Work

Understanding societal priorities for forest ecosystem services: Survey insights from 'Forestry Days 2024' in Slovakia

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Understanding society's demand for forest ecosystem services (FES) is crucial for effective forest management and the development of supportive instruments, such as payments for ecosystem services (PES). This study surveyed visitors at 'Forestry Days 2024' in Slovakia through face-to-face questionnaires, capturing their views on FES and necessary management changes. Results show that regulating services and biodiversity are prioritised over cultural and provisioning FES. Respondents indicated a clear need for changes in forest management to reflect their FES preferences. Notably, perceptions of specific FES varied by gender, age, forestry background, and forest ownership but not by residence type. Public PES were considered the most acceptable policy for enhancing FES management, providing valuable insight for aligning public preferences with sustainable practices in Slovakia.

Source: Journal of Forest Science

DOI: 10.17221/7/2025-jfs

Authors: Zuzana Sarvašová, Jozef Pajtík, Zuzana Dobšinská

Institutions: Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, National Forest Centre, Technická univerzita vo Zvolene

Language: English

Topic: Forest Management and Policy

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Agentúra na Podporu Výskumu a Vývoja, Vedecká Grantová Agentúra MŠVVaŠ SR a SAV, Ministerstvo Zemědělství, Ministerstvo Pôdohospodárstva a Rozvoja Vidieka Slovenskej Republiky