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Open image in a new windowWaldboden am Kristakopf (1000m) am Golm in Vorarlberg
Photo: BMLFUW/Rita Newman

A nice walk through the green forests of Austria is a matter of course for our generation. In order to ensure that we will be able to pass on forests to our children with a good conscience also for future generations, sustainable forest management and tending measures are necessary. On the pages of the FORESTnet you will find a survey of the Austrian forestry.

  • Protection against natural hazards

    Forests protect us against floods, mudflow, avalanches, slope movements, and rock fall. These natural hazards threaten Austria’s residential and economic areas as well as its traffic routes. > more about: Protection against natural hazards

    30.06.2008, Lebensministerium Öffentlichkeitsarbeit

  • Facts and figures on Austrian forests

    With its 47% share of forests Austria is an EU country very rich in forests. More than 3.3 million hectares of its territory are used for forestry. > more about: Facts and figures on Austrian forests

    15.02.2008, Lebensministerium Öffentlichkeitsarbeit

  • What do forests give us?

    Forests provide us with wood and fresh spring water. Gravel, stone and earth can be extracted. Not to be forgot: the oxygen which the green forest trees and plants produce in the course of the photosynthesis. > more about: What do forests give us?

    15.02.2008, Lebensministerium Öffentlichkeitsarbeit

  • Forests for generations

    Sustainable forest management ensures a healthy heritage for succeeding generations. Forest management as it is practised today in Austria can be called sustainable as defined by the Austrian Forest Act. > more about: Forests for generations

    15.02.2008, Lebensministerium Öffentlichkeitsarbeit

  • Forest health

    Only healthy forests can fulfil their functions - the economic, social, recreational, and beneficial functions. But how do forests respond to stressors? > more about: Forest health

    15.02.2008, Lebensministerium Öffentlichkeitsarbeit

  • Protection forests in alpine areas

    With about 75 percent of its overall territory being Alpine land, Austria has the highest share of Alpine area of all Central European nations. More than 50% of Austria’s national territory are intensive zones of protection against alpine natural hazards. > more about: Protection forests in alpine areas

    15.02.2008, Lebensministerium Öffentlichkeitsarbeit

  • Energy from wood

    When wood is burned, a neutral carbon balance is maintained. From this point of view, wood is virtually unrivalled as a fuel. In 2006 the total quantity felled amounted to 19 mio cubic metres of timber harvested, an increase by over 13.5 percent compared to 2005. > more about: Energy from wood

    15.02.2008, Lebensministerium Öffentlichkeitsarbeit

  • Forest land use planning

    To be able to guarantee the multiple functions of the forests, such as protection, economic utilisation, recreation or well-being, a foresighted planning is required. Forest Development Plan (FDP), Hazard Zone Plan (HZP) and Forest Plan (FP) are the most important planning instruments of forest land use planning. > more about: Forest land use planning

    15.02.2008, Lebensministerium Öffentlichkeitsarbeit

  • The Austrian Forest Programme

    From the Austrian Forest Dialogue the Austrian Forest Programme has developed.In Austria, ensuring multifunctional forest management on a long-term basis is a matter of top priority in the context of forest, environmental and social politics. > more about: The Austrian Forest Programme

    15.02.2008, Lebensministerium Öffentlichkeitsarbeit

  • To whom do Austria’s forests belong?

    Almost three quarters of Austria’s forests are privately owned and are managed by private forest owners. About one third of the total forest area is managed by large forest enterprises. > more about: To whom do Austria’s forests belong?

    15.02.2008, Lebensministerium Öffentlichkeitsarbeit

  • The forest ecosystem

    It is crucial to preserve the ecological diversity of Austria’s forests. 39,581 km², or 47.2%, of Austria’s national territory, are covered by forest. Austria has a very large share in the East Alps and it also has a share in the Danube area. Diverse landscapes, climate and vegetations types overlap. > more about: The forest ecosystem

    15.02.2008, Lebensministerium Öffentlichkeitsarbeit