Forests - Europe The Last Ancient Forests of Europe combine
Europe's few remaining tracts of ancient forest in Scandinavia
with the adjoining forest of European Russia (from the western
flanks of the Ural mountains). These boreal forests represent
Europe's last remaining intact ancient forest. A reindeer in the
Lappi reinder herding co-operative in Finland. These forests
have ensured the survival of numerous plant and animal species,
including bears, flying squirrels and the highly endangered
eagle owl. These ancient boreal forests are also home to tens of
thousands of indigenous peoples. Living forests form a central
part of Saami culture. Old growth forests are of crucial
importance for reindeer herding and should not be logged for
pulp mills under any circumstances. In the Saami culture we have
been taught to respect forests ever since our childhood. Pekka
Aikio, President of the Saami Parliament, Finland. The reindeer-
herding Saami live in northern parts of Sweden, Finland and
Norway as well as the Murman