Sweden's total area covered by applications and notifications in March for the whole country amounted to 16,031 hectares, which was almost 21% less than in March 2021. A total of 4,307 notifications and applications were received. Of these, 24 applied for permits for final felling of 486 hectares montane forests, which was just over 46% less than in March last year, according to the Swedish Forest Agency.
In 12 counties, the decreases were over 30%, with the largest decreases in Gotland, Jönköping and Kalmar counties, compared with March 2021. On the other hand, Västernorrland and Västerbotten counties showed large increases (75% and 35%, respectively).
In total, the area covered by notifications and applications decreased in March by 37% in Götaland compared with March last year. The area decreased by 66%in Gotland County and by 51% and 47% respectively in Jönköping and Kalmar counties. In Svealand, the area decreased by 24%, where the largest decreases were in Dalarna and Uppsala County (44% and 39%, respectively). In Södra Norrland, the decrease was 12%. However, the differences were large between the counties, where the area in Gävleborg and Jämtland counties decreased by 40% and 33%, respectively, while the area in Västernorrland increased by 75%.
In Västerbotten, the area increased by 35%, which gave an increase for Norra Norrland by 17% compared to March 2021.
During January to March, notifications and applications for permits for final felling have decreased by 10% compared with the same period last year. Applications for permits for final felling of montane forests have decreased by 57%.
In Götaland, the notified and applied area has decreased by 25% and in Södra Norrland the area has decreased by 12% compared to March 2021. In Svealand the area is unchanged and in Northern Norrland the notified and applied area has increased by 11%.
