Scenarios of Development of Teteven Forest Landscapes

УПРАВЛЕНИЕ И УСТОЙЧИВО РАЗВИТИЕ 2/2014 (45) MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2/2014 (45)

SCENARIOS OF DEVELOPMENT OF TETEVEN FOREST LANDSCAPES

Ivan Paligorov, Stanislava Kovacheva, Elena Dragozova, Ivaylo Ivanov University of Forestry, Sofia, Bulgaria

Abstract

The paper presents scenarios of forest management. Objects of interest are two typical forest landscapes in Bulgaria. The results were obtained by modelling of environmental, social, economic, technological and political factors. It is done an evaluation of the impact of each of the identified factors which have significantly affected on the management scenario. Parameters were set to amend various factors and the strength of their influence. In this way it was possible can evaluate how well every single manifestation goes together with the manifestations of all other elements of the scenario. The research is a stage of the INTEGRAL project.

Key words: management, forest landscapes, scenarios.

JEL: Q01, Q23.

Introduction is suitable for wood production. Not productive ar- This article presents the four scenarios and the eas mostly occupy karst terrains with partial cover- findings that have been made throughout the sce- age by trees and shrubs, but with no importance for nario process in the case study area Teteven of the wood production INTEGRAL project. Within the overall structure of the INTEGRAL project, the scenario‐processes Table 1. Distribution of forest area by type of Land play a central role and are strongly linked with other Type of Land Area (ha) % of Area work packages. A great deal of the research is Wooded area 44030.8 92.1% Unforested wood production based on the contributions of local stakeholders or 586.0 1.2% area has even been realized with their participation. Non wood production area 3195.7 6.7% As a result of the study is formed four different Total forest area 47812.5 100.0% scenarios of development of forest landscapes in the Teteven. At the base of each scenario set out the most important factors that influence the management of these areas. Depending on the strength of influence has outlined different options for management of forest landscapes.

Object of research Object of the study is Teteven Municipality. Teteven Municipality covers an area of approxi- mately 697 km2. The case study area represents a region with specific cultural landscape development. The cultural landscape is characterized by dispersed rural settlements and traditional land use. It is a highland territory with different land-use patterns [3]. Municipal private property occupies the largest share in the distribution of land by type of ownership (27.02%). Private property occupies 25.03% of the municipal territory. State private property is the third highest participation in the ownership structure and occupies 19.43%. State public property occu- Fig.1. Land-use patterns within the case study area pies 18.53% of the municipal territory. Other types Teteven of property have smaller shares in the total area of the municipality [2]. Within the overall structure of the INTEGRAL The territory is characterized by a very high per- project, the scenario‐processes play a central role centage (92.1%) of the forested area (Table 1). The and are strongly linked with other work packages. reserves for reforestation are limited to only 1.2% of The research results focused mainly on regional the total forest area. This area of non-forested land and national issues. In phase 2 have been devel-

