. Lincoln Houge, Chief for Forestry Administration in Mississippi, Mr. Ino D.Guthrie, Ass. Chief of Forestry Administration in Washington an Oregon States, Mr.E.C. Hirst former Chief of Forestry Administration in New Hampshire, and Mr. William Robinson Brown, Chairman of Forestry Comission in New Hampshire. Ryhmä Punkaharjun lehtikuusikossa, toinen vasemmalta A.K. Cajander, reunimmaisena oikealla metsäteknikko Emil Siira. Paikka ja aika: Punkaharju, kesäkuu 1926. Originaali 9x12 lasinegatiivi Kuvaaja: Olli Heikinheimo Kuvan arkistotunnus: 016(1631)A1-226
42
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
Metla’s photo-archive At the beginning of 2008 Metla’s photo- archive contained more than 50,000 photographs. The oldest ones date back to the early 1900s and were taken by the researchers of those days . Photographs make it easier to pattern the development and changes that have occurred in Finnish forests and forest research. They also help to understand the different phenomena of forest nature and the realization and results of forest research.
Pictures of nature, people and research The core of the archive consists of thousands of images of Finnish forests and forest nature. There are landscape panoramas, pictures of dense forests, and detailed images of plants and animals. Changing seasons, different geographic locations, angles of view and lighting conditions bring variety and liveliness to the pictures.
Photographs also serve research purposes: they are used to document the progress of research, they serve as research material, they help to illustrate the research and interpret the results.
Archiving Approximately a third of the images are in digital form. There are several types of originals; different-sized diafilms, b/w negatives/paper and glass negatives. Physically the photographs are archived in compliance with the guidelines of the National Board of Antiquities to guarantee preservation. Archiving is implemented using the FotoStation archiving software. Meta data is available on all photographs in the archiving system, such as the date and place, subject name, keywords, photographer, etc. For some of the images, the actual image file (digital images, scanned images) is included in the system. The image information makes searching and choosing them flexible and easy.
Reasons for use of the photographs The pictures stored in Metla’s photo-archive are widely used for Metla’s own purposes in publications, presentations and various communicational needs. The pictures are available also for other users; a fee is charged for use depending on the intended use and its extent. Contact information: Erkki Oksanen ph. +358 50-3912042 E-mail:
[email protected] Internet: www.metla.fi/palvelut/av/index.htm
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
43
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
Metla/Leena Kärkkäinen
44
Events During 2007 Metla and its collaboration partners organized several dozen events, seminars and meetings. The list below contains just a few examples: The main event of the 90th anniversary of the Finnish Forest Research Institute was arranged in conjunction with the Forest Days held in Helsinki in March. A jubilee seminar with a thematic topic “Innovations from Forest” was held on Tuesday, March 20th. The seminar topics covered utilization of wood-based products in, for example, food and pharmaceutical industries and as an energy source. Requirements on forest management caused by recreational uses of forests were also covered, as well as utilizing forest tree biotechnologies in order to improve productivity of forests. The research consortium “Specific Properties, Competitive Ability and Advanced Conversion of Nordic Pine in Mechanical Wood Processing” was completed in spring 2007. In May, the consortium’s closing seminar was held in Lahti, arranged jointly by Metla and the Finnish-Swedish research programme Wood Material Science and Engineering. The research was conducted at Metla’s Joensuu Research Unit, SLU Forest Products and Markets and the Departments of Forest Economics of the University of Helsinki. The most important industrial objective was to improve the competitive position of Nordic pine in the wood product industry markets. The results of the research and their application possibilities were introduced in the closing seminar. In August Metla and the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) organized jointly a symposium on Integrative Science for Integrative Management. Forest researchers from around the world came together at Saariselkä. The theme of the conference was the integration of forestry and forest resources and its visibility. Presentations on this topic were given, for example, from the perspectives of sus-
tainable forestry, forest policies and recreational tourism. During the conference, a kick-off meeting for the new “Task Force on Forests and Human Health, ForHealth” programme was also held at Saariselkä. Metla’s Director General Hannu Raitio is the coordinator of the task force. The objective is to increase the cross-sectoral dialogue between the different players in the field. More information on the task force is available at www.forhealth.fi/pmwiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main. HomePage. The Matsutake seminar at Kihniö between 23-25 of September contained presentations on matsutake research in Finland and Japan and experiences in Finland and Sweden about exporting matsutake to Japan. Matsutake is a very highly regarded mushroom in Japan. The country’s own matsutake harvests have plummeted, and 95 per cent of the matsutakes sold in Japan are imported. During autumn 2007 Finland has also gained its first experiences of exporting matsutake to Japan. Metla is studying the presence of matsutake in Finland. The closing seminar of the ”Towards progressive forest sector in Northwest Russia” research consortium was held in November. Among the topics considered was how the new Russian Federation Forest Code will affect the forest sector of Russia and the operators in the Finnish forest sector. The seminar also addressed the impact of decreased roundwood imports on employment in Finland as well as the state of Russian forests today and prospects for their utilization. More information on these events can be retrieved at www.metla.fi/tapahtumat/indexen.htm.
