The consequencies of forest fragmentation are most clearly seen in the abundancy of species. There are species that specialize on old-growth forests and are therefore threatened in managed forests. Other species might require long, undisturbed forest continuity or some specific microclimates; for them managed forests are simply unfavourable. As a result of the forest fragmentation the diversity of habitats, species, and genes decreases.

Lapland's forests were heavily exploited after World War II. The wood was needed for lumber and increasing pulp production, the land was needed for farms - 400 000 migrants were resettled, many of them in Lapland. Around the 1960's the clear felling of large areas was especially popular involving the ploughing and giant machines. Since the state owned forests were to a great extent in Lapland, those were the forests most heavily used.

Today's more environmentally-friendly forestry methods have made quite a difference, but some problems are still remaining. Forest roads have fragmented Lapland's landscape dramatically. The building of the roads continues, although the forest roads of whole Finland all strung together would already reach three times around the world.