Forests and rural development in the light of global change – a perspective of mountain forests

Abstract

Mountain forests are facing substantial changes. The need to adapt forest management to climate change is overlaid by the consequences of demographic changes that alter the form of land use profoundly. The European policy is aware of the challenges and supports mountain regions by the Regulation for Rural Developments and other strategies. Regional efforts of the Forest Authorities account for the changing ownership structure in order to ensure sustainable forest management and the provision of the dependent ecosystem services.