Over the past century, Norway has transformed its forests from a state of severe depletion to a thriving resource. Through systematic efforts marked by the Norwegian Forest Inventory (NFI), Norway has tripled its forest volume, making it a global example of successful forest management. This post explores Norway’s journey and outlines practical steps Tanzania can take to enhance its own forest conservation efforts.
Norway’s Journey to Forest Restoration
The historical background described here is drawn from Norwegian publications that were released to commemorate the anniversaries of the National Forest Inventory (NFI) and the organizations that managed it at the time.
Reports of local forest overexploitation date back to the 16th century, a time when the first laws regulating timber exports and the establishment of sawmills were also enacted. In addition to timber being widely used in construction, large amounts of firewood were needed for household use and dairy production on alpine summer farms in many regions. The grazing of domestic animals near these summer farms further contributed to local forest degradation and even lowered the tree line compared to its current level . Charcoal played a crucial role as an energy source in Norway’s early industries, particularly in mining and the processing of iron, copper, and silver.
To protect forest regeneration, high-grading was implemented as the forest management practice, where harvesting trees below a certain diameter was strictly prohibited. Due to the high demand for timber, the fastest-growing trees were often harvested first, which may have led to slower forest growth over time. High-grading remained the dominant management regime when Barth (1916) published a significant article predicting the decline of the Norwegian forests, estimating that harvest levels were 29% higher than the forest’s growth.
The idea of obtaining national forest statistics dates back to 1737, when Norway’s first forest administration was established. However, the Danish-Norwegian king, ruling from Copenhagen, lacked the commitment to implement such a pioneering task. In the 19th century, population growth, the lifting of sawmilling restrictions in the 1860s, and a burgeoning pulpwood industry increased timber demand and led to local shortages. This growing use of forest resources generally occurred without an understanding of whether the harvests were sustainable, although some efforts were made to estimate volume increments and removals. These estimates, however, were not authoritative due to unknown uncertainties, and the need for better forest statistics was frequently expressed by the forest administration.
While the history of local forest management inventories in Norway remains unclear, there is a documented case from the municipality of Åmot. In 1907, an inventory was initiated using 0.1 ha sample plots that were subjectively placed in representative stands. By 1909, the method shifted to strip sampling to complete the inventory of the northern part of the municipality. During a 1909 meeting of the Swedish Forestry Association on methods of gathering information on forest volume and increment across Sweden, participants from the Åmot inventory shared their experiences. Swedish representatives also visited Åmot around this time and later conducted an inventory of Värmland county in 1911–1912 as a pilot for all of Sweden.
The Norwegian State Forest Inventory (SFI) was responsible for conducting forest management inventories of state-owned forests in Norway and began using strip sampling around 1914. Nicolay Rygg, the director of Statistics Norway, had long sought more reliable information on Norwegian forest resources. After meeting with SFI experts in 1915, where he learned about the Värmland inventory in Sweden and the SFI’s experiences in Norway, Rygg, along with SFI experts, developed a preliminary plan for an NFI in Norway. He presented this plan to Prime Minister Gunnar Knudsen, whose positive response led to funding for developing a detailed plan and budget for the NFI as a governmental institution, which was subsequently approved by parliamentary decision on 13 June 1917.
The Norwegian Forest Inventory (NFI), established in 1919, is the oldest national forest inventory program globally. Norway began by mapping all forest resources to address the severe deforestation that had occurred over centuries. This comprehensive data collection was crucial in understanding the state of the forests and planning effective restoration measures.
Norway’s success in forest restoration can be attributed to several key strategies. The NFI conducted detailed surveys every five years, providing essential data on forest conditions. This information guided restoration and management efforts. The country maintained a balance between timber harvesting and forest growth, ensuring that the forests regenerated naturally while still supporting the economy. Norway also implemented large-scale reforestation efforts, planting new trees and closely monitoring forest health to ensure continuous growth. Additionally, the integration of modern technology, including satellites and drones, enhanced the ability to monitor forest conditions and manage resources effectively. These strategies have resulted in a significant increase in forest volume, from 300 million cubic meters in 1920 to nearly 1 billion cubic meters today.
The Current State of Tanzania’s Forests
Tanzania’s forests and woodlands cover approximately 38.8 million hectares, accounting for about 40.4% of the country’s land area. These forests are vital for biodiversity conservation, water regulation, and carbon storage. However, Tanzania faces significant challenges, including a high deforestation rate, land degradation, and insufficient data for forest management.
The country loses approximately 469,000 hectares of forest each year, mainly due to agricultural expansion, logging, and charcoal production. Tanzania is home to diverse forest types, including montane, lowland, and mangrove forests, as well as extensive miombo woodlands that play a crucial role in supporting local livelihoods. Forests contribute significantly to Tanzania’s economy, providing resources for industries, energy for households, and income through non-timber forest products like honey and medicinal plants. However, the pressure on these resources is intense, leading to unsustainable exploitation and environmental degradation.
Practical Steps for Tanzania to Enhance Forest Conservation
Establishing a national forest inventory similar to Norway’s would benefit Tanzania. Regular monitoring and comprehensive data collection would provide critical insights into the state of the forests, enabling informed management decisions and effective restoration efforts. Sustainable forest management practices should be also prioritized to ensure that timber harvesting does not exceed the natural regeneration capacity of the forests. This approach will help maintain forest cover while supporting economic activities.
Active reforestation is essential, and Tanzania should initiate extensive tree planting programs, focusing on both degraded and non-degraded areas. Involving local communities in these efforts will be key to their success. The integration of modern technologies, such as remote sensing and drones, will improve Tanzania’s ability to monitor forest conditions, detect illegal activities, and plan restoration efforts effectively. Strengthening forest-related policies and ensuring their strict enforcement is also necessary. Addressing land tenure issues, providing incentives for sustainable management, and enforcing existing laws will be crucial in protecting and expanding Tanzania’s forests.
