%0 Research article
%T Factors affecting enlargement of family forest holdings
%A Suuriniemi, Ilona
%A Matero, Jukka
%A Hänninen, Harri
%A Uusivuori, Jussi
%D 2012
%J Silva Fennica
%V 46
%N 2
%R doi:10.14214/sf.58
%U https://silvafennica.fi/article/58
%X This study contributes to the research of enlargement – a counterforce  of parcelization – of forest holdings. To help planning policy measures  aiming at increased average size of forest holdings, we study the  characteristics of family forest owners who acquired additional  forestland area during the years 2004–2008. Increases of forestland area  due to purchases on the open market, purchases from parents or other  relatives, inheritance or gift are studied. Survey data, containing  information of 6318 forest owners, are analyzed with logistic regression  analysis in order to establish a relationship between the probability  of increasing the forestland area and the characteristics of landowners.  The results indicate that young male owners, who appreciate economic  values of the ownership and are active users of their forest estates,  most often expand their forest property. This can be considered as an  encouraging result from the point of view of the political objective to  boost forest management activity through enlarging family forest  holdings.