The first local forestry plan of Finland was published in December, 2007. It was made by the local residents in close cooperation with scientists and other expert.
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
45
Metla 90 years on November 24, 2007 A.K. Cajander, researcher of peatland forests, director general for Finland’s Forest and Park Service , docent, later professor in forestry, director general of Metsähallitus, Prime Minister in three different Finnish governments, played a major role when the Finnish Forest Research Institute was established. Cajander is still internationally recognized as the founder of the forest site type classification based on the ground level flora bearing his name. The Forestry Experimental Institute was founded based on a statute in October 1917 amid the dramatic events of the Russian revolution year. However, Finland’s independence and the major changes in government delayed the initiation of operations until the following summer, July 1, 1918. Over the period 1922–1928 forests from different climatic zones throughout the country were transferred to the management of the Forestry Experimental Institute. Extensive experimental operations were started on these plots and thanks to them, Finland is now able to boast some of the longest-running series of experiments in the world. This may well arise as an unforeseen benefit in the 2000s, as materials for comparative studies are needed for climate research, for example. In 1929, an Act was provided to transfer the Forestry Experimental Institute from Metsähallitus to stand as an independent research institute under direct control of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
1920 46
1930
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
1940
The Finnish forest paradox According to the 10th national forest inventory the volume of growing stock in Finland is 2.19 billion cubic metres, and the annual increment is 98.5 million cubic metres. The landmark of 100 million, once considered unthinkable, is now within sight. This achievement is based on skilful forest management supported by research-based knowledge, good administration and forest policies that have largely been successful. Thanks to these, compared with the early 1950s, the mean annual increment of the growing stock has increased by 76 percent and the growing stock volume by 41 percent. This has led to a situation that could be called the Finnish forest paradox: Finland is one of the leading suppliers of forest products, but yet we preserve the most extensive forest cover in Europe. The paradox has an explanation in that skilful and effective forestry based on forest research is not a hindrance to forest protection but in indeed, a precondition. In the parts of the world where forestry is handled inefficiently and with poor knowledge, the lack of efficiency is replaced with volume, which then overrides all other forms of forest use. Metla is currently running several studies to search for new ways to promote the integration of different forms of forest use. Good forestry practices involve not only economic but also cultural values and taking into account social activities and functionality within the local communities. It is also essential to view things using a sufficiently long time scale.
1950
1960
Research meeting the needs of society Metla’s focus areas of research are forest-based enterprise and business activities, the social impact of forests, the structure and functions of forest ecosystems and information reserves of forestry and the forest environment. In addition, Metla’s role as a state authority involves a number of official duties, including implementation of the National Forest Inventory (NFI), Forest statistics and Metinfo - forest information services, as well as monitoring of forest pests and assessment of greenhouse gases in accordance with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UN FCCC). Furthermore, extensive research is performed into the impacts of climate change and preventive measures against them. The ongoing 10th NFI has revealed the disturbing fact that tending of seedling stands and first thinnings are being delayed. Metla warns that in the long run, this practice represents a risk to the currently positive development of forest resources. The success of Finnish forestry has been based on good forest management practices, which consists of correctly timed and performed thinnings.
Good aspects for the future Although many people perceive forestry as being part of the past and representing low technology, it has been quietly but strongly developing with the times; for example, wood harvesting chains have long utilized satellite positioning and mobile data transition
1970
1980
systems. Almost unnoticed, the field of forestry has become a high-technology sector where information technology applications are efficiently exploited. The priorities of the forest cluster research strategy themes include “smart wood and fibre products”, taking forestry to the vanguard of research relating to the modern ubiquitous society. In the ubiquitous society intelligence is brought into products, perhaps in their packaging, such that, for example, a sausage package “knows” when its “best before” date has expired and informs the merchant and the customer. The discussion on climate has confirmed the understanding that forests comprise an invaluable natural resource for mankind. Forests provide us with ecosystem services and, among other things, serve as carbon sinks for the planet. Wood is one of the rare truly renewable natural resources; its use is based on the recycling of carbon, while the use of fossil fuels inevitably strengthen the greenhouse effect. Working together with other players in the field, Metla is conducting research, and developing new forms of wood use, ranging from bioenergy to wood chemistry, wooden-frame construction and wood industry. Every product based on fossil raw materials that can be replaced with wood-based material takes us one step forward on the road to a healthier natural economy. The Finnish Forest Research Institute is heading towards another new decade in a difficult financial situation, yet with a spirit of optimism. After all, in the midst of all turmoil, forests embrace sustainable values that will call for forest research also in the future.
