A global boreal forest network for nature-based solutions

Based on five years of work in mapping and performing extensive targeted field inventory of the most natural primary forest relics in Sweden our recent research shows that Swedish primary forests store vastly more carbon (C) than previously estimated.

Our results show that primary forests store twice the C of managed forests, a difference between managed and primary forest C storage that is 6 to 17 times larger than existing estimates. Old-growth and primary forests in Sweden are being logged at a rapid rate and converted to managed forests. This trend appears common across northern forests globally but remains poorly studied and monitored.

However, we do not know if primary to managed forest conversions leads to comparable C losses across the global north.

To address this knowledge gap, a project extending the Swedish research to the global north aims to assess land use induced losses of C, ecosystem stability and biodiversity.

The project will collaborate with partners in the USA, Canada, China, and Australia, to establish a monitoring and inventory network in the most natural and representative primary forests in each region.

Utilizing advanced analysis tools and unique targeted data the project seeks to provide precise assessments of forest conversion impacts and potential nature-based solutions for climate change and biodiversity loss.

If the Swedish results are replicated across the global north it will transform our understanding of northern land use impacts.