Global Supply Outlook - Russia, 1995 Global Fiber Supply Symposium Proceedings

Sten Nilsson

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

The exploitation of the forests in European Russia already started during the 11th century. During the period from 1696- 1914 a steady decrease of the forest cover occurred in the European part of Russia (1696 - 52.7%, 1725 - 51.2%, 1861 - 42.3% and 1914 - 35.2%) (Nilsson et al., 1992, Pisarenko and Strakhov, 1995). During the 17th century, factories were established requiring wood and charcoal for their production. A steady increase of the population during the 18th and 19th centuries forced an expansion of the arable land. The clearing of the forests in European Russia amounted to 200,000-230,000 hectares annually during the 17th century. During the period 1862 and 1888 the rate of clearing was some 900,000 hectares per year (Pisarenko and Strakhov, 1995). During the 20th century the forest cover has recovered in the European part and constitutes nearly 40% today Nilsson et al., 1992).