20 Ivan Paligorov, Stanislava Kovacheva, Elena Dragozova, Ivaylo Ivanov oped ‘Driver” scenarios (first version) for the case and which, at least partly, mark a difference be- study area. After that, was performed an analysis of tween the individual scenarios. These differences the consequences of the case study specific sce- were expressed by describing alternative future narios on forest management. This information was developments for each element. These alternative including in the scenario process. Together with the future developments are called 'manifestations' – incorporated information on the provision of ES, the they describe how each issue might develop in the 'driver' scenarios constitute 'raw scenarios'. Phase next 25 to 30 years. 3 included a problem‐solving oriented back cast- The final scenarios were created by assessing ing for developing policy instruments and integrated how well each manifestation goes together with all forest management strategies. It was interviewed manifestation of the other elements. This means the forest managers and stakeholders implemented that the complexity of assessing the plausibility of in Teteven case study. The answers of question- an overall future situation was broken down into a naire revealed the factors influencing forest man- high number of smaller assessments. With software agement which are subsequently thematically support the overall coherence of every single com- summarized in STEEP table. The STEEP table of bination was calculated and ranked, thus identifying factors is extended by the structural factors affect- those combinations that had the highest internal ing forestry on macro (the EU) level (e.g. “Impact of coherence, i.e. which could be considered as plau- selected structural factors on the forest-based sec- sible and internally consistent. Finally, a set of sce- tor in the European Union” prepared by Fraunhofer narios was selected – each of them can be consid- MOEZ and University of Freiburg) and on meso ered as being plausible, while differing from the (Bulgaria) level. others in a meaningful way. By describing not only The extended list of factors and its ranking was one but 3 scenarios, the range of possible future obtained and discussed by the members of team developments for Teteven is highlighted. and by external experts from Executive Forest In this article are present the final four scenarios Agency. The outcome of this meeting was a list of (Full Scenarios) that - in their synopsis-emphasize 21 factors affecting forest management in Teteven how open the future of Teteven really is. Each of case study area [10, 11]. These factors are used them illustrates the relevancy of the previously during the workshops with stakeholders and for the gained research results by making them part of a structural analysis. Bulgaria is represented by two true-to-life narration. case study areas (Yundola and Teteven) in the INTEGRAL project. Full scenarios to future development for Tete- The scenario development process included in ven the meetings of the research team was to define Scenario S0: No management (Theoretical) (NoM) the method of organisation of scenario-building This scenario is theoretical and is motivated by workshops and the approach for the structural the expectation on a society to drastic changes in analysis. After that, the scenario-building work- climate and ecosystems such as forests the impos- shops were planned for Yundola case study area sibility to adapt to them. Stakeholders cannot imag- and for Teteven case study area. Participants for ine giving up wood and products thereof, as well as the both workshops were selected based on their non-timber forest resources, both local and national interest into research topic expressed during per- level. Forestry and forest industry determined life formed interviews within the phase. During the and employment to nearly 20% of the population workshops were discussed and described the main the country. This option implies the limitation of all factors that influence on the forest management in activities in the forest and should be accompanied Teteven. The main 21 factors are marked as dy- by financial subsidies for loss of income from forest namic/critical factors and were defined on the base owners. This is possible only in theory, because on of the structural analysis [10]. Consensus on influ- the one hand, is very difficult to find funds to be encing factors among all participants helped the compensated the owners and the other hand wood research team to select key factors affecting the products of it and non-timber forest products cannot future forest management in Teteven case study be completely replaced by other products. Second area [12]. reason was the leading role of environmental fac- Using this information as a starting point, the tors, and especially climate changes. Studies of next steps were about the actual creation of the climate change indicators in Bulgaria in the period scenarios. Whenever possible, the previously iden- of last 40 years shows a steady increasing trend in tified key factors have been aggregated into 'ele- the average annual temperature by 1.5 degrees ments'. These elements are the material the sce- and reduce the annual rainfall of 50-100 mm. Pre- narios are made of. They are the issues that can be dictions for the future in worse variant are for aver- considered as crucial for the future development age annual temperature increase with 4 degrees and reduce average annual rainfall of 150-200 mm.

