The Lithuanian forest sector: Resources and forest management

Abstract

This study provides a synthesis and integrated interpretation of recent official data on forest resources and forest management in Lithuania, aiming to present a concise, policy-relevant overview of long-term development trends suitable for international scientific and policy audiences. The analysis draws primarily on data from the National Forest Inventory, the State Forest Cadastre, official forestry statistics, and national greenhouse gas inventories, ensuring methodological consistency and comparability over time. Key indicators examined include forest area and growing stock dynamics, stand structure and species composition, forest condition, biodiversity-related proxies, carbon sequestration, and ownership patterns. Results show a steady increase in forest land area and growing stock volume over recent decades, accompanied by a relatively stable average stand age. Structural diversity has gradually increased, as reflected in rising age-class diversity, a growing abundance of large-diameter trees, and accumulating deadwood volumes. Lithuanian forests continue to function as a net carbon sink within the LULUCF sector, although sequestration rates have stabilised in recent years. Forest ownership structure plays an important role in shaping management patterns, with coordinated management in state forests contrasting with more heterogeneous structures in private and restitution-reserved forests. Overall, the results show that Lithuanian forests combine increasing resource availability with improved structural characteristics, while facing common challenges related to climate change, biodiversity conservation, and governance across diverse ownership regimes. The study additionally demonstrates the value of synthesis-oriented analyses for transforming extensive official forestry statistics into scientifically interpretable and policy-relevant information.

Key words: Lithuanian forests; forest resources; National Forest Inventory; growing stock; forest structure; biodiversity indicators; carbon sequestration; forest ownership; sustainable forest management