Remote Analysis for Älvdalen and Särna-Idre Besparingsskogar in Dalarna

Background

Arbonaut and MW Forest Sense, a subsidiary of MW Group, carried out a remote sensing analysis of the forests owned by Älvdalen and Särna-Idre Besparingsskogar in Dalarna, Sweden.

The project covered 130,000 hectares and combined multiple data sources to create a comprehensive picture of forest conditions.

Älvdalen and Särna-Idre Besparingsskogar were among the earliest adopters of high-resolution laser scanning, first implementing it as far back as 2007.

Älvdalen and Särna-Idre Besparingsskogar turned to Arbonaut and MW Forest Sense as specialists in remote sensing services tailored to institutional forest owners and forest companies. The combined approach spans the entire value chain.

Solution

The forests were scanned at high resolution for the second time in the summer and fall of 2023. The processing and visualization of the remote-sensing data enabled:

  • Up-to-date forest registers
  • Identification of optimal harvesting timing
  • Clear insights on nature values and carbon sinks
  • Better understanding of terrain conditions and management needs

“Some said we had the first project with high-resolution laser in the world, and now we are taking a new innovation step,” — Håkan Lissman, System Coordination & Raw Materials Manager, Särna‑Idre Besparingsskogar

Volume of tree polygons

Volume m³

Tree-level inventory of trees standing in a specific forest area.
Deadwood cluster mapping

Deadwood mapping

Clusters of dead trees in the area.
Cleaning needs analysis

Tending needs

For young stands of 5-meter height or shorter based on urgency.

The analysis gives Älvdalen and Särna‑Idre Besparingsskogar a robust, data‑driven understanding of forests, both as an economic resource and as an important landscape for biodiversity. This aligns closely with the Besparingsskogar model of long‑term, sustainable, community‑focused forest management.

About Älvdalen and Särna-Idre Besparingsskogar

Älvdalen and Särna-Idre Besparingsskogar are prime examples of sustainable and large-scale forest management. The forests are operated with great consideration for forest ecosystems and include in-house hydroelectric power production. The profits generated from the operations are reinvested back into the community in the form of contributions. The primary objective of the forestry operations in Besparingsskogar is to manage the forest sustainably and with a long-term perspective, ensuring a healthy return on investment for the stakeholders.