KNOWLEDGE OF FOREST AND FOREST SECTOR WITHIN LITHUANIAN SOCIETY

Abstract

Recently, the topic of forests and forestry is often raised in Lithuanian society, but the disseminated information is often misleading and unverified, which later leads to conflicts and negative opinions about the activities related to forests, forestry and the forest sector. Our research was carried out using the method of quantitative online survey, also we performed the media analysis. We also assessed what sources the Lithuanian population is interested in and trusts mostly on the topic of forests. The research showed that the public is better informed about the Lithuanian forest area, as well as knows about the clear-cutting method. The public is worse informed about the illegal logging: the majority answered that around 15% of logging in Lithuania is illegal. There is a lack of information about forests and forest management. The public is insufficiently informed about the activities of foresters, recreational facilities, and the rules of visiting the forest. The vast majority of the Lithuanian population lacks the information about forests, forestry and possible activities in forest that would be widely spread and easily accessible.