Strategic Action Plan for Climate-Smart Forest Connectivity Published
The Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention is pleased to announce the publication of the Strategic Action Plan with Adaptation Actions and Climate Resilience-Enhancing Forest Management Practices for Protected Areas, developed by the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (FH Kärnten) within the framework of the international ForestConnect project under the Interreg Danube Region Programme.
The publication provides practical guidance for strengthening ecological corridors and habitats for large carnivores across the Carpathian, Dinaric, and Balkan mountain regions. It addresses increasing pressures caused by climate change, habitat fragmentation, infrastructure development, and growing human-wildlife interactions.
Additionally, the Secretariat kindly invites the stakeholders to disseminate the SAP as widely as possible within the respective networks, institutions, and professional communities, in order to maximize outreach and support its uptake across the region.
The Strategic Action Plan presents 17 concrete actions structured under four thematic areas:
- Infrastructure and Ecological Connectivity
- Habitat Protection and Management
- Management Aspects for Climate Resilience
- Human-Wildlife Coexistence
The proposed measures include wildlife-friendly infrastructure design, restoration of disturbed forests, enhancement of structural forest diversity, adaptive grazing management, integrated bark beetle response, and digital monitoring systems for early warning of human-wildlife conflicts.
Particular attention is given to the conservation needs of large carnivores, including wolves, lynx, and bears, whose long-term survival depends on connected and climate-resilient habitats across national borders.
The Strategic Action Plan was prepared by experts from the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences – UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Management of Conservation Areas, in cooperation with partners from seven Eastern and Southeastern European countries.
By combining scientific research, field experience, and stakeholder engagement, the publication offers adaptable and transferable approaches for protected area managers, forestry authorities, landowners, and conservation practitioners.
Climate change continues to affect forest ecosystems, species distribution, and wildlife movement patterns throughout the region. The Strategic Action Plan contributes to the integration of climate adaptation into biodiversity conservation and forest management practices, supporting long-term ecological stability in the Danube region.
The ForestConnect project aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation, develop innovative monitoring tools, and improve climate-smart forest connectivity for large carnivores.
For further information about the Strategic Action Plan, please review the dedicated Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (FH Kärnten) webpage or contact the lead institution directly:
- Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, Elisabeth Wiegele (e.wiegele@cuas.at), Villach, Austria
The Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention welcomes this contribution to strengthening climate-resilient forest management and ecological connectivity across mountain regions in Europe.
