Role of recreation in social sustainability of forestry and use of natural resource

Tuija Sievänen

Abstract

This article discusses social sustainability in the context of recreational use of natural resources and forestry. The concept of social sustainability is looked from different viewpoints such as equity, locality and rights of use. Important issues are the quality and management of recreational environment. The recreational use of natural resources is divided into two categories: nature-based recreation by local people and nature-based tourism. The focus of the discussion is on the problems in the Nordic countries.

Keywords: nature tourism, land-use rights, accessibility, local communities, values, Nordic countries.

Author's address: Finnish Forest Research Institute, Helsinki Research Centre, Unioninkatu 40 A, FIN-00170 Helsinki, Finland, Fax +358 9 5705 717, Email tuija.sievanen@metla.fi.