The systems of managing wildlife and forest in central Europe

Abstract

Central European countries share many similarities in the composition of forest habitats and wildlife species. However, the former political division of Europe produced substantial differences in wildlife management systems and land ownership. Forests are generally regarded as a source of lumber with the requirements of wildlife neglected most of the time. There is an urgent need to introduce measures enhancing forest habitats for wildlife. Most important seems to be maintaining and possibly increasing biodiversity by altering present logging systems. In future, production of timber should become only one of several functions of forests including conservation of wildlife, recreation, and other values.