Variation of land designated for forestry purposes in Kaunas county during 2000-2009

Abstract

It is planned that in future forest areas will only increase due to the possibility to use European Union finance support provided by the Rural Development Programme for the period of 2007-2013 ,,Afforestation of the land designated for agricultural purposes" by afforesting less favourable for farming agricultural fanning land areas. In order to ensure the balanced development of forest sector, satisfy needs of various society groups as well as to ensure forest conservation to future generations (taking into consideration the differences of the forms of ownership and interplay), the long-term policy of forest sector is being formed in Lithuania. In order to analyse factors influencing the variation of forest areas authors analysed the variation of land areas designated for forestry purposes in Kaunas county. Lands designated for forestry purposes make up 30.2% of the total land fund of the Republic of Lithuania. Private lands designated for forestry purposes make up 9.9%. and state lands - 20.3% of the land fund. Woodness in Kaunas county is 29.5%. From 2000 up to 2009 the woodness had increased by 7201.77 ha, i. e. approx. by 800 ha per year. It is potentially possible to increase woodness in Kaunas county by 3.1%. In future, it is intended to increase woodness up to 33% in order to reach an optimal economical woodness. In the analysed period the areas of the state lands designated for forestry purposes constantly decreased and private land areas - increased. Every year about 4700 ha of state forestry lands are transferred to private ownership. Forest areas are increasing due to the fact that farming land, which is not used in agriculture, is being afforested, land plots are weatherbeaten. Jonava and Kedainiai districts of Kaunas County have the best variation index of the land designated for forestry purposes. During the analysed period it increased by] 3.4% and 2.0%, respectively. In Raseiniai district this index decreased by 1.3%.