The Norwegian Forestry Agency wants to protect old forest because it contributes to preserving environments with high natural values.

One way to do this is to protect forest biotopes - and such a forest worthy of protection can be found just outside Boden.

But before it can receive protection, the volume and wood species distribution must be measured.

- The landowner must be compensated in order for this forest to remain, therefore all trees are measured so we know how much the landowner should have, says forest consultant Carina Mattila.

"It takes alot of time"

In the forest, there are, among other things, fir trees that are over 160 years old, rot-cracked trees with rare ticks and "norrland's noble deciduous tree" which is important for many species.

- It takes a lot of time, so it's fantastic to have two people who can work on this full-time for a summer - so that it really gets done.

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Hear the forest consultant Carina Mattila talk about "norrland's noble deciduous tree" and why it is important to protect old forest.

Photo: Amanda Liikamaa/SVT

Around 2,000 trees in the forest

This summer, two students have been given the task of measuring the forest - and several other forests in southern Norrbotten.

- 2.5 hectares is the smallest we will have, but it is well over 2,000 trees, says biology student Markus Kristoffersson.

It is all trees over eight centimeters in diameter that they must measure.

- It is interesting to see beautiful areas like this, says forestry engineering student Niklas Nybäck.

After the landowner has received his compensation and the forest has been protected, they will mark the boundary by painting a ring around the tree with a star above it.

See the students' forest work in the video at the top.