We maintain clean waters

Natural water systems are
valuable both for people and environment

Water is a necessity for life and therefore recognised as a fundamental part of our sustainable forest management and the Forest Action responsibility programme. Natural water systems are valuable in many respects both for people and environment and we must preserve them in good condition. Aquatic habitats in forests are key biotopes, significant for biodiversity. Clean surface waters support aquatic biodiversity and the wellbeing of human communities. Groundwater reserves are an important source of drinking water.

Forests play essential part in hydrological cycles. Trees consume big volumes of water during their growth. Water, taken from forest soil by trees, gets purified and evaporated back to atmosphere. A Finnish forest stand, size of a tennis court, purifies over 8 million litres of water during its life cycle. Forests regulate surface runoffs slowing down water streams, preventing erosion and binding nutrients and soil particles. Forests have therefore important role in safeguarding water quality.

Forestry and water

Forestry can have impacts on water. Our sustainable forest management strategy prevents negative impacts and maintains the water-regulating ecosystem services provided by forests.

Water protection has gained importance in forestry over the decades, and this progress will continue into the future. The basic requirements are laid down in legislation, forest certification standards, and in recommendations and guidelines issued by authorities and forestry organisations. Based on research and follow-up of best practices, we are constantly working to improve our water protection efforts. 

We use a broad array of solutions for managing the impact of forestry on water resources. We leave untouched buffer zones along water courses and aquatic habitats. Excavation breaks and infiltration fields are among the structural solutions we apply in soil preparation and drainage. The main idea is to prevent leaching from the harvest area and to purify solid particles and nutrients before runoff enters any water system. We minimize runoffs by utilizing the vegetation’s own ability to absorb water and, where needed, we add any necessary buffer zones. We follow separate guidelines for groundwater areas, which include restrictions on fertilizing and ditching. 

Our plantations in Uruguay are established in areas where sufficient water supply is available. We do not establish plantations in water stressed regions. Our impacts on water resources are constantly monitored at selected measurement points.