Project number: CRP V4-2212
Project duration: 36 months (1. 10. 2022 – 30. 9. 2025)
Overall budget: 250.000 €
Cofinancing: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food (50 %) and Slovenian Research And Innovation Agency (50 %)
Lead partner: Slovenian Forestry Institute
Partner: Hidrotehnik d.o.o.; mag. Jože Papež
Forests in torrential areas are highly susceptible to erosion processes due to altered natural tree composition and increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events. In the long-term, this can lead to decrease in the productive capacity of forest stands and a reduced provision of hydrologic and protective functions of forests. Therefore, forest management in torrential areas should pay special attention to soil erosion and erosion control measures, both in terms of construction and maintenance of forest infrastructure and silvicultural measures.
This project aims to fill the gaps in forest management in torrential areas. The forestry sector needs guidelines and tailored measures for forest management in torrential areas that address silvicultural measures to ensure the forest stand stability and increased erosion control, to reduce the risk of woody debris along and in the torrential streams, and to address the specifics of forest road construction in torrential areas. The main objectives and purpose of this project are as follows:
- Definition of the term "torrential areas" and development of a method for identifying torrential areas in Slovenia,
- Development of a method and criteria for classification of torrential areas in Slovenia,
- Determining how to produce maps of torrential areas for Slovenia,
- Elaboration of guidelines and measures for forest management in torrential areas,
- Elaboration of a proposal for (co-)financing of forest management measures in torrential areas,
- Conducting research in the field of erosion control, with proposals for measures and solutions that provide such protection,
- Developing guidelines or starting points for amending the Forest Act that would provide a legal basis for measures in forested torrential areas.
Project work plan
The project activities are divided into five work packages (WPs). In addition to WP1, which will address the organisation and financial management of the project, WP2 will define what torrential areas are and develop a method for their identification. Subsequently, criteria and classification of forested torrential areas will be developed and methodology for mapping forested torrential areas in Slovenia will be proposed. These maps will be produced in the selected pilot area. Within WP3, we will conduct a survey and develop a catalogue of appropriate measures and technical solutions for erosion control in forests that are feasible and recommended for forest owners. We will also conduct a survey of current (co-)financing options and develop a proposal to improve the system of (co-)financing forest management measures in torrential areas. In WP4, we will prepare guidelines or starting points for the amendment of the Forest Act, which would provide the legal basis for measures in forested torrential areas. In WP5, we will organise events for knowledge and information sharing among stakeholders and the public, and establish a project website and social media profiles. The project work will be carried out in cooperation with stakeholders and the general public, representatives of ministries, Slovenian Forest Service, experts in the field of water management, public service providers of water management, SiDG, University of Ljubljana, etc..