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Abstract
The framework of Ecosystem Goods and Services, introduced by Millenium Ecosystem
Assessment has entered as a key linkage between ecosystems and human well-being. This paper
introduces and briefly analyses developments and state of affairs in Finland’s forest and
environmental policies and the ways the new emphasis on ecosystem services is so far
documented in the strategies and policies related to forests and environment. Some attention is
given to international and domestic reasons in this development, including a recent downturn
of pulp and paper industries. The international changes from the ”narrow ” biodiversity focus
to broader ecosystem services approach are already being taken into account in prospecting
Finland’s environmental policies. Comparing to the earlier “environmental turn” in forestry,
one may call this as an ongoing “socio-economic turn” in biodiversity based environmental
policies in Finland. Ecosystem goods and services will also play important roles in the larger
economic, ecological and social frames called as ‘green economy’, ‘green growth’ and
‘bioeconomy’, outlined in some strategic reports. All these reasons, backed by the longer term
or more recent development towards multiple-use, environmentally benign forestry and
integrated natural resource management, may facilitate an active adaptation towards
ecosystem goods and services framework in Finland’s forestry. Consequently, an increased
convergence and improved integration of forest and environmental policies within ecosystem
services and other supporting frameworks, may result in policy changes which can be called as
paradigmatic. Yet this preliminary conclusion requires better evidence and more detailed
analysis – and the process itself more time to be consolidated.