Protection Forest Management at the Österreichische Bundesforste AG

The Austrian Forest Inventory 2007/2009 and surveys conducted by the Österreichische Bundesforste AG (Austrian Federal Forests) revealed an overall unsatisfactory condition of the protection forests. The relevant stakeholders failed to establish well-structured, multi-layered forests on many protection forest areas; 30% of the areas contained only single-layered forests, 24% contained multi-layered forests. Taking into account the already high tree age – about half of the trees were already 140 years old – this carried an increased risk of the forest losing its protective effect.

As regards the management of protection forest areas, the Österreichische Bundesforste AG focused on profitability, thereby failing to fulfil the target laid down in the Federal Forests Act (Bundesforstegesetz) of “safeguarding and further developing the protective function of the forest areas in the best possible manner” satisfyingly. The Österreichische Bundesforste AG spent only about a quarter of the amount used for economic forest areas for forest maintenance per hectare. Based on earnings, the amount used for the maintenance of protective forests was comparatively low. Against the backdrop of the condition of protection forests, the relevant stakeholders should have taken especially intensive measures to stabilize and restore the forests on these very areas.

The damage caused to forests by game significantly impeded forest growth and, in particular, a sufficient rejuvenation of forests. The Österreichische Bundesforste AG planned to increase game shooting in a targeted manner by separating the hunting grounds and concluding shooting and stalking agreements, thereby reducing damage caused by game. However, until now, it has attained this goal only partially.