Metsäsuunnitteluprosessin kehittäminen : yksityismetsien suunnittelutoiminta ja sen historiallinen kehitys muutoksen suuntaajana

Abstract

Developing the forest planning process – changes directed by the planning practices and their historical development in non-industrial private forests. The planning system for Finnish non-industrial private forests has based on regional inventory since 1970s. The inventory system has been compartmental field inventory covering one region at a time. Holding-level management plan is produced for such forest owners who are willing to pay for it. Forestry Centres have been the main organization producing the plans. At the moment there is undergoing an organization reform. In addition, the methods and information system for the planning are changing. The aim of this study is to promote the renewal in forest planning process so that it takes into consideration social aspects and learning together with technical changes. Forest planning is examined from the point of view of the practical planning work, as an activity of forestry professionals. The historical development of planning activity is included. The study is multidisciplinary, qualitative research applying ideas of developmental work research (DWR) and expansive learning. Data of sub-studies consist of written papers, interviews and active developmental sessions. Qualitative content analysis assisted by NVivo software was used. The guidelines of planning work are uniform in whole country. Communicating with the forest owner means marketing, enquiring objectives and advising. Co-operation with stakeholders is related to marketing and information exchange. The information produced in forest planning process is broadly utilized in planning of practical forestry operations. Official data transfer and informal enquiries are important in information exchange. The planners have two competing objects for the planning activity: the forest and the forest owner. The knowledge and the behavior of the forest owner is object of the work, the aim is to produce benefits for the owner. At the same time preserving or improving the productiveness of forest is another object. This means enhancing ―good silviculture‖ according to forest management guidelines – aiming at well managed forest. The action in the forest and satisfied forest owner are motivating factors for the planner. Also the collective motivation originating from societal wellbeing through forestry is strong. The development of forest planning should be towards more customer-oriented and genuinely multi-objective planning. Also enhancing co-operation between operators is essential. The present regional inventory based planning model does not support these aims. The forest owner and services for him/her should be more on the focus as object of planning activity. Dividing present planning system into informing system and consultative decision support clarifies the planning activity. Focusing on the forest owner and services is essential. The cooperative development of new mode of forest planning must continue.