Project REDIAFOR
Multifunctional forest in the Alps REinforcing DIALogue
REDIAFOR
Project REDIAFOR
Multifunctional forest in the Alps REinforcing
DIALogue
Promoting advanced cooperation in multifunctional Alpine forest to initiate a future dialogue as a path to overcome tensions arising from divergent interests.
More than ever, it is vital to initiate a dialogue
among actors and stakeholders in the forests
of the Alpine regions, as a basis for preventing
and overcoming conflicts.
REDIAFOR aims to identify and analyze the issues of conflicting interests and risks emerging from the multifunctional use of our forests (REDIAFOR survey). The introduction of a dialogic approach to strengthening the skills of actors and stakeholders (REDIAFOR training sessions), establish an approach for transnational dialogue (REDIAFOR workshops) and develop and promote a communication kit (REDIAFOR poster, practical and theoretical sheets on conflicts, etc) that promote a path to dialogue.
Forests are a valuable asset and shaping power in the Alpine region.
Their contribution to the quality of our living environment is manifold and reaches from recreation to the quality water and air, biodiversity, etc. Forests are home to animals and plants and contribute to the economy with wooden and non-wooden products. However, conflicting interests arising related to these various functions, the adaptation to impacts of climate change, rising expectations from society, and public and social value shifts are increasingly challenging our forests, today and tomorrow.
The forests in the Alpine regions are subject to increasing expectations from society, industry, and regional value creation.
We rely on the functions of our forests to filter water and air, protecting people and buildings against natural risks, etc. However, the forestry and wood processing industry is challenged by seasonality and competitive market situation. The general public increasingly expects sustainable forest management and local use of wood. Recreation and touristic needs demand an attractive landscape setting and area with security requirements for summer and winter activities. Peri-urban forests are a habitat for game and plants, but the urban population also sees the «wild» forest as an attraction, sports area, source of recreation, or image of ecological values increase. From outside agriculture and urban sprawl attempt to constrain the extension of forests.
All these functions (protection, production, social values) are related to very diverging. The effects of climate change multiply the challenges. Forests have to face higher risks (forest fires), increasing number and strength of storms, droughts, parasites, etc. disrupting the current economic model of forest management.