The woods in the forest

Today, around 40% of the Bregenzerwald with its 23 villages is forest. The forests are very important to the Bregenzerwald and its cultivated landscape and show how sustainability is actually being lived in the region. It has been a priority for generations of forest owners to exercise far-sightedness in the management of their resources. Forest health and climate-resilience has become increasingly important more recently.

The forest shapes the landscape and makes the changing seasons apparent. Many trees come into bloom in spring. They provide shade and protect from the heat in summer. Then they display of a wide range of different colours during the autumn before presenting their romantic side in the snow-covered winter landscapes. People take pleasure from forests throughout the year. Forests are a benefit to health, are the habitat for many species of plants and animals and protect villages from avalanches, landslides and floods. They act like air-conditioning systems and constitute the source of the raw materials that architects and craftspeople are able to employ so skilfully. Forests are also a source of many a culinary delicacy.

Specifics of the Bregenzerwald’s forests

All forests in the Bregenzerwald are held in (small-scale) private ownership. They’re not the property of the government or large landowners as is usually the case in other states in Austria.

The predominant species of tree are spruce, beech and silver fir. Silver fir makes up to 80% of the forests in the Lower Bregenzerwald.

The Bregenzerwald’s forests stand out for their multi-functional character. They fulfil the four classic functions of a forest in a balanced way.

• They are commercial forests and are used to generate income. Service roads have been built for access and some of these are open to hikers and mountain bikers. They may, however, sometimes be closed when work is in progress.

• The forests are freely accessible recreational spaces for people and at the same time animal habitats. That’s why visitors to the forests are always asked to treat them and their residents with respect. People should only visit forests during the day to ensure that animals are given the peace and plants the protection that they need. ‘Forest rules’ also include keeping dogs on their leads and sticking to marked trails when hiking and snow-shoeing.

• Virtually all forests are also protective. They protect villages, houses and roads from avalanches, landslides and floods.

• Forests are also sources of good water and clean air, which is their so-called ‘welfare function’.