NEWS If you take a walk around Nydalasjön in Umeå, Sweden, you might notice a forest that looks a little unusual. Between the trees, small clearings form a checkerboard pattern across the landscape. This is not random logging, it is part of a research experiment where scientists are testing a new clear-cut-free method called checkerboard cutting.
The aim is to find forestry methods that balance nature conservation, people’s experience of the forest, and practical needs for timber production.
- We wanted to test a method that considers both production and other forest values, said Fredrik Sjödin, Senior Lecturer at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), during Forest Social (an open lecture series organized by Future Forests at Umeå University).
According to Therese Löfroth, researcher at SLU, clear-cut-free methods like checkerboard cutting can create a more varied forest landscape, which in turn supports more species.
- To reach our environmental goals, we need to increase the amount of dead wood and old trees in our forests. Today’s certification systems do make demands, but the levels are still far below what research shows is needed, Therese explained.
By allowing different parts of the forest to develop at their own pace, checkerboard cutting offers a more dynamic and resilient environment, and one where both plants and animals can thrive.
Forests are not only ecosystems; they are also places where people walk, rest, and reconnect. Victor Göransson, doctoral student at SLU, studies these social dimensions of forestry and how different management practices affect our relationship with the woods.
- A simple path through a harvested area can make all the difference. If the forest still feels accessible and pleasant, people are much more accepting of how it’s managed, Victor said.
His research highlights how forest design can influence mental well-being and our sense of belonging in nature, a reminder that sustainability is about people as much as trees.
Checkerboard cutting is a continuous cover method, and it means harvesting small squares of forest in a grid pattern, leaving a mosaic of open and wooded areas that gradually shift as new patches are harvested. The approach aims to reduce the negative impacts of large clear-cuts while maintaining timber production.
The photo above shows a picture from the presentation of a drone image from the experiment, where the checkerboard pattern in the forest can be seen.
After the presentations, participants joined a thoughtful discussion about the future of forestry. Some pointed out that new methods often gain attention only after disasters, such as severe storms that have damaged monoculture forests in southern Sweden. Others questioned whether certification systems like FSC truly guarantee the environmental care they promise.
The overall message was clear: there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The forestry sector needs a wider range of tools, from patch cutting to selective harvesting, and stronger collaboration between researchers, landowners, and local communities.
The experiment at Nydalasjön is one of several where researchers explore new ways of managing forests for the future. Whether checkerboard cutting will prove to be the ideal balance between biodiversity, recreation, and profitability remains to be seen, but interest is growing, and the conversation shows that there's a need for alternative solutions.
Future Forests at Umeå University will now end the Forest Social lectures series, where researchers and the public met to discuss the changing role of forests in society. To learn more about clear-cut-free experiments and ongoing research, visit .
Text and photo: Anngelica Kristoferqvist
