Forests and Climate Change in Czechia: an Appeal to Responsibility

Abstract Forests cover more than one third of the area of Czechia and provide many environmental, economic, social and cultural benefits. Only a small part of the country´s forested area is left to nature. Most Czech forests are managed, with Norway spruce as the main tree species. The ongoing climate change progressively creates new conditions for the functioning of forests as important components of the landscape and providers of ecosystem services for society. Until recently, Czech forestry policy makers had not paid enough attention to climate change. As a result, Czech forests grapple with increasing instability caused by repeated windstorms, droughts and insect plagues. Traditionally applied management methods and rigid business models are not suitable for resolving the situation. Czech forestry thus takes an exceptional position within Europe. The responsibility for the development of the adaptation strategy and sustainable management policy lies in the hands of forestry policy makers. In order to restore stability and to ensure multifunctionality of forests under new climatic conditions, it will be necessary to introduce a new model of forest management. Compared to the traditional forestry model based on age classes, the new management model must be more flexible and better adapted to the new environmental situation. The principles of the new forestry policy should stem from agreement and cooperation of the forestry sector with scientific and nature protection institutions, as well as from an active discussion within society. The starting point of the change are the documents Strategy of Adaptation to Climate Change under the Conditions of the Czech Republic and National Action Plan, elaborated in 2016 and 2017 by the Ministry of the Environment, and the Strategic Framework Czech Republic, approved by the Czech government. The chosen adaptation strategy and its implementation must not only restore the stability of forests, but also improve the future position of the Czech forestry sector among European countries.