Human Health and Sustainable Forest Management

58-97

Artikel aus einem Buch

200205746

European society is becoming influenced by global trends and demographic changes, such as urbanisation, which have not only physical, but also economic and socio-cultural implications. As a result, the relationships between society and forests are changing and forest management, defined as structural intervention in forest ecosystems, has to adapt to changing societal pressures and demands. Modern forest management planning has to consider more than one management objective and its process very often includes several stakeholders and decision-makers who often have very diverse, sometimes even contradictory interests requiring the provision of a broad range of ecosystem services. The concept of sustainable forest management has, on a pan-European level, made remarkable progress in this regard. It is based on the three pillars of sustainability covering economic, ecological and social aspects thus matching public demand for all ecosystem services. The importance of multifunctionality of forests and full integration of social functions of forests such as recreation, tourism and human health and well-being has been acknowledged by the recent policy commitments at the pan-European level.