Increase in damaged cultural heritage sites 2025

Nyhet | Statistik - 16 December 2025

The Swedish Forest Agency's latest inventory shows an increase in the proportion of damaged known cultural heritage sites subject to regeneration felling. The proportion with damage or serious damage were 18 percent in 2025. This represents a statistically significant increase compared to 2024 and the highest level since 2020.

At the latest inventory in 2025, 18 percent of the known cultural heritage sites subject to felling were damaged or seriously damaged. This represents a statistically significant increase compared to 2024 when the proportion was 10 percent. During the last four years, the proportion of damage or serious damage have been lower, between 10-13 percent. The proportion of damage and serious damage is at its lowest level since 2020.

If you add impact, such as light vehicle ruts and felling debris left on the site, 38 percent were affected or damaged. 62 percent of the known cultural heritage sites were neither impacted nor damaged.

For cases where the Swedish Forest Agency have noted a decision issued by the County Administrative Board, damage occurring to the areas surrounding ancient remains are also assessed. In recent years, the proportion of damage or serious damage to these areas has been 30 to 40 percent nationwide.

Soil scarification is still the largest cause of damage

Soil scarification remains the single largest cause of damage to cultural heritage sites. The inventory in 2025 showed that the proportion of damaged or seriously damaged known cultural heritage sites caused by soil scarification were 10 percent.

The second most common cause were vehicle ruts, by 5 percent followed by windthrown trees and felling debris by 3 percent respectively.

Use of cultural heritage stumps and other marking

The inventory showed that the proportion of known cultural heritage sites that were damaged or seriously damaged were higher without no form of marking. The proportion of damaged or seriously damaged known cultural heritage sites without any marking have increased from 12 percent in 2024 to 22 percent in 2025. Damage or serious damage occurred to the same extent regardless of how the cultural heritage stumps were placed.

Regional differences

The proportion of damaged or seriously damaged known cultural heritage sites increased in the entire country, but a statistically significant increase only occurred in Götaland. Here, the proportion with damage or serious damage was 25 percent in 2025. Soli scarification accounted for the largest proportion of the damages (17 percent). In Götaland, planting on cultural heritage sites occurred to a greater extent than in the rest of the country.

In Northern Norrland, the proportion of damage and serious damage increased from 8 to 15 percent in 2025. Soli scarification was the most common cause. The level in Södra Norrland were similar, with 16 percent, but here soli scarification caused the least damage (4 percent) compared to the rest of the country. In Southern Norrland, vehicle ruts were the most common cause of damage and severe damage. In Svealand, the proportion of damage and severe damage were 12 percent, which is the highest level since 2014. Here, soil scarification also accounted for most of the damages, followed by wind felled trees. The changes in Norra Norrland, Södra Norrland and Svealand are not statistically significant, and the results should be interpreted with caution.

On 61 percent 0of the inventoried known cultural heritage sites there were cultural heritage stumps which is in line with the results of recent years. However, a large variation is observed between regions with 23 percent in Götaland avd 74 percent in Norra Norrland.

Definitions

Time: The results for 2025 refers to fellings inventoried during 2025, subject to felling between July 1st 2021 and June 30 in 2022.

Cultural heritage sites: A collective term for ancient remains and other cultural-historical remains. These have different legal protections.

Ancient remains: Remnants of human activity from ancient times, established through older practices, permanently abandoned, and presumed to predate 1850. Examples include Stone Age settlements, trapping pits and graves. The County Administrative Board may declare a younger relic an ancient relic if there are grounds with regards to its cultural-historical value. Governed by Chapter 2 of the Cultural Heritage Act (1988:950).

Ancient remains area: Includes all ancient remains and protected surrounding areas protected under the same regulations. The extent is determined by the County Administrative Board during consultations and permit processes in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Cultural Heritage Act (1988:950).

Other cultural-historical remains: Structures with cultural historical value but not fulfilling all criteria to be classified as ancient remains, often postdating 1850. Examples include charcoal pits and house foundations. Governed by the 30§ Forestry Act, Environmental Code, and Planning and Building Act. The Swedish Forest Agency is the supervisory authority for these remnants in forested areas.

Damage Categories Used in the Survey:

• No damage
• Impact - an impact that can be restored. Examples include minor vehicle ruts, felling debris, and compression damage.
• Damage – damage that can be restored. Examples include vehicle ruts, certain types of soil scarification, and substantial accumulation of felling debris.
• Severe damage – irreversible damage that cannot be restored. Examples include soil scarification, vehicle ruts, or uprooted trees, all of which may expose underlying cultural layers.

Cultural heritage stump: A 1.3 meter high stump (±0.5 meter) used as a marker for cultural heritage site to prevent damage during forestry operations.

The survey is included in Sweden's official statistics.

Theresults are presented in Swedish Forest Agency’s statistical database.