Speaker
Description
Forest roads are one of the most important components of the infrastructure for forestry in Austria and Europe. They ensure operational efficiency in forest management and the provision of essential ecosystem services, particularly with regard to preserving their multiple functions for society. Forest roads also have a significant impact on the generation of runoff within forested catchments and in downstream areas.
The hydrological effects of forest roads on runoff generation remain insufficiently quantified and depend on various factors. These include construction materials used, cross-section design, longitudinal slope, and roadside drainage design, as well as regular and proper maintenance of forest road networks Furthermore, planning and decision-making processes must incorporate sufficiently detailed information to improve understanding of the hydrological effects on runoff formation and flood risk.
This paper summarizes the empirical evidence from previous studies and outlines the conceptual and methodological approach of the AquaSilva research project, which systematically integrates forest infrastructure into nature-based flood risk management.
The AquaSilva project (2026–2029) is developing transferable methodologies and decision-support tools to implement decentralized water retention measures within forest infrastructure. Through iterative model development (ZEMOKOST and RAVEN), field monitoring campaigns and stakeholder engagement, the project will create practical guidelines and a comprehensive catalogue of measures for forest practitioners and planners. The work packages systematically address the evaluation, spatial design and impact analysis of retention and infiltration elements along forest roads, including skid trails, explicitly considering construction materials, location within catchments and integration into operational forest management.
The project's outputs will provide standardized tools for cross-sectoral planning, enabling forest engineers to select, design and maintain infrastructure that enhances operational efficiency and contributes to flood risk mitigation. This integrated approach bridges the gap between empirical hydrological evidence and practical implementation, positioning forest infrastructure planning as a key component of resilient, nature-based water management in mountain regions.
| Keywords | Hydrology; Retention; Drainage; Flood |
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