21 SCENARIOS OF DEVELOPMENT OF FOREST LANDSCAPES

Combinations of extreme periods of drought and forest regeneration with motivation to plant tree high temperatures or pouring of the annual rainfall species suitable to the area and resistant to the in a very short period of time become more fre- impacts of climate change. Some territories were quent. More and more often are registered phase even left to the successive self-development. Tend- changes of phenological development of the planta- ing interventions were oriented either towards sig- tion and plant shifting climatic zones in height. This nificant strengthening of ecological stability of even- trend in the case will have a major impact on forest aged stands, or towards introduction and preserva- landscapes and the object of study, as Teteven are tion of even-aged forest’s conversion into more located at medium altitude over a wide range from diverse one (uneven-aged forest with natural com- 800 to 1800 m, where the changes will be signifi- position of tree species). As a result, the proportion cant in the zone up to 800 m. Two positive devel- of young forest stands increased, which in turn opments supported this vision. First, available fund- caused decreased reproduction felling. In some ing to National Strategic Plan of Rural Development cases continuous tree or group reproduction felling increased for 2014-2020 [7, 9]. As a consequence, was applied. The disagreement between foresters the most financial instruments (including compen- and environmentalists on disputed territories did not sation and subsidies) for forestry and nature con- turn into the decades of ongoing conflict that many servation measures were appropriately supported. had feared. In fact, quite the opposite: strong eco- Second, together with strong societal demand for nomic growth returned in force across Europe in nature conservation, the political interest shaped general and in Bulgaria in particular. The progress forest policy in favour of environmental policy. The and available funds invited range of solutions and politically enforced environmental paradigm based progressive ideas concerning growing demand for on limitation of man’s interference was the result. nature conservation. Inspired by the success of The disagreement between foresters and environ- similar projects in other countries, the government, mentalists on disputed territories was subsequently state forest enterprises, administration of protected resolved as compensation for the impossibility of areas and NGOs acted together and launched with management was ensured to the private forest a new vision of creating a national forest manage- owners. At first, these strong changes in policy laid ment policy in the area. All participating sides the groundwork for reclassification of all production commonly agreed that the best roadmap to the forests into fully protected forests. Coordinated vision concerning nature conservation was rewild- efforts to tackle nature conservation, particularly ing of the area, especially around National park biodiversity maintenance and utilization of recrea- “Centralen Balkan”. The stakeholders in Teteven tional, hunting, water-management and scientific area have expectation of strong economic, societal functions of forests, took hold. This invited some and environmental benefits to the area. Second changes in the organization of forest management reason was the leading role of environmental fac- and landscape protection. The big part of produc- tors, and especially climate changes. Studies of tion forests were transformed into NATURA 2000 climate change indicators in Bulgaria in the period plots. of last 40 years shows a steady increasing trend in the average annual temperature by 1.5 degrees Scenario S1: Ecology and close to nature (ECO) and reduce the annual rainfall of 50-100 mm. Com- Active management ‐ Biodiversity maintenance binations of extreme periods of drought and high In phase 1 it was found high influence of public temperatures or pouring of the annual rainfall in a opinion on the management and protection of for- very short period of time become more frequent. ests. The tendency is that role of the NGOs will More and more often are registered phase changes increase, which is the core of the selection of this of phenological development of the plantation and scenario [6]. The systematic strengthening of the plant shifting climatic zones in height. This trend in sustainability and ecological stability of forests are the case will have a major impact on forest land- necessary. Particularly, sustainability and close-to- scapes and the object of study, as Teteven are nature forestry were applied in state forests during located at over a wide range of altitude from 800 to the last 25 years. With worsening state of forest 1800 m. There is expected negative impact in lower and fear for sustainability there was not much to zone up to 800 m and positive impact of climate choose from. Specifically, finer ways of manage- change, which is expected to forests located be- ment increased the range of changes in damaged tween 1000 and 1500 meters above sea level [8]. stands with non-original tree species, and in- These studies of the influence of environmental creased range of transfers from clear cut to shel- factors require a change of management which terwood and selection system with the ambition for covers all silvicultural systems - logging, technology their natural regeneration. As frequency of calami- and equipment for all activities in the forests. The ties increased, applied was more massive artificial technology improvement and equipment moderni- zation directly depends on the technological factors.

