Abstract ID: 3.10337 | Accepted as Talk | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

Mountain forests in steep terrain provide protection from natural hazards, an essential ecosystem service for the safety of people and infrastructure in mountain areas and downstream regions. In several countries, this ecosystem service has been formally recognized, where specific institutions (including e.g. regulations, incentives, or guidelines for forest owners) have been established to ensure that protective forests are managed effectively to maintain and enhance their protective effect. However, management and governance approaches for protective forests differ widely between countries.
Here, we review the management and governance of protective forests across different mountain countries, using a combination of literature review and expert survey. In particular, we assess ownership structures, regulations, incentives, and guidelines or norms related to the management of protective mountain forests. In addition, we examine how these institutions have been adapted or revised in response to climate change, including extreme events and disturbances, such as severe storms, large floods or landslides.
This review can serve as a valuable resource for learning from best practices developed in countries with a longstanding tradition of managing forests for natural hazard protection. By drawing upon these experiences, we can improve protective forest management strategies in mountain regions. Furthermore, the key factors identified for successfully maintaining the protective service of forests could potentially be transferred to enhance the management and governance of forests for other important ecosystem services.