Rocky pine forests in the High Coast Region in Sweden: structure, dynamics and history

Rocky pine forests in Sweden's High Coast Region exhibit old-growth characteristics with low human impact, featuring diverse tree structures, frequent fires every 40 years, and dead wood dating back over 300 years. These forests, representing a regionally common yet understudied natural forest type, were analyzed through measurements of tree sizes, ages, fire scars, and dead wood volumes across eight sites. The study found sparse but varied tree layers with some trees exceeding 300 years in age, alongside low but ecologically significant dead wood volumes (4.4 m³/ha). Fires, primarily occurring between 1500-1900, were often small-scale and site-specific. These findings underscore the forests' naturalness and value as habitats for sun-exposed dead wood-dependent organisms, suggesting that restoration fires could be a viable management strategy while protecting existing dead wood.

Sandström, J., Edman, M., & Jonsson, B. G. (2020). Rocky pine forests in the High Coast Region in Sweden: structure, dynamics and history. Nature Conservation, 38, 101–130. https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.38.34870