22 Ivan Paligorov, Stanislava Kovacheva, Elena Dragozova, Ivaylo Ivanov

From one point of view this technology can be the way that forests would reach their natural condi- made and delivered, and from the other, it has been tions. This leads to either economic development. motivated by economic factors, and in particular of In the context of applied innovations in woodwork- financial availability. The EU grants play significant ing industry in the last 24 years, lack of financial role to facilitate access of financial resources, pro- resources and now lack of timber resources, espe- vided free of charge program for rural development cially beech sawn wood, many business were on from the RDP (2014-2020) and National Develop- the brink of their existence with many forced to shut ment Plan (NDP 2020). Facilitating access rules their capacities by 2020. Taking together, the situa- and providing financial resources of NDP and RDP tion on the timber and biomass market, and other is enshrined among the priorities in the Bulgaria societal requirements for ecosystem services had Rural Development Plan 2014-2020. Two positive no impact on the management of the area. The part developments supported this vision. First, available of production forests were involved into NATURA funding of National Strategic Plan for Rural Devel- 2000 plots. As nice as it sounded, compensation for opment increased for the period 2014-2020. As a financial loss due to nature protection restriction consequence, the most financial instruments (in- was not enough to fulfil expectations of forest own- cluding compensation and subsidies) for forestry ers that would match lost income from timber and and nature conservation measures will be appropri- biomass production. As funds of National Strategic ately supported. Second, together with strong so- Plan of Rural Development slowly drifted by 2020, cietal demand for nature conservation, the political the long awaited income from protected concept interest shaped forest policy in favour of environ- was more than welcomed. Although politically was mental policy. The politically enforced environ- fully implemented the conservation paradigm stat- mental paradigm based on limitation of man’s inter- ing that the natural evolution of the ecosystem is ference was the result. In other words, existence of homeostatic and the best means of ensuring the finances for compensation for financial loss due to ecological stability of forest is in the strengthening nature protection restrictions on one hand and of its biodiversity, finances supporting such para- strong societal demand on the other hand, lead to digm became limited also to the state forest enter- the legal enforcement of nature protection in favour prise. As the share and uptake of forestry measures over economic interests of current forest owners. within the Rural Development policy supported an Hence, the disagreement between foresters and introduction, some employment opportunities were environmentalists on disputed territories was sub- added. After 2020 when the word concerning sequently resolved as compensation for the impos- rewilding spread around, the vision started to fulfil sibility of management was ensured to the private not only conservational but also its economic and forest owners. At first, these strong changes in societal goals. Focus of promotion of the rewilding policy laid the groundwork for classification of all area was threefold: tourism, hunting and nature production forests. Coordinated efforts to tackle protection. Thousand meters of elevation difference nature conservation, particularly biodiversity main- laid ground for experiencing an amazing variety of tenance and utilization of recreational, hunting, fauna and flora of the area. water-management and scientific functions of forests, took hold. This invited some changes in forest Scenario S2: Traditional management (Business as management organization in the area. For instance, usual ‐ BU) Active management – worsened state this decreased also political impact and influence of of forests traditional lobbying groups concerning timber busi- This is the most likely scenario, which is rec- ness. Reduced political dependency enabled state ommended and desired by all stakeholders. This forest enterprise and municipality forest directorate scenario allows of sustainable forest and forestry, to better manage forest resources as well as its woodworking and furniture industry development, functions. The active interventions of state and which is highly developed in the region. This option municipality forests were permitted to a minor ex- implies the use of preservation of the state, munici- tent only on the naturally less valuable parts and pal and private forests in the long term, and is peripheral territories with changed trees composi- based on the sustainable increase of demand for tion or in poor health conditions, in order to speed wood and other forest products. This scenario was up the conversion to the close-to-nature status. developed based on the understanding of the pub- Management activities were permitted also in sur- lic for the balanced development of forests and roundings of the rivers and water protected areas. forestry, which is based on sustainable timber pro- The reason behind was ensuring and strengthening duction and climate change that are within the now the fulfilment of clean water and recreational func- established. It is imperative to keep the current tions which are expected from the stakeholders. state of the forests. The amendment of the timber Otherwise active management was applied. The market is sustainable for the benefit of slow and goal was to implement active forest management in

