Type of indicator

Environment

Indicator C38

Protected forest

Definition 

Protected forests are important to maintain and enhance biodiversity, as well as to conserve landscapes and provide recreation opportunities (SoEF, 2011). 

 

The indicator measures the share of forest and other wooded land (FOWL) protected to conserve biodiversity, landscapes and specific natural elements according to MCPFE[1] Assessment Guidelines (MCPFE classes 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and 2). 

 

The indicator consists of 4 sub-indicators:

1. share of FOWL area in class 1.1

2. share of FOWL area in class 1.2

1. share of FOWL area in class 1.3

1.share of FOWL area in class 2

 

"Protected areas are one of the oldest instruments for protecting nature and natural resources, and are included as a main pillar in nature conservation laws across Europe. Explicitly designated protected areas focus mainly on conserving biological diversity, landscape, natural monuments and protective functions of forests. The MCPFE Assessment Guidelines for Protected and Protective Forest and Other Wooded Land in Europe were created in 2001-2003 especially for European countries where protected forest areas are often small, most of which are located in fragmented landscapes with other land use categories and are protected with various management options and regimes" (SoEF, 2011)

Protected and protective[2] forest and other wooded land have to comply with the following general principles according to the MCPFE Assessment Guidelines:

  • Existence of legal basis
  • Long-term commitment (minimum 20 years)
  • Explicit designation for the protection of biodiversity, landscapes and specific natural elements (MCPFE Assessment Guidelines, 2002)

 

MCPFE Classes for 'Protected FOWL to conserve biodiversity, landscapes and specific natural elements' are defined by the MCPFE Assessment Guidelines for Protected and Protective Forest and Other Wooded Land in Europe (Fourth MCPFE, Vienna 2003).
https://foresteurope.org/state-of-europes-forests/

 

Class 1: Main Management Objective "Biodiversity":

Class 1.1: “No Active Intervention”:

  • The main management objective is biodiversity
  • No active, direct human intervention is taking place
  • Activities other than limited public access and non-destructive research not detrimental to the management objective are prevented in the protected area

Class 1.2: “Minimum Intervention”:

  • The main management objective is biodiversity
  • Human intervention is limited to a minimum
  • Activities other than listed below are prevented in the protected area: Ungulate/game control/Control of diseases/insect outbreaks, Public access, Fire intervention, Non-destructive research not detrimental to the management objective, Subsistence resource use (In case of expected large diseases/insect outbreaks control measures using biological methods are allowed provided that no other adequate control possibilities in buffer zones are feasible. Subsistence resource use to cover the needs of indigenous people and local communities, in so far as it will not adversely affect the objectives of management).

Class 1.3: “Conservation Through Active Management”

  • The main management objective is biodiversity
  • A management with active interventions directed to achieve the specific conservation goal of the protected area is taking place
  • Any resource extraction, harvesting, silvicultural measures detrimental to the management objective as well as other activities negatively affecting the conservation goal are prevented in the protected area

 

Class 2: Main Management Objective "Protection of Landscapes and Specific

Natural Elements"

  • Interventions are clearly directed to achieve the management goals landscape diversity, cultural, aesthetic, spiritual and historical values, recreation, specific natural elements
  • The use of forest resources is restricted
  • A clear long-term commitment and an explicit designation as specific protection regime defining a limited area is existing
  • Activities negatively affecting characteristics of landscapes or/and specific natural elements mentioned are prevented in the protected area

Unit of measurement

% of FOWL area protected under each MCPFE classes: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.

Data source

FOREST EUROPE, UNECE and FAO enquiry on pan-European quantitative indicators: State of Europe's Forests Report

References/location of the data

State of Europe's Forests Report (SoEF), State of Europe’s Forests 2020 report | CEPF (cepf-eu.org)
FRA platform (fao.org)

Data collection level

National (NUTS 0).

Frequency

Every 5 years (e.g.: 2010, 2015). The 2020 report is not yet available.

Delay

1 year

Comments/caveats

 

[1] The Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe has changed its name from MCPFE to FOREST EUROPE

[2] "Protective forests" under MCPFE class 3, designated to protect soil and its property or water quality and quantity or other forest ecosystem functions, or to protect infrastructure and managed natural resources against natural hazards, are not considered in this indicator.