Governance of forests and governance of forest information: Interlinkages in the age of open and digital data
Salla Rantala, Brent Swallow, Riikka Paloniemi, Elina Raitanen
Abstract
Policy processes to open digital forest data and information are driven by expectations of increased effectiveness and efficiency of forest management, greater transparency of forest decision making, development of new innovations, and transition to bioeconomy. We investigate how interlinkages between the governance of forest information and governance of forests are being reshaped in the formation of new institutions for open data and information in the case of Finland, where the Forest Information Act was revised in 2016–2018. A qualitative content analysis of public statements related to the legal reform was conducted to understand the perceived benefits and risks associated with more open forest data and information by different actors, and how those perceptions shape their views on appropriate governance of forest information. The analysis reveals conflicts between right to information and right to privacy; concerns about data format, access and usability; as well as the interests of actors with entrenched positions in Finnish forest governance. The debate on opening forest information reflects tensions related to a transition towards greater openness and diversity of values in the forest sector. We envision further research on the relationship between the governance of forests and governance of forest information to support informed decision making during the current open data boom.