panagiotis gorlitsas

8/8/2019 Panagiotis Gorlitsas

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Name: Panagiotis Gorlitsas

T he Multifunctionality of Forests in Austria

OBJECTIVES OF FOREST POLICY

The main objective of forest policy is to maintain efficient agriculture andforestry in mountainous regions in consideration of their socio-economicrequirements (income maintenance, tourist industry, improvement of infrastructure, sales management and sales increase, landscape management,

protection of settlement areas, protection from natural catastrophes, etc.).

The topography, as well as the property structure which is dominated by small

holders, requires a special kind of forest management in order to safeguard themultifunctionality of forests in these regions.

Considering the intentions of the resolutions of the Ministerial Conferences onthe Protection of Forests in Europe (Strasbourg 1990 and Helsinki 1993) and theAlpine Convention (mountain forest protocol), Austria has prepared and takenappropriate measures and developed strategies for a practical application inorder to meet this challenge of managerial functions in mountain forests,

particularly in protective forests.

STRATEGIC TARGETS OF FORESTRY

The strategic targets of forestry are maintenance and improvement of forestswith the following partial objectives :

- improvement of protective forests

- reafforestation in high-altitude areas

- forest management and tending of woods that are nature oriented

- safeguarding of forest seeds and propagation material in accordance with localconditions

- appropriate forest area to fulfil all functions of the forest

METHODS USED IN FOREST PLANNING

The methods used in forest planning that permit the application of strategies of

forest maintenance and forest regeneration should have:


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- forest development plans (evaluation and determination of forest functions:commercial, protective, welfare, and recreational functions)

- concepts of the federal provinces to improve the protective function of the

forest- hazard zone plans (endangered areas in settlement areas in the catchment areasof torrents and avalanches)

- provincial conferences on the promotion of forests (lists of priorities for subsidized projects in forestry of the individual federal provinces).

PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF MEASURES

The regional concepts of different strategic levels of agriculture and forestry areguidelines for the practical application of measures.

The general list of measures for the tending of forests and forest improvement isapplied and realized in particular in mountainous and Alpine forests within theframework of the following projects and programmes:

a) Watershed management projects to improve the protective function of forests,including technical constructions with protective function.

a1) Watershed management projects to improve protective forests by forestrymeasures include technical constructions with protective functions;

a2) Watershed management projects to improve the condition of forests incatchment areas of torrents and avalanches by means of forestry measures.

b) Projects of reafforestation of high-altitude areas (reafforestation of Alpine pastures and grazing areas, elevation of the forest limit).

c) Promotion of forest management and tending of forests which are natureoriented.

d) Programme for the maintenance of genetic resources

The programme for the maintenance of genetic resources, for the maintenance of forestry seed and propagation material suited to the site comprises:

- seed banks

- seed orchards

- forest stands which are to be conserved on site


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The programme for the maintenance of genetic resources is carried out under theleadership of the Federal Forest Research Station, Vienna, in cooperation withthe provincial forestry division and with the help of forest owners.

List of measures for forest maintenance and forest improvement:- promoting the development of stocky forest stands in accordance with localconditions

- promoting reafforestation in high-altitude areas and reafforestation of former agricultural areas

- developing a control system of those seeking recreation in mountain forests inorder to provide better protection for particularly sensitive ecosystems

- counselling in view of an increase in the stability and structure of unstableforests

- improving the accessibility of forests which are opened up insufficiently or notat all in order to increase the profitability and to ease silvicultural management

- working out Forest Development Plans for common forest property

- improving the training for forest owners and rural supervisors

- promoting rural and municipal energy supply by biomass, using, in particular,timber as fuel

- promoting common marketing initiatives

- feasibility studies in all communities in question

- encouraging counselling for prospective and economically interesting projects

- promoting investments in the establishment of infrastructural constructions andin counselling

- priority list of project subsidies in forestry in the individual federal provinces

Methods of planning

The methods used in forest planning should have: forest development plans;concepts of the federal provinces to improve the protective function; hazard

zone plan; and provincial conferences on the promotion of forests.


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White Oak A medium-sized tree, the white oak grows25 to 30 metres high and lives for 200

years.Its leaves have deep rounded sinuses andlobes. Its acorn has a cup that enclosesabout one quarter of the nut.

The white oak is found on a variety of soilsfrom southern Quebec and Ontario south toGeorgia. It prefers hot, moist climates andis intolerant of harsh winters.

It grows in broadleaf stands mixed withother oaks, basswood, hickories, sugar maple, and some conifers.

It has been exported to certain tropicalcountries because of the many qualities of its wood.

Its light brown wood is hard, strong andtough. Owing to its incredible flexibility, it can be bent almost to a right angle. It istherefore commonly used in maritime construction. In the United States, it is also usedin house construction, furniture making and for railway ties.

Leaf Fruit

Leaves, alternate, simple, with roundedshallow lobes.

Fruits, acorns with cup enclosing onequarter of nut.

panagiotis gorlitsas

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