23 SCENARIOS OF DEVELOPMENT OF FOREST LANDSCAPES gradual increase in demand. To maximize the also because of critical situation in wood processing benefit can happen if provide easy access to finan- industry. Specifically, the price of input resources cial resources. This will allow improving the tech- increased as faster as price of production causing nologies performed in silvicultural activities. The pressure on effectiveness in this industry sector. In systematic strengthening of the sustainability and the context of applied innovations in the last 24 ecological stability of forests are necessary. Par- years, now lack of finances and now lack of timber ticularly, sustainability and close-to-nature forestry resources, especially beech sawn wood, many were applied in state forests during the last 25 business were on the brink of their existence with years. With worsening state of forest and fear for many forced to shut their capacities by 2020. Tak- sustainability there was not much to choose from. ing together, the situation on the timber and bio- Specifically, finer ways of management increased mass market, and other societal requirements for the range of changes in damaged stands with non- ecosystem services had no impact on the man- original tree species, and increased range of trans- agement of the area. Depressed economic activity, fers from clear cut to shelterwood and selection combined with expensive strengthening of ecologi- system with the ambition for their natural regenera- cal stability of forests had by 2040 dramatic conse- tion. As frequency of calamities increased, applied quences. State forest enterprise and municipality was more massive artificial forest regeneration with directorate were under economic pressure. Institu- motivation to plant tree species suitable to the area tional change within state forest enterprise and in and resistant to the impacts of climate change. municipality directorate finally became a reality. Some territories were even left to the successive Specifically, forest administrations were reformed self-development. Tending interventions were ori- and dominant role of state and municipality was ented either towards significant strengthening of redefined [13, 14]. This decreased also political ecological stability of even-aged stands, or towards impact and influence of traditional lobbying groups introduction and preservation of even-aged forest’s concerning timber business. Increased nature pro- conversion into more diverse one (uneven-aged tection and biodiversity justified the fact that pas- forest with natural composition of tree species). As sive management was optimal for the ecological a result, the proportion of young forest stands instability of forests, but economically this became creased, which in turn caused decreased reproduc- unsustainable. Thus by 2040, new ways out of this tion felling. In some cases continuous tree or group situation were sought. With opportunity frozen in reproduction felling was applied. Due to deteriora- timber production, lack of compensation and/or tion of the age structure of forest, representation of subsidies for nature protection and limited income mature stands dramatically decreased. This was from other services, new actors using this situation mainly due to general decline in stock and quality of for their advantage emerged [1, 4]. wood, and decline in share of even-aged stands. As a consequence, the strategic planning was very Scenario S3: Maximum potential benefit (MPB) unreliable and tactical plans were subject to sub- Active management – Maximum wood production stantial adaptive revisions. This, in turn, led to the This scenario reflects the understanding of soci- fracturing income mainly because of temporary ety to increase potential yields from forests. As a retreat from even felling and because of climbing result of climate change and its positive impact on management costs, especially forest tending and forests between 1000 and 1500 m above sea level regeneration costs. There were other downsides, in Teteven is possible to increase the sustainable as the volume of rotation felling decreased and use of forests, reaching their maximum perform- investment opportunities were thus limited by the ance. Perception of this scenario has as necessary lower income and improvement in technologies was prerequisite the preservation of the condition of only a wish. However, the negative trend was oc- forests and increasing demand for wood and non- curred in steady worsing of state of road infrastruc- timber forest resources. Maximum timber produc- ture as a result of lack of finances for forest road tion mandatory be based on the use of the modern rehabilitation and reconstruction. These dire cir- equipment and technology, a prerequisite for which cumstances along with societal pressure naturally is easier access to financial resources for invest- increased the importance of the fulfilling of other ment. The positive developments in timber and services as their implementation was at risk. Par- biomass markets result in increasing income for ticularly clean water function was endangered in the forest owners. Improving economic situation of whole area as stands started decaying. Generally, forest owners expected due to increased policy the trade-off between sustainability and timber pro- coherence and mutual cross sectorial coordination. duction was costly. Most of the forest owners could Better accessibility of compensation for financial no longer afford their lock-in costs. Income from loss resulting from nature protection restrictions timber production was limited not only because of and/or fulfilment of other ecosystem services (e.g. restricted production base and wood resources, but water management, clean water, CO2). Better

