Factors influencing the development of forested landscape in project INTEGRAL Žemaitija case study area

Abstract

Determination of key factors influencing the sustainable and integrated forest management and exploring alternative future developments at a landscape level is among the aims of EU 7FP project INTEGRAL (Future-Orientated Integrated Management of European Forest Landscapes). This presentation illustrates the first results of the project achieved in Žemaitija case study area in Lithuania. Stakeholders identified and selected key factors using quantitative structural and morphological analysis, assuming 30 years horizon. Next, 11 most important factors were listed according to the decreasing importance: EU directives and regulation, National strategies and regulation, Demography, Taxation, Protected areas and forest zoning, Market of agriculture and forest goods, Real estate market, Ownership structure, Economic situation of forest owners and managers, Spatial planning. The matrix of selected key factors was elaborated and the evaluation of their interplays was carried out. Alternative future manifestations were produced on the selected key factors, too. Parmenidos Eidos software was used to analyze and visualize the interplay of key factors as well as to develop alternative possible future scenarios.