European Policies and Measures for Protection, Management and Development of Mountain Areas and Mountain Forests

Abstract

European countries have already a tradition in taking care of mountain area resources. As mountain areas have multiple functions – ecological, economic, social – the main challenge is finding a balance between their colliding roles, but also between extensive use and complete negligence.Even though the areas are multifunctional, their prevailing role is ecological because mountains store most of drinking water sources, ore, biodiversity, as well as they are shelters for forests world-wide. For successful actions it is necessary to build comprehensive framework in order to tackle different issues at once and prepare a base for sectoral solutions. Therefore, this article will focus on overall national policies and measures developed in European mountain countries, but with particular attention on how they influence protection, management and development of mountain forests.This will include review of existing legislative, institutions, financial, strategic and participatory instruments and measures.