Ecosystem management of protection forests aims at maintaining forests near a state at which their protection function is secured. Due to climate changes, the uncertainty about forest management in mountainous areas has increased in the last decades. The magnitude, frequency and type of natural disturbances have changed resulting in more frequent and higher damages of forest stands. Additionally forests are threatened by the rapid spread of invasive alien species and other harmful organisms. In natural hazard management and disaster risk reduction, forests are increasingly considered equal to technical or civil engineering measures. Thus, the role of forests in protection against erosion, floods, snow and earth avalanches, torrents and falling rocks is considered irreplaceable in the light of changing environment. In the frame of two Alpine Space Programme projects, the RockTheAlps and GreenRisk4ALPs, current forest management practices were analysed and adoption measures to decrease risks in forest management were discussed. Quick sanitation measures in damaged forests including timely detection and removal of weakened trees are necessary to prevent the gradation of harmful organisms. In addition, adequate silviculture measures are relevant to increase stability and vitality of forest stands. Key measures include small-scale regeneration, regulation of tree species composition in line with changing site conditions, gradual and early regeneration of potentially threatened forests and prevention and limitation of the spread of invasive alien species. The results of both projects will be presented and future challenges in preventing forest damage due to extreme weather events will be further discussed.

05 - Adaptation measures for minimizing the impacts of disturbances in protective forests - projects "RockTheAlps" and "GreenRisk4ALPs"