Forest management in Finland has undergone fundamental changes during the last 15 years. By the end of the
1980s the criticism against the intensive forest management
practices was aroused among the public debate, and more
and more emphasis was addressed to the environmental
aspects and biodiversity related to forests and forestry.
During the 1990s ecosystem management even replaced
forest management in the vocabulary of foresters. The new
biodiversity oriented principles set to the forestry were also
stated in international agreements, e.g. in the documents of
Helsinki process 1993–1995 (Ministerial Conference,
1993, 1994).