Biodiversity indicators for tree plantations
- plantations in South America
Biodiversity within the plantation area is measured with four indicators: protected areas, restored areas, water quality, and species. The indicators are monitored and reported on this webpage annually. The results give us input for developing our practices and guide our biodiversity management further. We continuously assess and develop the indicators as well as invest in the research to enhance biodiversity management and conservation in the plantations.
Protected areas
50%
Protected areas have been set aside from tree plantations or other development, such as infrastructure, either voluntarily or by legal requirements for the purposes of conservation and/or restoration of biodiversity, ecosystem services, and cultural values. The indicator is reported annually as a percentage of the total land holding in Stora Enso plantation operations in Brazil.
In Brazil, protected areas include voluntary conservation areas as well as Legal Reserve and Permanent Preservation Areas. The latter two are required by law and cover ca. 30% of total protected areas. Voluntary conservation areas are established based on the development stage of native vegetation, topography, and soil type, among others. The area and quality of protected areas are monitored through satellite and/or aerial imagery as well as measurements and inventories in the field. The results are validated by national authorities and/or a forest certification body.
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2022 |
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Protected area, % of total land holding |
50% |
Restored areas
400 ha
Ecological restoration aims at the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. When our joint-venture plantations were established in Brazil in 1991, only a fraction of the original Atlantic rainforest was left in the region following extensive logging and clearing for cattle ranching and sugar cane. Since the plantations were established, Veracel has worked systematically to protect and restore local biodiversity.
Restoration activities include raising and planting over 100 native tree species on degraded areas to connect isolated native forest fragments to each other and protect existing and restored areas from disturbances, such as cattle. The results of restoration activities are monitored through aerial images as well as measurements and inventories in the field. We report both the annual and cumulative area (ha) restored by the company.
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2022 |
Cumulative: 1994-2022 |
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Restored area, ha |
400 |
7937 |
Water quality in plantations
100%
Water quality determines the conditions for aquatic flora and fauna and influences also other ecosystems. In Brazil, water quality is monitored in eucalyptus plantations: samples from the planted areas are compared with water in undisturbed native forests, with the aim that water quality in the planted areas would reflect that of untouched ecosystems.
Both in planted areas and native forests, water samples are collected from permanent sample plots once a year after agrochemicals have been applied close to watersheds in the planted areas. The analysis is based on six parameters, such as dissolved oxygen and solids. The indicator is reported annually as a percentage of those plantation water samples whose quality corresponds to that of native forests.
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2022 |
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Water samples where water quality in planted areas is as good as in native forests, % |
100% |
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Vulnerable, endangered, and endemic species
Species can become vulnerable or endangered due to habitat loss, climate change, invasive species, and over exploitation. Endemic species, such as some birds in the Atlantic rainforest in Brazil, are found only in a specific region and are particularly important for conservation and restoration.
In Brazil, vulnerable, endangered, and endemic species are monitored in the High Conservation Value Areas* on the company lands with different methods to identify, validate, and track their presence. Monitoring is done annually in different parts of the protected area in a way that the whole area is covered in 3-4-year intervals.
The indicator is reported as a share of vulnerable and endangered species out of the total number of tree, bird and mammal species identified. The reporting interval for trees is 4 years and for birds and mammals is 3 years. In addition, we report the share of endemic species out of vulnerable and endangered species.
* High Conservation Value areas are areas that are deemed protected also by FSC certification criteria. In the plantations, Stora Enso and its partners protect voluntarily also other areas than those defined by forest certification standards.
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Vulnerable and endangered |
2022 |
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Trees |
9% (out of which % endemic**) |
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Birds |
4% (100%) |
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Mammals |
19% (80%) |
** To be reported during 2024
Protected areas
42%
Protected areas have been set aside from tree plantation development either voluntarily or by legal requirements for the purposes of conservation and/or restoration of biodiversity, ecosystem services, and cultural values. The indicator is reported annually as a percentage of the total land holding in Stora Enso plantation operations in Uruguay.
In Uruguay, protected areas include voluntary conservation areas and areas conserved due to national legislation, such as wetlands and native forests. The area and quality of High Conservation Value Areas* are monitored through satellite and/or aerial images and measurements and inventories in the field.
* High Conservation Value areas are areas that are deemed protected also by FSC certification criteria. In the plantations, Stora Enso and its partners protect voluntarily also other areas than those defined by forest certification standards.
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2022 |
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Protected area, % of total land holding** |
42% |
** Excludes leased lands with no protected areas managed by Stora Enso plantation operations as they are excluded from lease agreements.
