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This book provides a state-of-the-art overview covering distinct and relevant aspects of forest policy processes in Europe, presenting a fresh perspective on different analytical approaches, theories, and frameworks.Set against the background of a changing world, driven by significant social, environmental, and economic developments, in Europe and elsewhere, there is a growing need for an improved understanding of forest governance and how to analyse the forest policymaking processes. This book introduces the reader to some of the key issues typically encountered in reviewing proposed as well as established forest policies, focusing on five socially relevant topics for the forest-based sector today, namely: European forest governance under a green new deal Systemic changes and the circular (bio-)economy Social changes connected with forest ownership and forest actors Nature conservation and the pursuit of multifunctional forests Living with forest fires and climate change. In so doing, this book presents a set of timely and rich case studies relevant to the study of forest governance. In the final chapter, it puts forward an innovative and systematic method for selecting the most appropriate analytical tool that accounts for the constraints and objectives involved in monitoring forest policy. The book is accompanied by chapter-level exercises and online Support Material which details the various approaches, theories, and frameworks discussed in the book, providing direct links back to individual chapters, discussion points, and a step-by-step guide for how each method can be applied.This book will be an essential read for forestry students and scholars, and professionals and policymakers working on forest policy and forest management.

This book offers perspectives on how to develop a sustainable global balance of urbanization, land-use intensification, land abandonment, and multifunctional cultural landscapes. The focus is on the latter by describing the large variety of traditional cultural landscapes having evolved through centuries or even millennia by the use of the natural, terrestrial and aquatic resources. Those cultural landscapes encompass pasture, agroforestry, terraced, irrigation, coastal, monastic, and sacred landscapes as well as lake-, river-, and saltscapes. The restoration of low-input land-use systems which often carry a high biodiversity on the species, ecosystem, and landscape level as well as agrobiodiversity and agrodiversity is outlined. The restoration of multifunctional and diverse landscapes, however, is not only an ecological issue but encompasses many socio-economic aspects such as e.g., the revitalization of villages, eco-tourism, healthy food production, infrastructure, and rural-urbanpartnerships.Global environmental problems, which are related to urbanization and the intensification of the use of land and water resources are comprehensively outlined. Land abandonment which occurs on all continents is qualitatively and quantitatively assessed and the consequences for natural and cultural heritage loss is highlighted. With the presentation of current rural development and landscape conservation strategies on the national as well as international level, the topic reflects the high significance of environmental policy on the global scale. The global implementation of natural and cultural heritage conservation is, for example, given by the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, National Parks, Biosphere Reserves, Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Sites, High Nature Value Farmland, and the Satoyama initiative. However, also the “every-day” landscapes can contribute to biodiversity and strong sustainability.This comprehensive compendium, based on about 4,000 references of scientific studies, literature reviews, project reports, and environmental policy papers is thought for all students, scholars, and stakeholders from multifaceted disciplines, interested in multifunctional cultural landscapes and how traditions and innovation on the landscape level can be merged for a sustainable future on our planet. Case studies from all over the world are presented which can be used in Higher Education or to demonstrate the numerous approaches of sustainable rural development.