EU Forest Growth Outpaces Harvesting, But Ecosystem Concerns Linger
Forest wood production is considered sustainable when the amount of wood harvested annually is less than the forest’s natural growth rate. In 2023, 23 EU countries demonstrated this sustainability, with Romania, Sweden, and Poland showing the highest positive difference between growth and removals. Only Estonia recorded a deficit, with removals exceeding growth, leading to a decrease in available timber. This measurement, which accounts for intentionally harvested wood, provides a key indicator of sustainable forestry practices.
John Q. Hosedrinker