The structure and dynamics of forests in the central part of the West Karelian upland are described. This area, together with adjacent operating and planned PAs, is the core of the Green Belt of Fennoscandia. A large taiga continent has survived there, surrounded on all sides by forests at various stages of anthropogenic succession. The focus is on the comparison of the natural state forest cover and that in the process of post logging transformation (following the «what it was vs. what it is» principle). In conclusion, recommendations are given on establishment of forest reserves in the area with regard to the developing PA system of the Green Belt of Fennoscandia and Karelia in general. Arguments are given for utilization of the area as a polygon for ecological landscape planning of multipurpose forest use.