An economic-ecological controlling concept for landscape management in Austria

When it comes to the issue of multifunctional landscapes, the pivotal question is how to organise state-managed interventions in search of a balance of productive, ecological and recreational functions to guarantee a high societal wellbeing. The paper presents the findings of a recently finished research project on successful policy making in Austrian landscape management. The project results in a controlling concept for an ecologically effective and economically efficient landscape management. Landscape and nature conservation are policies with limited financial and personnel resources. Control of management can help with the allocation of funds and manpower to maximise ecological benefits. The suitability and feasibility to implement the proposed controlling measures were discussed with decision makers from the Austrian nature and landscape conservation authorities.