Are Forest Functions a Useful Tool for Multi-objective Forest Management Planning? Experiences from Slovenia
The concept of forest functions evolved in Central Europe as an important tool in the practice of multi-objective forest management. It is based on designating forest function areas that are relatively more important for the selected services. Recent practice has raised a number of concerns regardin...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Zagreb, Faculty of Forestry
2015-01-01
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| Series: | Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering |
| Online Access: | https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/223379 |
| _version_ | 1818316132168237056 |
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| author | Andrej Bončina Tina Simončič |
| author_facet | Andrej Bončina Tina Simončič |
| author_sort | Andrej Bončina |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The concept of forest functions evolved in Central Europe as an important tool in the practice of multi-objective forest management. It is based on designating forest function areas that are relatively more important for the selected services. Recent practice has raised a number of concerns regarding the suitability and effectiveness of the concept of forest functions in satisfying increasing social demands on forests. This paper presents the main results of a survey of forest functions in Slovenia as seen by forestry experts (n=162). There was broad agreement among respondents that there are too many forest function types, and that at most two levels of importance should be applied. Principal component analysis identified four main purposes for designating forest function areas: harmonisation of forest uses, identification of conflict areas, and argumentation for land use planning; setting management priorities and strategies such as limitations for harvesting and skidding; providing a framework for financial subsidies for adjusted forest management; guiding forest road planning and construction.
Respondents identified designation of forest function areas in both public and private forests, and their high importance for land use planning as the major strengths of the concept. Major weaknesses were an insufficient monitoring and planning system, and complicated forest function mapping. It seems that forest functions have remained an important tool in the practice of multi-objective forest management. However, improved planning methods, increased public participation and greater integration of forest functions in forest policy are needed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T09:16:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1638f24cc8f14e42a5bc892974a62da1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1845-5719 1848-9672 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T09:16:34Z |
| publishDate | 2015-01-01 |
| publisher | University of Zagreb, Faculty of Forestry |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering |
| spelling | doaj.art-1638f24cc8f14e42a5bc892974a62da12022-12-21T23:52:49ZengUniversity of Zagreb, Faculty of ForestryCroatian Journal of Forest Engineering1845-57191848-96722015-01-01362293305151828Are Forest Functions a Useful Tool for Multi-objective Forest Management Planning? Experiences from SloveniaAndrej Bončina0Tina Simončič1University of Ljubljana Biotechnical Faculty Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources Večna pot 83 1000 Ljubljana SLOVENIAUniversity of Ljubljana Biotechnical Faculty Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources Večna pot 83 1000 Ljubljana SLOVENIAThe concept of forest functions evolved in Central Europe as an important tool in the practice of multi-objective forest management. It is based on designating forest function areas that are relatively more important for the selected services. Recent practice has raised a number of concerns regarding the suitability and effectiveness of the concept of forest functions in satisfying increasing social demands on forests. This paper presents the main results of a survey of forest functions in Slovenia as seen by forestry experts (n=162). There was broad agreement among respondents that there are too many forest function types, and that at most two levels of importance should be applied. Principal component analysis identified four main purposes for designating forest function areas: harmonisation of forest uses, identification of conflict areas, and argumentation for land use planning; setting management priorities and strategies such as limitations for harvesting and skidding; providing a framework for financial subsidies for adjusted forest management; guiding forest road planning and construction. Respondents identified designation of forest function areas in both public and private forests, and their high importance for land use planning as the major strengths of the concept. Major weaknesses were an insufficient monitoring and planning system, and complicated forest function mapping. It seems that forest functions have remained an important tool in the practice of multi-objective forest management. However, improved planning methods, increased public participation and greater integration of forest functions in forest policy are needed.https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/223379 |
| spellingShingle | Andrej Bončina Tina Simončič Are Forest Functions a Useful Tool for Multi-objective Forest Management Planning? Experiences from Slovenia Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering |
| title | Are Forest Functions a Useful Tool for Multi-objective Forest Management Planning? Experiences from Slovenia |
| title_full | Are Forest Functions a Useful Tool for Multi-objective Forest Management Planning? Experiences from Slovenia |
| title_fullStr | Are Forest Functions a Useful Tool for Multi-objective Forest Management Planning? Experiences from Slovenia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Are Forest Functions a Useful Tool for Multi-objective Forest Management Planning? Experiences from Slovenia |
| title_short | Are Forest Functions a Useful Tool for Multi-objective Forest Management Planning? Experiences from Slovenia |
| title_sort | are forest functions a useful tool for multi objective forest management planning experiences from slovenia |
| url | https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/223379 |
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