Economic evaluation of the protective function of mountain forests: A case study from the Italian Alps

Although the importance at the political level of protection functions of forests is recognised, especially for mountain forests, and its value represents the most part of the Total Economic Value, only few studies attempt to estimate the economic value of the protection function for Alpine forests. Given this state of the art this paper presents the results of an estimation of this function in Trentino, a mountainous province on the Italian side of the Alps. The procedure adopted is to evaluate the Substitution Value of forests that protect against landslides and avalanches and safeguard water resources. Results confirm the huge value this function assumes in the Alpine forests. Finally the usefulness of this kind of methodology is emphasised, both in forest planning and management and in evaluating policies.