Forests

Mountain forests ensure a multiplicity of functions

Forests in mountain areas cannot be ignored…

Forests are the most common land cover of mountains in Europe (in the wide sense), covering 41% of the total area, according to the European Environmental Agency (Europe's ecological backbone: recognising the true value of our mountains, 2010). In 17 European countries, forests occupy more than 50% of the mountain area.

Mountain forests provide multiple functions, essential for human activities. These include not only the production of wood (particularly valuable for construction and energy) but also the provision of ecosystem services, such as protection against natural hazards, conservation of fauna and flora, landscapes, regulation of water supplies, and carbon storage.

… and should be better valorised

The specific natural conditions of mountain forests (slope, climate, soils) make their exploitation difficult. Equally, the critical ecosystem services provided by forests must be taken into consideration. Consequently, adapted solutions have to be developed and implemented to ensure that enterprises working in mountain forests participate in, and benefit from, the development of the supply chains (particularly relating to the construction and energy sectors) in a sustainable way.

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Our actions

The theme of mountain forest has often been dealt with by Euromontana throughout its activities. From November 2010, it became a specific study topic, when the preparation of a study financed by the French Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fishery, Rural affairs and Land management started.

Policy - representation

Follow –up of activities at EU level. Euromontana closely follows and informs its members about the European policy regarding forestry.
- see article in the thematic news section (for members only)

Events

Participation in the conference “The future of the mountain forests”, Liaison Office of the European Region Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino, Brussels – 02 December 2010
- See presentation: “European mountain forests: ripping full benefit of a precious asset”

Study on "the mobilisation of wood and on the organisation of wood supply chains in mountain areas - Examples of good practices from Europe"

Study cofinanced by the French ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, Rural affairs and Spatial planning. April 2012

The objective of the work is to identify andanalyse positive and sustainable practices regarding the extraction and use of wood and the organisation (formal, e.g.,organisation of wood owner, union, association, etc.; or informal) of wood supply chains in mountain areas (from production to end products) , in European countries with mountain forests with sufficient harvesting potential.

See the study results

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