24 Ivan Paligorov, Stanislava Kovacheva, Elena Dragozova, Ivaylo Ivanov availability of subsidies through Rural Development found. On one hand, the reassessment of protected policies, new programs will introduce new support- areas resulted in reduction of conservation area. ing schemes (e.g. new art of financing of biodiver- On the other hand, compensation for financial loss sity and offering of non-forest services; plans for due to nature protection restrictions was entirely payments for climate-friendly forest land use; for paid to forest owners. Put it differently, rural devel- water management and/or reducing CO2). In 2013, opment policy with its new supporting schemes lost the long awaited innovation in use of hardwood in its declarative character. Second, due to limited construction sector finally launched. These devel- financial resources for compensation as well as opments were quickly implemented in architecture increased push from wood processing industry the and subsequently into concept of green buildings share of production forests increased. Taking to- leading to higher use of wood beams as well as to gether, the necessary talk was driven by economic improvements in use of composite materials among motivation. Generated profits from timber trade and others. Not surprisingly, this historic progress at- compensation available to the sector notably in- tracted new investments into beech processing creased political impact and influence of various capacities in nearby area as predominance of de- lobbying and business groups. These strong forces ciduos species pre-existed for years. Historically, laid the groundwork for forest policy. Thus, political large deciduos, especially beech processing ca- advocacy strategies concerning conservation were pacities were present in the area, however, many hampered by the economic interests. Given the fundamental changes introduced after 1989 lead to circumstances, it was no surprise that dominated reduction or shut down of part of these capacities. multipurpose forest management with a focus on Although application of new technologies and prod- maximizing of the economic income from forest, on ucts’ innovations was observed also in paper and increasing and stabilizing production of high quality pulp industry (Sviloza Svishtov, Lesoplast Trojan, wood. This allowed for possible formation of reliable Kronospan Veliko Tarnovo) demand for pulp wood plans in strategic time frame of rotation age, which remained stagnant. In contrast, demand for the in turn, lead to normal percentage of forest stand forest biomass and fire wood significantly in- areas and growing stock in age classes within creased. Circumstances concerning gas crisis from framework of classic even-aged forestry. Put differ- 2009 proved instability of gas supplies as well as ently, along with lessening impact of climate lead to increase of energy prices, which forced an change, use of more subtle ways of forest man- introduction of new policies favouring production of agement based on natural conditions generally energy from renewable resources and from wood stabilized and gradually improved the age structure biomass. Particularly, increased demand for bio- of the stands, increased their health conditions, and mass was additionally secured by implementation increased the levels of natural trees composition. of new legislation supporting production of biomass As a result, management costs were under control on fallow agricultural land and on the creation of and the volume and quality of harvest able timber energy forests to name few. This was driven by and biomass rose. This reflected possible invest- demand of operating heating facilities and house- ments into technology fleet renovation and im- holds set up in the boom around 2011-2012. provement of forest road network and other infra- Among the population the strong interest for fuel structure. Especially, appropriate mechanization of wood and biomass remained constant. Renais- work in young forest stands together with improved sance of wood processing industry was generally access into these stands supported biomass pro- driven by favourable climate conditions as average duction and its utilization. An active timber forest temperature increased by 0,3 °C. This not caused management with special focus on maximization of redistribution of forest vegetation zones on the terri- production of timber and on short-term rotation tory of Teteven and it caused may be increase of forestry on small scale was preferred by the state ration of natural composition stands. Thanks to the forest owners. In contrast, small private forest own- stabilization of the climate change, in the political ers applied close to nature management due to sphere dominated economic forest production over their interest into long-term security of continuing forest sustainability. As a consequence, strong income while keeping the costs at minimum. Simi- political enforcement of the economic interests of larly, short-term rotation forestry was conducted on forest owners won over the interests of nature pro- small scale. Beyond doubt the main source of in- tection and conservation. Despite this, the harmoni- come for state, municipality and private forest own- zation of policies was achieved due to following. ers became higher timber qualities I. and II., and First, harmonization reflected consensus in the fire and pulp wood, which prices increased. In the revaluation of protected areas. As in 2004 were case of beech timber the price increased by 19 %. under time pressure inconsistently assigned large Given the circumstances, over the course of 30 territories to protection sites under NATURA 2000, years an economic situation of forest owners due to common agreement on necessary changes was reliable strategic planning stabilized and even im-

