Joint goals in managing forests for recreation and tourism results of a regional approach.

Transcription

1 in managing forests for recreation and tourism results of a regional approach. Univ. Prof. Dr. Ulrike Pröbstl Institute for Landscape Development, Recreation and Conservation Planning BOKU University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria 1

2 Managing Forests for recreation an old and ongoing discussion In the early beginnings of forestry, a controversial discussion emerged about the roles of landscape aesthetics and recreation vs. forest production The importance of attractive forests for social needs was postulated by Hirschfeld 1785 Borch 1824 v.salisch 1885 Walter 1905 Dimitz 1909 and others Der Abend Caspar David Friedrich 1820/21 2

3 Method An expert based questionnaire led to an regional approach This method minimizes subjective answers and barriers posed by different languages 3

4 Conflict types Analysis of regional patterns Eastern recreation - nature cons. recreation - hunting/fishing recreation - groups recreation - forestry use recreation - crowding Nordic atlantic nordic central eastern mediterranean Differences between groups are significant at 0.05 level for nature conservation and groups Measures of Association REta conflicts groups * region 4 0, conflicts crowing * region 7 0, conflicts forestry use * regio 2 0, conflicts hunting/fishing * reg 6 0, conflicts nature * region 0,

5 New approach concentrated on European regions with similar framing conditions In Europe, there are five groups of countries with rather similar conditions. They are characterized by similar framing conditions like forest cover, the density of population or the legal background (access). This approach helps to identify similar problems and to enhance the cooperation in field of planning and management significantly. Atlantic Region Central Region Nordic Region Eastern Region Mediterranien/southern Region 5

6 The Atlantic Region Framing conditions: Low forest cover (under 11%) Good supply of infrastructure Challenges: visitor management and visual quality of the landcape Afforestation and aesthetic improvements of afforestations crowding and ethnic differences 6

7 The Atlantic Region Lessons learned and exchange of best practise: The national monitoring of forest recreation: GB Day Visit Survey (GBDVS) supports the visitor managment in the U.K. Forest user councils were established by The Danish Forest and Nature Agency for public involvement in forest management Private Public Partnerships in Iceland called Open Forest funds access to forest areas by the general public, and supports the construction of recreational facilities. Guidelines and courses on design principles and outdoor recreation mangement are provided by the Irish Tree Council, or the Danish Centre of Forest, Landscape and Planning. Guidelines on vandalism risk management (GB) Research on ethnic differences in forest recreation (NL) 7

8 The Nordic Region Framing conditions: High proportion of forest cover (up to 69 %) High relevance of free access with elementary rights for everybody High proportion of private forest Challenges: Improvements for ecotourism Adaptation of forest management (e.g.harvesting ) to accommodate new tourist services Supply of infrastructure 8

9 The Nordic Region Lessons learned and exchange of best practise: Building cooperative networks like NOVA - a platform for innovative scientific Nordic cooperation Nature`s Best a national certification scheme for ecotourism in Sweden Attractive unique design targeting nature tourists (Finland) All year round Nordic-Fitness sport concepts New trails and settings specifically for hiking (e.g. Skaneleden Trail in Sweden) 9

10 The Central Region Framing conditions: Average forest cover: about 1/3 Access: mostly minor restrictions Challenges: Nature conservation (high proportion of protected forests) and hunting Importance of the hazards protection function: erosion, rock slides, avalanches Conflicts with different user groups Climate change 10

11 The Central Region Lessons learned and exchange of best practice: Collaborative developed zoning concepts more than 30 beach plans have been developed in France in order to protect the costal environment and the pine forest landscapes. Risk management and mapping against natural risks (D,F,CH, A) Landscape Auditing System for alpine resorts and destinations (D, A,CH, I) Conflict resolution using special systems of signposts (D, A,CH, F) Research programmes on the effects of climate change on recreation 11

12 The Eastern Region Framing conditions: forest cover above-average: 41-45% Increase of forest land because of changes in agricultural use Challenges: creation of suitable infrastructure for recreation and tourism Conflicts with motorized user groups Assurance of ecological quality in a changing cultural landscape Adaptation to European directives in nature conservation (Habitat and Bird directive) 12

