Name:Panagiotis Gorlitsas

The Multifunctionality of Forests in Austria

OBJECTIVES OF FOREST POLICY

The main objective of forest policy is to maintain efficient agriculture and

forestry in mountainous regions in consideration of their socio-economic
requirements (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 the
multifunctionality of forests in these regions.

Considering the intentions of the resolutions of the Ministerial Conferences on

the Protection of Forests in Europe (Strasbourg 1990 and Helsinki 1993) and the
Alpine Convention (mountain forest protocol), Austria has prepared and taken
appropriate measures and developed strategies for a practical application in
order 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 forests

with 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 local

conditions

- 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:
- 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 areas
of 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 are
guidelines for the practical application of measures.

The general list of measures for the tending of forests and forest improvement is
applied and realized in particular in mountainous and Alpine forests within the
framework 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 forestry

measures include technical constructions with protective functions;

a2) Watershed management projects to improve the condition of forests in

catchment 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 nature

oriented.

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

The programme for the maintenance of genetic resources is carried out under the
leadership of the Federal Forest Research Station, Vienna, in cooperation with
the 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 local

conditions

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

agricultural areas

- developing a control system of those seeking recreation in mountain forests in

order to provide better protection for particularly sensitive ecosystems

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

forests

- improving the accessibility of forests which are opened up insufficiently or not

at 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 and

in 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.
White Oak
A medium-sized tree, the white oak grows
25 to 30 metres high and lives for 200
years.

Its leaves have deep rounded sinuses and

lobes. Its acorn has a cup that encloses
about one quarter of the nut.

The white oak is found on a variety of soils

from southern Quebec and Ontario south to
Georgia. It prefers hot, moist climates and
is intolerant of harsh winters.

It grows in broadleaf stands mixed with

other oaks, basswood, hickories, sugar
maple, and some conifers.

It has been exported to certain tropical

countries because of the many qualities of
its wood.

Its light brown wood is hard, strong and

tough. Owing to its incredible flexibility, it can be bent almost to a right angle. It is
therefore commonly used in maritime construction. In the United States, it is also used
in house construction, furniture making and for railway ties.
Leaf Fruit

Leaves, alternate, simple, with rounded Fruits, acorns with cup enclosing one
shallow lobes. quarter of nut.