25 SCENARIOS OF DEVELOPMENT OF FOREST LANDSCAPES proved. By 2040, full use of the natural production other regions of Bulgaria, with the different specific potential was taken advantage of. Health conditions factors of the any region. of the forests improved due to the following. First, decrease in environmental changes and their im- Acknowledgement pact reduced frequency of occurrence of extreme The work leading to these results has received fund- events. Second, consistent and appropriate man- ing from the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme under grant agreement No FP7-282887. The agement practices guaranteed and lessened nega- results of this research are obtained by work on Interna- tive impacts of ecological disturbances. This al- tional Scientific Project for Future-Oriented Management lowed for concentration of all activities to satisfy the of Forest Landscapes – INTEGRAL (ENV.2011.2.1.6- production function of forests to meet the increased 1/Land Use and European Forest Ecosystems. demand for the timber and biomass resources. Yet http://www.integral-project.eu/). without support of short-term rotation forestry under preservation of the sustainability and ecological References stability this would not be the case. Because of 1. Agenda XXI century. [http://sustainabledevelopment. maximization of production, less emphasis was put un.org/content/documents/Agenda 21.pdf]. Forests and sustainable on the satisfying other ecosystem services. On top 2. Bogdanov, K., Stiptzov, V. development of Teteven municipality. Lotos Publish- of it, due to increased timber stock the fulfilment of ing house. Sofia. 2005. (in Bulgarian) climate regulation, specially the carbon sequestra- 3. Bulgarian provinces and municipalities in 2009. Na- tion function increased, which was positively re- tional Statistical Institute. [(http://www.nsi.bg/otrasa- ceived by the society. Thus, societal pressure on len.php?otr=53&a1=1583&a2=1584&a3=1585#cont]. fulfilment of non-wood ecosystem services re- 4. COST ACTION E51: Integrating Innovation and mained at the level of 2013. This mirrored the situa- Development Policies for the Forest Sector. Country tion, and for instance, no change in mushrooms Reports. [http://www.boku.ac.at/coste51/documents/ volume or berries was recorded. Also number of country%20reports%20nov%2007/Countryreport_ tourists or hunting activities did not changed. Fur- SK_finaLVersion.pdf]. 5. Europe 2020 - A European strategy for smart, sus- thermore, clean water function remained in the tainable and inclusive growth. European Commis- responsibility of state forest enterprise and munici- sion. 2010. [http://ec.europa.eu/eu2020/pdf/COM- pality directorate as a lot of rivers are located within PLET%20EN%20BARROSO%20%20%20007%20- their property. Relative stand density index for the %20Europe%202020%20-%20EN%20version.pdf]. whole research area stayed at the same level as no 6. European landscape convention. 2000. increase in young forests was recorded. Conse- [http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/heritage/Lan quently, economic security was easier as the socie- dscape/default_en.asp]. tal demand for implementation of other non- 7. Forestry act. State Gazette 125/1997. (in Bulgarian). International trade statistics. Trade by regions. production services of forest did not increase. Be- 8. WTO. Geneva. 2007. [https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/ sides, from the perspective of forest owners’ eco- statis_e/its2008 _e/its2008 .pdf]. nomic importance of non-wood ecosystem services 9. National Strategy for Sustainable Development of weakened in comparison to the production function Forestry Sector in Bulgaria, 2013-2020. of their forest. In other words, the motivation for 10. Paligorov, I, Galev, E., Ivanov, I., Dragozova, E., fulfilment of non-wood ecosystem services de- Kovacheva, St., Sotirov, M. Analysis of Drivers and creased. By 2040, despite some societal pressure Barriers to Sustainable Land use Management in to guide smart active management, it became clear Teteven and Yundola. WP 3.1 Case Study Reports that soon or later rapid economic growth cannot for Bulgaria. Publishing House at University of For- continue without consideration of other services. estry. Sofia. 2014. 11. Paligorov, I, Galev, E., Stiptzov, V., Kostov, G., Sall- nas, O., Kovacheva, St., Ivanov, I., Dragozova, E., Conclusions Sotirov, M. Integated Forest Management Scenarios Developed scenarios were presented to stake- in Teteven and Yundola. WP 3.2 Case Study Re- holders. The results of the overall research on the ports for Bulgaria. Publishing House at University of one hand served to develop a management plan for Forestry. Sofia. 2014. the forests on the territory of the Teteven. On the 12. Pillkahn, U. Using Trends and Scenarios as Tools for other side it was used for formulating proposals for Strategy Development. John Wiley & Sons. 2008. policy change in management of forest landscapes. 13. Yovkov, I., Paligorov, I., Aleksova, N. Issues Related to the New Economic Organization of the Forestry They were identified specific measures to improve Sector . Journal of Management and Sustainable De- the communication policy. velopment. 2002. 3-4. pp. 18-25. (in Bulgarian). The methodology used to develop scenarios 14. Stipcov, V., Mavrov, K., Petrov, R., Trifonova, M. and policies on management of forest landscapes Management of Public and Private Forests. Journal at the regional level allows developing scenarios for of Management and Sustainable Development. 2000. 1. pp. 40-45. (in Bulgarian).