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Timber demand is threatening Sweden's ancient forests

Christian Blenker in Sweden
February 6, 2026

Activist Sebastian Kirppu's message is clear: Protect the forest. He's criticizing Sweden's timber industry for disregarding the forests' complex ecosystem. Could further reforestation help?

https://p.dw.com/p/57ld4

Ancient forests in Sweden are under threat. Activist Sebastian Kirppu shows how rare species like the "Lappticka" mushroom depend on untouched ecosystems thousands of years old.

But large-scale clear‑cutting and monoculture replanting are reducing biodiversity. Researchers warn that natural forests could disappear if logging continues.