The history of Scandinavian (i.e. Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) forest recreation research during the last 25 years is described. Based on the research, differences in recreational behavior between the countries is pointed out, and attention is drawn to access issues. Finally, the most important future research needs are discussed.
Scandinavian forest recreation research has varied in extent and topics from around 1970 to today. The individual countries have all had their "vigorous" periods as regards research within this field. Sweden and Norway have been the pioneering countries, while Finland and Denmark have had continuous research through the years. Research in forest recreation in Scandinavia until now can be characterized by inventory oriented descriptive studies, with a relatively high proportion of the research focused on mapping the patterns of recreation behavior.
Comparisons of selected recreation topics are made between the countries. These comparisons show similarities as well as differences between the Scandinavian countries. In general, it seems that Norway, Sweden, and Finland have the most in common, while Denmark forms a link between Central Europe and Scandinavia.
In the future, expected research topics are the following: Repeated surveys to identify trends, motives, attitudes and barriers; typologies and profiles of participants in outdoor activities; obtained benefits, both individual and social; effect of management actions, such as interpretation; children's participation/preferences in outdoor recreation; the close-to-home outdoor recreational life; and links between recreation and work life.
For research in the future, it will be important that coordination among the Scandinavian countries takes place to secure the best use of natural resources. Also, collaborative projects should be initiated to make use of larger external sources of knowledge and funding such as from the European Union (EU).
Key words: forest recreation research, Scandinavian comparisons, research perspectives.
Correspondence: Frank Søndergaard Jensen, Danish Forest and Landscape Research Institute, Horsholm Kongevej 9, DK-2970 Horsholm, Denmark
Telefax: +45-45763233
E-mail: kdr@dina.kvl.dk