Local population puts pressure on political bodies which have to take action (development of plans, technical and financial support schemes) for securing relevant environmental and social benefits.

• The Austrian Forest Act and the Rural Development Programme is a useful model for incentivising good silvicultural practices (for mountain forestry).
• Yet, some degree of conflicting interests between stakeholders remain: Damage caused by game animals as well as support measures for alpine pastures (‘clearance’ of forests) are identified as major factors negatively impacting the protection function.
• Climate change and the increase of natural hazard incidents will likely aggravate the challenges for protective mountain forests.