The protective functions of forests in a changing climate - European experience

Book excerpt: The objective of this publication is to present the policy and management approach of each member country on its protective forests. The goal of the member countries is to increase the resilience of mountain forests and ensure the sustainability of their protective functions for society. Each country report covers the following topics: 1) definition of protective forests; 2) characteristics of the national protective forest system; 3) challenges encountered in the management and strengthening of protective forests, including climate change impacts; 4) governance of the protective forest system; and 5) monitoring and planning systems for protective forests. Countries have defined, characterized, and identified challenges inherent to their protective forests, and it is through their appropriate governance, management and planning that the forests are able to provide ecosystem services in a sustainable way. In the context of a changing climate, the approach has to be revisited and adapted to novel and increasingly more uncertain conditions. This review of reports from 12 countries shows that especially mountain regions in Europe are facing common challenges and that different approaches can be learnt from each another. We hope that this report may provide a basis for further actions in transboundary and international cooperation for maintaining and enhancing protective forests.