13 The Eastern Region Lessons learned and exchange of best practise: Long term planning concept on forest and recreation combined with forest inventory (Lithuania) Interpretation centre and new, revitalized infrastructure for recreation in the Vydrovo Valley, Slovakia using old forestry train Development of packaged eco-tours (Poland) Measures to protect the cultural heritage and landscape at ethnographic village in the Dzukija National Park, Lithuania 13

14 The Mediterranean Region Framing conditions: forest cover above-average: 32-49% but different types of forest land Challenges: Stabilisation and afforestation in dry areas Hunting and recreation Challenges derived from an intensive touristic landuse and changes in agricultural landuses: Fire protection and management Infrastructure for tourism Facilities for recreation and environmental education 14

15 The Mediterranean Region Lessons learned and exchange of best practices: FRI (Final Risk Index) for fire management modelling, daily risk or seasonal risk for selected areas (It) Strengthen nature trails and infrastructure for nature experience for tourism in the hinterland or peripheral areas (Cy, Pt) Infrastructure for nature interpretation (It) Campsites adapted to local traditions (Cy,Gr,It) Fire reel hose system at beaches (Cy) Educational programme to rise the attention of forest fires in Croatia 15

16 Managing recreation and nature tourism in European forests (Springer Science 2008) 1. Introduction 2. The Atlantic Region 3. The Nordic Region 4. The Central Region 5. The Eastern Region 6. The Mediterranean Region 7. Cross-European comparison 8. Good practise and examples 9. Conclusions and recommendations 8.1 Planning forest recreation 8.2 Management concepts 8.3 Risk management 8.4 Detailed management actions and specific solutions 8.5 Education and interpretative activities 16

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18 Common challenges Direct and indirect effects of climate change (tree species, water supply, recreational behavior and destination choice, bio fuel and landscape change...) Increasing alienation of young people from nature and forests (body guard parents, less uncontroled time, ethic influences...) Increased demand for nature tourism packages to strengthen economicaly weak peripheral areas Strong legal requirements concerning nature conservation especially Natura 2000 (deterioration by use and non-use, special protected species, duties for contractual or other form of protection...) 18

19 Common challenges II Metropolism leads to an increasing demand for forest management around metropolian areas ( pressure, vandalism, different user groups, crowding, ethnic integration...) Realization of open access to disabled user groups and an aging society Increasing demand for economical justification and evaluation of recreational benefits, needs and demands (for Switzerland 2005 the value of the forests in Switzerland for recreation are for all adults about 6 Mill Euro or per person and year BUWAL) One main challenge must be seen in the new discussion on standards within forestry and somehow we are at a similar point as around

20 The 90s - Agenda 21 & sustainability The Rio Conference on sustainable development (1992) supports the concept of multi-functional forests in the magic triangle of Ecological Ecology Economic and Social balanced circumstances Economy Social The Agenda 21 supported research in sustainable forestry which is based on the long European tradition of multiuse / multifunctional forestry...but all those who expected that SFM would enhance recreation as one of the main issues will be somewhat surprised... 20

21 35 Indicators: 1 on accessibility for recreation 1 on cultural or spiritual values 21

22 Conclusion and outlook The regional approach showed the cultural and traditional differences and the diverse requirements for recreation The compiled results try to preserve these regional cultural differences and to list requirements addressed to the local needs and behaviour. It is important to understand that best practice from Finland cannot be transferred one on one to Cyprus or other places. Challenges for research are an regional adapted application of the European concept of sustainable forest management with a strong section in recreation. Forest related research is still focussing too much on recreation and less on tourism, in this case additional support from COST is required. 22

23 Thank you for your attention! Univ. Prof. DI. Dr. Ulrike Pröbstl Peter-Jordanstr.65, A-1180 Wien Tel.: , Fax: Ulrike.Proebstl@boku.ac.at 23

24 Forest function - the wake-theory (Kielwasser-theorie) The wake-theory dominated the discussions on forest management untile the 60s. The idea was that qualified wood production would automatically also supply other forest functions, i.e. hazards protection, recreation or nature conservation. 24