Forestry in Austria [Österreich]– Supply Chain and Economic situation of small-scale Mountain Regions

Abstract

Introduction Forests play a substantial role in ecological environmental development. Austria is a mountainous and highly developed central Western European country with a landscaping dominated by Alps and forests. The forest area is nearly half (48%) of the full total section of the country which percentage is growing (Fachzeitschrift Ländlicher Raum, Austrian government). Small level family still dominates the range, although the importance of the primary sector is declining, it is relevant to the management of the landscaping and the ecosystem. In Austria, almost all the farms are family held however in the context of the paper, private farms are also considered irrespective of the house size and activities. In Austria, around 50% of the forest area belongs to private holdings. Holdings significantly less than 50 ha accounts for 32% (Fachzeitschrift Ländlicher Raum, Austrian government), the task is to increase services when coping with private small-scale forestry. Whereas holdings bigger than 500 ha show a usage rate of 104.9% of the increment (Timber production), the utilization for holdings below 200 ha amounted to only 72% of the increment (Fachzeitschrift Ländlicher Raum, Austrian government). Demographic and monetary improvements increase deforestation threatens the ecosystems routine. Hence, UN Sustainable Development Goal 15, goals 15.1 and 15.4, which list forest area as a percentage of total land area and the conservation of ecosystems are goals in forestry that play a s stringent role in Austria, especially in rural, mountainous areas.