Abstract ID: 3.12625 | Accepted as Talk | Talk | TBA | TBA

Natural hazards are a significant cause of threat to life, quality of life and well-being. Moreover, they can have relevant negative impacts on the regional economy, e.g. in regions with tourism industry. The aim of the empirical survey was to analyse the perception of the exposed population of the function of protective forests to prevent or mitigate natural hazards (avalanches, shallow landslides and rockfall). In the context of the project “The importance of protective forests in Austria and their economic relevance”, qualitative interviews with stakeholders, landlords, foresters, representatives from the torrent and avalanche control authority, hunters and NGOs were conducted in four Austrian case study regions (Forst Management Projects (FMP) in Bad Aussee, Kals, Brandberg and Kleines Walsertal). The main areas of interest were (i), risk perception, (ii) problem awareness, (iii) participation and (iv) options for action and solutions. It should be revealed which measures are appropriate to preserve or strengthen the protective forests. One of the most relevant insights is, that it needs people and experts who are able to translate technical and scientific knowledge about natural hazards and the function of protective forests into everyday knowledge and communicate it to the exposed rural population. The building and further development of social capital through co-operation and mutual trust can help exposed communities to cope with natural hazards and severe forest damage events. The ownership structure of protective forests has an impact on the implementation of the FMPs and the condition of the protective forests, e.g. if there is a lack of professionalism in forest management among small forest owners and servitude owners. A “local forester” like in Tyrol and Vorarlberg could be a role model for the sustainable management of protective forests in other regions. A significant limiting factor for safeguarding the protective forests is the conflict area of “forest-wildlife-tourism”. Here, visitor management measures for mountain biking and skiing have proven their worth. Finally, the financial support of protective forest restoration and conservation by the public sector is considered by the interview partners as very important, especially in the light of the climate crisis.