Guidelines for recreation as the priority function in the Alps from the German point of view

Guidelines for alpine recreation must be based on the assumption that demands on alpine forests will continue to grow. This goes for the forest as a feature of the alpine landscape as well as for the claims made on it by individual recreational activities. At the same time increasing strain will be placed on alpine forests through tourism, especially due to the fast spreading of trendy sports. Moreover, the extremely difficult economic situation of alpine forestry and private alpine forest owners no longer guarantees the proper tending of alpine forests. This is all the more serious since the requisite silvicultural strategies for protection and recreation forests would involve selection or all-aged cutting measures. Financial support for private forest owners is essential, apart from careful planning and socio-political as well as legal actions ro reduce the strain of tourism on the Alps.