1990
2000
Metsäntutkimuslaitos 2007
47
Resources and their use Operational efficiency
Actual 2005
Total operational costs 1000€
Actual 2006 Actual 2007
53 054
55 602
54 521
tion of research results
41 236
42 589
42 989
State authority and information services
10 494
11 625
10 142
1 424
1 388
1 390
By core process Production, acquisition and implementa-
Research services funded by clients
Permanent staff on December 31, 2007
Management
14
Researchers
246
Specialists
25
Technology
95
IT
45
office
76
Laboratory
46
Support for research Service & maintenance
26
Total
702
Staff, total
854
Fixed term
124
Subsidized
28
Doctorates among total staff
48
129
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
172
Allocation of funds to different processes in 2006 and 2007 2%
2% 3% 14%
13% 27%
12%
2%
14%
Research Research support activities State authority and information service Research services funded by clients Management Internal services
28%
14%
42% 2% 3%
4%
39%
4% 2006
2007
13% 27%
28%
14%
42%
39%
Research Research support activities State authority and information services Research services funded by clients Management Internal services
Allocation of funds to different focus areas in 2006 and 2007 2007
2006 30000
Tutkimus Tutkimuksen tuki Viranomaispalvelut Asiakasrahoitteinen toiminta Johtaminen Sisäiset palvelut
25000
20000
15000
10000
5000
0
2007
2006
Not defined
2007
2006
2007
2006
Forest-based enter- Social impact of prise and business forests activities
2007
2006
The structure and functioning of forest ecosystems
2007
2006
2007
2006
Information Not included in reserves for forestry Metla’s current focus and the forest areas environment
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
49
50
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
Management Board 1.3.2006–28.2.2009 Timo Kekkonen, chair, Director, Confederation of Finnish Industries, EK Marja Hilska- Aaltonen, vice chair, Counsellor of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Forestry Saara Bäck, professor, Finland’s environmental administration Reivo Järvenpää, Director, The Union of Forest Owners, southern Finland Markku Karlsson, Technology director, UPM-Kymmene Hannu Raitio, professor, Director General, Finnish Forest Research Institute (Metla) Ritva Toivonen, Research Director, Pellervo Economic Research Institute (PTT) Aili Tuimala, Researcher, Staff representative, Finnish Forest Research Institute (Metla) The Management Board had 10 meetings year 2007.
Management Group from 1.3.2006–28.2.2009 (EME2502) Professor, Director General Hannu Raitio, chair Research Director Leena Paavilainen Research Director Pasi Puttonen Director of Services Kristiina Borg Forestry engineer Aimo Jokela Head of Communications Erkki Kauhanen (starting 1 of May, 2007) The Management Group had 5 meetings year 2007.
SAB (Scientific Advisory Board) Pasi Puttonen, chair, professor, Research Director, Finnish Forest Research Institute (Metla) Darius M. Adams, professor, Department of Forest Resources, Oregon State University, USA Anatoly Petrov, professor, All-Russian Institute of Continuous Education in Forestry, Russia Luc E. Pâques, professor, INRA, France Jagmohan S. Maini, PhD, Canada Kjell Danell, professor, SLU, Sweden Metla’s Scientific Advisory Board convened at the Parkano Research Unit 21.-23.5.2007. The members of SAB discussed current issues conserning Metla’s research and operational environment, Metla’s strategy and international strategy plan.
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
51
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Management Board
State authority and information services Research services funded by clients
Finnish Forest Research Institute Unioninkatu 40 A FI-00170 HELSINKI Phone: p. +358 10 2111 Fax. +358 10 211 2101 Internet: www.metla.fi/ e-mail:
[email protected]
52
Finnish Forest Research Institute 2007
s
Strategic planning and management Research support activities Internal services
interes t g r oup
C
Production, acquisition and implementation of research results
d ts an ien
ts lien
Research Units
Cl
and interest gro up s
Director General
EDITORIAL STAFF Metla’s Communications dept. LAYOUT Jouni Hyvärinen PHOTOS Metla’s photo-archive/Erkki Oksanen (unless mentioned otherwise)