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Restored areas
25 ha
Ecological restoration aims at the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. In Uruguay, the plantations of our joint-venture Montes del Plata have been established on degraded pasturelands which have originally been native grasslands (pampas) and native forests found mainly in river valleys.
The company restores degraded native grasslands and forests by controlling invasive species and managing cattle with fencing. The company also re-introduces threatened native animal species to the protected areas. The results of the restoration activities are monitored through aerial images as well as measurements and inventories in the field. We report the both the annual and cumulative area (ha) restored by the company.
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2022 |
Cumulative: 2009-2022 |
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Restored area, ha |
25 |
173 |
Water quality in plantations
100%
Water quality determines the conditions for aquatic flora and fauna and influences also other ecosystems. In Uruguay, water quality is monitored in six watersheds in eucalyptus plantations, both in planted areas and the areas for biodiversity management. Two samples are collected four times a year per watershed, following the requirements of the national environmental authority (DINACEA).
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2022 |
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Water samples compliant with national water quality requirements, % |
100% |
Vulnerable, endangered, and endemic species
Species can become vulnerable or endangered due to habitat loss, climate change, invasive species, and overexploitation. Endemic species are found only in a specific region and are particularly important for conservation and restoration.
In Uruguay, presence of vulnerable, endangered, and endemic species is monitored in the High Conservation Value Areas* in the company lands by using various methods, such as camera imagery, experts’ field observations in the areas, and audio recordings to identify species by their sounds.
The indicator is reported annually as a share of vulnerable and endangered species out of the total number of tree, bird and mammal species identified. In addition, we report the share of endemic species out of vulnerable and endangered species.
* High Conservation Value areas are areas that are deemed protected also by FSC certification criteria. In the plantations, Stora Enso and its partners protect voluntarily also other areas than those defined by forest certification standards.
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Vulnerable and endangered |
2022 |
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Trees |
0% (out of which 0% endemic) |
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Birds |
8% (0%) |
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Mammals |
65% (0%) |
Biodiversity education hub
Protected areas
In fast-growing tree plantations, the overall land use model and wood production systems resemble more agriculture than forestry. The landscape consists of mosaic of tree plantations and protected areas: short-rotation plantations are only established on areas which have been degraded by land use prior to plantation establishment, such as grazing in Brazil, whereas remaining native ecosystems are set aside for conservation of biodiversity.
These protected areas are crucial for guarding native habitats, ecosystems, and nature values. Special focus is put on safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem services, conserving native species and their habitats, and preserving cultural heritage and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities. Protected areas are also valuable hubs for scientific research, environmental education, and ecotourism.
Restored areas
Ecological restoration is an important action to revive natural ecosystems in areas that have been degraded or damaged by previous land use. Restoration can happen in many ways – for example, through active planting or by removing external factors, such as invasive species or human disturbance, that hinder the recovery of nature on its own.
Stora Enso tree plantation joint-ventures are established in areas which have already been heavily degraded due to intense human influence, such as grazing, over a long time. With their mosaic structures, sustainably managed tree plantations help the recovery of remaining native habitats by managing biodiversity in dedicated areas, stabilizing the land use in the whole mosaic area, and removing external pressures, such as grazing or logging. In addition, the plantation companies actively plant native tree species and reintroduce native fauna to restore the structure and functions of the degraded ecosystems.
Water quality
Water is an essential part of functioning ecosystems. Water quality determines the ecological conditions for aquatic species, with significant influence also on life in the terrestrial ecosystems.
It is essential to protect water resources and understand the hydrological impacts of tree plantations. Plantation management practices, such as soil preparation, harvesting, and agrochemicals may impact water quality unless appropriate mitigation methods are in place. Monitoring of water quality is important to ensure that adverse effects to water quality and consequent impacts to biodiversity are avoided.
Species
Loss of native ecosystems, such as the Atlantic rainforest in Brazil and grasslands (pampas) in Uruguay, have risked the survival of several species. Their protection is of great importance for global biodiversity. Stora Enso tree plantation joint-ventures are established in areas which have been heavily degraded due to intense human influence over long time span. Sustainably managed tree plantations consist of mosaic land use, with areas for biodiversity management, and can thus help the recovery of vulnerable and endangered species by protecting and restoring their habitats.
When vulnerable and endangered species are found in an area, it indicates that their living conditions have degraded. However, the presence of these species can also indicate success of restoration actions in areas where native ecosystems have been lost, when the species are found returning to their former habitats or the decline of their population ceases. Therefore, it’s important to monitor the populations, presence, and appearance/movements of these species. It’s also a valuable indicator to monitor the success of the restoration and conservation actions.